TaoTao 50 Help! By scooternewb (Read 1,935 times)

[scooternewb]

I am a super newb (I just found out the difference between a moped and a scooter this morning) and I was just given a Tao Tao 50 that has been sitting outside all winter. None of the shops in town will work on it and I need to get it working as soon as I can since my car recently caught on fire. I have a couple of questions that I hope you can help me with:

The battery is completely dead. I am planning on getting this (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Battery-Tender-Junior-Charger/15779492) to charge it. Will that work?

It was recommended to drain the gas/oil be drained and all new added. Is this necessary and if so, how is it done?

The kick start is broken. Is this something that is needed if I can get it started with the electric starter?

Thanks in advance for any help that you can give me.

--Sarah
 

[dippy51]

is.gd/Bybs6G

The Library section near the bottom of the Home page might be helpful to you.

If the battery has been sitting a long time, it's sulphated up & won't hold a charge. I charge up batteries at least every 30 days to prevent that happening.

If gas was left in the scooter, the carb is likely gummed up and will require dis-assembly to clean.

[Bashan]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Listen to him, he's got the right advice.

Mar 31, 2014 9:29:01 GMT -6 scooternewb said:

I just found out the difference between a moped and a scooter this morning.

Oh finally! The oracle has arrived guys! Please tell me. I'm kidding, ignore me.

The battery tender JR is great, get one. You will need a new battery, sorry. Get the most powerful battery you can that will fit in the scooter's battery space AKA box. 12v but as many amps as possible. As Dippy said go to the Library and read up. There are many articles on changing oil and your fuel system. Go peruse and come back if need be.

All right Dippy, good man! You didn't tell her about The Great Stinky? Whatever dude.

[scooternewb]

Thanks so much guys!

Do you have a brand recommendation for a battery?

[kz1000st]

If you have an Advance Auto Parts store nearby take the old battery there and they should have a matching one. I use their batteries all the time with good luck.

[Bashan]

I go to Batteries Plus but that's me. I take them the old battery and tell them to give me the most amp replacement they have. They are pricey but I think they're worth it. Wal-Mart is OK but their warranty isn't as good as it used to be. I took a battery back to Batteries Plus one time a year and a half after the purchase. I of course didn't have the receipt but that's me. The guy asked for my phone number, grabbed the old battery, went to the back, and brought me out a brand new battery! I think the warranty depends on which make you get but still....

[DrRocco]

Last summer. I was on a business trip and the battery in my wife's van took a crap. I sent her to Advance and the guys there wouldn't install the new battery. I called Batteries Plus and they were cheaper, installed no problem, and didn't jerk her around because she's a woman. They earned my business for sure.

[scooternewb]

Batteries Plus it is then. Thanks!

In the Common Issues guide there is mention of a video on how to change the oil, but I can't find it. Can you point me to that video?

Also, where would you buy the Seafoam carb cleaner?

[kz1000st]

You have to ask Cyborg. No seriously. Any auto parts store, KMart, Sears.

[scooternewb]

And I found the video for changing the oil.

[jvino]

That wasn't to hard right. To drain the gas there will be a small hose going from the tank to the carb. Might have a little metal bracket on it to carb use needle nose pliers to get it the hose. Then pull of might need a flat head screw driver to break the seal on the carb. Find a bucket to drain it in Then repeat the process to get back on carb.

[jvino]

Good luck bud. Hope you get to cruze soon enough.

[jct842]

One thing that was said that stands out is you said the kick starter is broke. We normally do not use a kick starter. If the kicker is broke and the old owner was using it, was it just the battery bad or is the starter bad?

[Alleyoop]

A very important thing to consider when buying a battery are the rated CCAs(COLD CRANKING AMPS). A lot of batteries have CCA ratings lower than 100. You want a Battery with CCAs Rated well over 100, as high CCA rating as possible. Reason is if you get a battery with low CCA rating and your scoot does not start within a couple of press's of the start button the battery will be depleted and will not have the power to start it without charging the battery.

That is why you see a lot of batteries on the cheap the CCA ratings are well under 100. You get what you pay for it.
Alleyoop

[scooternewb]

Good morning!

OK...so I got the new battery installed. The good news is that it starts, the bad news is that it cuts off every time I let it idle for even a few seconds. I was able to drive it around the neighborhood a little, but it cut off if I wasn't constantly giving it gas.

I have not changed the oil yet. Will that alone solve the problem?