Squirrels in the Rear Wheel?? (updated title) By fataldegree (Read 2,670 times)

[fataldegree]

I have a 2012 Tao Tao ATM50-A

New to scooters for the most part... I have been trying to be diligent and do proper maintenance (not one of my strengths)...but I've put so many miles on this thing in such a short time, I know I haven't been as on the ball as I should've been.

It sounds like a family of squirrels is fighting in my gearbox(?) pardon my ignorance to correct terminology. All I have is guesses at what these parts are called. It is (best I can tell) coming from the housing where I changed the gear oil.

I have put 2801 km on this thing in two months. It is my daily driver, and I push it on a daily basis. I rarely keep it under the red line. I'm always doing 40mph when I can get it.

I also notice that it either uses or leaks oil. There isn't a leak spot on the ground, and I never notice any smoke when it's running. Have had the plastic body off once and no mess anywhere... Is there supposed to be a gasket seal on the oil plug? Maybe it's leaking out there when I am moving??

Any info would be great. I would be happy to take pics and vids if anyone thinks they can help. I'm on my own for labor...the almost local shop charged $85 and hour. For that kind of money I could just buy a new scooter when it breaks. Not to mention, I like tinkering on my own!

[sprocket]

Have you checked the level of gear oil in the transmission? It could be low...

You are probably burning engine oil...if you have no leaks... how much oil do you put in when you change the oil? Clean and check around the air filter for oil. Some scooters have a hose running from the valve cover to the air box..it could be plugged...

You should also set the valve gaps..you are way overdue

Pop the cover on the belt andbsee if you can pinpoint the noise..may need to replace the belt..you are about due...much better to replace it than have it break..believe me...

Frankly, these scooters are not designed to run at the red line all the time..it simply
wears our the engine rapidly..you might want to get a 150 and your motorcycle license in the future...

The oil plug and dip stick have black O- rings...you would know if either was leaking

[fataldegree]

--I took the cover off the belt housing today...should I be able to start it while the cover is off?? There is a little toothed gear that comes out and grabs the larger gear, that seems to make a squealy noise. The belt appears to be fine. Looks like a new belt (what limited experience I have with car belts & shop tool belts).
--I just changed the transmission oil, replaced it with 80-w90 in exactly 100mL. I got a syringe to measure.
--Oil leak/burn: I loose about 3 notches on the dipstick every third fuel up (I check oil every time I get gas). Neither the dipstick or the plug have O-rings.

I will check the valve cover for clogs, I haven't done that. As to setting the valve gaps, do you know if there is a youtube vid on how to do that? I really don't know what that is or how to do it.

I agree that I would love something a little bigger. My car broke down and I needed to get to work... $3000 to fix the car which I didn't have anyways...or $850 to have a scooter delivered to my door that very day. I had the scooter street legal before I needed to leave for work.

[sprocket]

That amount of oil use is OK, you ride it hard....the O rings...I don't know...there should be some...but perhaps the newer scoots are different. I would recommend using synthetic 15w/40 in the engine...

Should be able to run the engine with the belt cover off ...there were a few scooters in 2007/8 that you couldn't do that, but they long stopped that B.S.

Yup and you save money on gas, parking, insurance etc, etc..cheaper than a bus pass were I live!

[fataldegree]

I tried to run it with the belt cover off. The little gear at the top left that comes out and grabs the large toothed gear on the bottom left went bonkers and squealed like hell. Thought I was gonna chew teeth off and fly out...put the cover back on and it is fine, but still with squeally noise...I'll have to get a video...

Thankfully zero parking costs anywhere in my town. But the gas and insurance savings is amazing!! Sux riding 20 miles through the country to work in the rain, but I've lived so far. Not looking forward to school starting back up... impatient, bubble headed soccer-moms on cell phones are a menace! I'm considering some flags on poles that angle out...tipped with spark plugs...take chunks out of their windows as they pass dangerously close.

[fataldegree]

Ok, so I tried to do a video that would demonstrate the noise and where it was coming from... you just couldn't hear anything very well. Starting to think it might be coming from the rear wheel. It more pronounced when I first accelerate. When I stop the squeal noise isn't there, but the rear brakes scream with an earsplitting noise.

[sprocket]

Sounds like the clutch is not disengaging..when you are stopped and at idle what happens when you let off the brakes..does the scooter try to move forward?

If it does move you probably have a clutch problem...

[fataldegree]

It doesn't have any creep at idle. Is there anything bearing related that would cause a noise that sounds like someone screaming "squirrely-squirrely-squirrely" in the highest pitch voice you can imagine? I'm trying to figure out how to record the sound when it occurs. I feel like it's something in the rear end. When I have the scoot up in the air it might do a quick chirp/squeal when I rev it as the tire starts to spin...but when my weight is on it, it does the aformentioned squirrely squeal.

I could be way off base...I know it can't be a good thing, and I want to track it down and handle it before it causes more damage and leaves me stranded.

[Bashan]

It sounds like it's the rear axle bearing beacause it's weight bearing and while in motion. Since there's no creep at idle I think the clutch and variator are disengaging properly. Due to your limited experience I'd say you need a mechanic....sorry. Rich

[fataldegree]

Is it really that big a deal doing a rear wheel bearing!?? I was getting ready to check my valve gaps to, do you think I should just take it to a shop instead? I'm pretty hand and a fast learner, but I don't want to screw something major up.

[tvnacman]

Do you get this noise when your moving ? (dry needle bearing)

John

[fataldegree]

Hi John -- I get the noise while moving, but not to the same degree and only at certain times. It is not a constantly present noise. It squeals when I hit the gas for about 3 seconds (with weight on the scooter). While driving I don't hear any squealing, UNLESS...I slow down a bit and have to accelerate. Then I get a squawk/chirp in a quicker burst.

[tvnacman]

the noise is comming from the bearings on the clutch . when your not moving the pully spins free and the bearing is squeeking . when you take off the clutch pads grab the bell the pully and stop spinning on the shaft and the shaft turns . so the bad bearing barley moves and much less noise . If you can remove your clutch and lube the bearing , you might fix the problem . otherwise you need to change the bearing .

John

[Bashan]

Oh, that's a different animal! Ba-dump. That's your belt squeeling under load and then it stops when there's not as much stress on it. You can pull the belt off and clean the variator, that might do it. Also, the belt might need replacing, you can inspect it at the same time. You'll need to get the nut off of the crank which will take an impact wrench. If you can't do that then we're back to the mechanic idea. Rich

[tvnacman]

Fataldegree , what is your name (did i welcome you to the forum) .
Rich maybe correct about the belt . I think its the needle bearing , when you start to take off and the clutch pads start to grab the bell thoes bearings are loaded till you get rolling . Then the noise calms .

Put the bike on the centerstand not running and spin the rear wheel see if it squeels . Let us know .
Where are you sprocket ? I'm thinking pulling the clutch anyway and lubing the needles .

Do you skype ?

John