Roketa -54-250B Won't start By markoengine (Read 5,473 times)

[markoengine]

I have a 2008 Roketa 250cc and I purchased it in Jan. from a private party. It ran just fine on that day and I was able to ride it around outside as it was 50 that day. I just went home with it after that in my trailer, then to my heated garage. I went out to start it yesterday and it will crank but not start. I have read the other examples of problems and wonderd if I might be experiencing the same valve issues. I just am not sure where to start on the engine. Should I replace the fuel, although it was new in Jan. and should be ok? Do you believe I am having the same valve issues as others, although I only have about 2 miles on it since the purchase in Jan. when it ran just fine?

[Alleyoop]

Markoengine,
Welcome to the forum, and do not worry you will be riding. It just takes a few checks and tests to see where and what is causing the problem.
Alleyoop

[speedracer]

He says it cranks so it can't be the kill switch. I would first check for spark. Remove the plug ground it to a piece of metal and turn it over. If you get a blue spark, then it could be a fuel issue. My 2 cents.

[Alleyoop]

It could still be the Kill Switch all that does is ground the CDI out so that no voltage gets to the spark plug.
So the first check would be to check if the Spark Plug is getting juice, if it is then move on to see if it is getting gas to the Carb and see if gas is getting down the intake, then check the valves.
Alleyoop

[Cruiser]

Welcome to Scooter Doc, number 1200. Nice catch on the kill switch, speedracer. After sitting for almost 3 months, two things will usually happen.

1. The battery will usually be weak through self discharge. It sounds like the battery must have been maintained since it cranks over the engine well?

2. The carb tends to dry out. This style scoot has a vacuum fuel pump which requires the engine to be running in order to pump fuel. Sometimes just cranking the engine when the carb is dry will not produce a decent fuel flow to fill the carb. You might try spraying some carb cleaner into the air inlet of the carb to see if it starts. This is probably easier than checking for spark. It would be unusual for the spark to disappear while sitting in a heated garage?

If the spray doesn't work, then you can do the spark check.

[Alleyoop]

OOOPS!! I was going by how mine Kill Switch Works, mine I can have the Kill Switch ON and I can still crank it but it will NOT fire. Also on mine I can just turn the Key on and put all the lights on Headlights, Brights all electricals come on.
Alleyoop

[speedracer]

Hey, I was right on something. 3 cheers. Cruiser is right if the carb has dried out. I just changed my fuel pump and fuel line from 3/16 to a 1/4" and used the drain screw to remove the gas from the carb. Once I hooked up the new line it took quite a few turns to pump up enough gas to start it. Actually it almost drained my fully charged battery before it finally started.

[Cruiser]

Thanks for the added info, speedracer. Another factor is that it was stored in a heated garage which would tend to evaporate the fuel faster. If the engine does start with the carb cleaner, then it should produce enough of its own gas flow to keep running.

[F2rgk]

at the bottom of the engine, by the left side of the swing arm, is an aluminum looking fitting with a brass screw at the bottom of it,.....unscrew it a lil' bit and see if fuel comes out. If so, be sure it's clear! If it's brown,...drain the fuel, and clean the carb! The pilot jet is probably clogged not allowing fuel to enter. If you dont have that fitting, just remove the carb and inspect internally. Just by turning it upside down will cause fuel to leak and you'll see the same result. Everything you've described as a symptom relates to bad fuel!

[scooterran]

Now lets all go back to old school on this one and find the problem. First, lets unscrew the spark plug, hook the wire back up and set it against a ground. Do you have aa spark when you turn the engine over ? If the answer is "yes" then lets go on to #2. The easyest way to find out if you're not getting any fuel is to back out your spark plug, shoot some gas in on the valves, replace the spark plug and turn the engine over. If it kicks over and runs for a second then you have a fuel delivery problem in the carb or a posible fuel pump problem.Try this several times to make sure thats the problem. When you get the scoot running. get some SEA FOAM and use it as an additive to your fuel. It is recomended to use 1 oz per gallon of fuel.