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Post by masters34 on Jun 11, 2013 15:47:20 GMT -5
Hello All,
I have some real problems starting my scooter.
About 8 months ago I purchased a 50cc TaoTao ATM50-A1. It was a 2011, and had only about 1000km on it. It worked great, as it should have. I used it until around December, once it really started getting cold (i'm in North Carolina). One day it started to sputter when I gave it gas. And every once in awhile it would cut out, especially going uphill. I could usually get it started. However after a few weeks of this happening it wouldn't start at all. I left it out in the winter (dumb, I know), then came to start it again once it got warm. It's really hard to start now. I have successfully got it to start a few times. But it will cut off after a minute at most. Most time I can usually start it, but it will cut out after a few seconds. I have changed the oil and put new gas in. I also checked the spark and it sparked white so I assume that it not the issue.
Anybody know some next steps I could take now? I don't have much experience with dealing with scooter issues so any help is appreciated!
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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 11, 2013 15:51:45 GMT -5
When was the last valve adjustment?
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Post by imarider on Jun 11, 2013 15:53:36 GMT -5
Welcome
You will need to check your valve gap
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 15:54:57 GMT -5
Get the old gas out of the carb.
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Post by hank on Jun 11, 2013 16:11:57 GMT -5
Hi
Welcome aboard
Pleased to meet you
I agree with the guys Check your valves
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank
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Post by prodigit on Jun 11, 2013 16:20:45 GMT -5
Put some Chemtool B12 in the tank, for cleaning. It's more aggressive than seafoam. After one tank put some seafoam in it.
Make sure your oil is not too heavy. In N Carolina, the heaviest oil I'd recommend is 10W30, or 5W30.
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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 11, 2013 16:40:03 GMT -5
Check the valves before you opt for "magic" fuel cleaners that are no substitute for the actual carb cleaning you may need. Valves are first though.
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Post by prodigit on Jun 11, 2013 18:31:11 GMT -5
Valves need to be cleaned before you do an adjustment to them.
Otherwise you can do the adj again after the carb is cleaned, as B12 and Seafoam clean the crud off the valves, the valve spacing increases.
So if you can clean the carb first, if not (like if the bike will stop running all together) you'll have to do the valve adjustment first.
That being said, I have 4000+KM on my ATM50, without a single valve adjustment, and it's still running great!
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Post by masters34 on Jun 11, 2013 19:31:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses guys. scootnwinn the last valve adjustment would have been about a year ago, when the bike had about 800km on it, so not long ago. I'm currently using 10w-30 oil. I'm thinking at this point I will check the valves and adjust them accordingly. Also does anyone know how big the gaps should be? And would it also be a good idea to clean the carburetor? Or should I just check the valves first? |
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Post by lykos23 on Jun 11, 2013 19:37:51 GMT -5
[replyingto=masters34]masters34[/replyingto].003 intake, .004 exhaust.
Cleaning the carb is always a good idea. Unless you really have faith in those so-called miracle products. Seafoam is good for keeping your stuff clean, but nothing beats soaking the jets in some carb cleaner.
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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 11, 2013 19:47:36 GMT -5
Start with the valves. Eliminate the most common cause of the symptoms you have and we'll go from there.
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Post by masters34 on Jun 12, 2013 12:42:41 GMT -5
OK sounds good. I will start with the valves and let you know what I come up with.
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Post by hank on Jun 12, 2013 13:19:59 GMT -5
Hi
This will help
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank
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Post by masters34 on Jun 24, 2013 21:39:52 GMT -5
Hey all. Thanks for all the advice.
I did the valve adjustment (.003 intake, .004 exhaust), however I seem to be at the same place as before: The bike won't start up. When I pump the throttle several times I can get the engine to turn over and start running but it will cut out after a few seconds.
Any ideas on next steps? Thanks a lot guys.
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Post by prodigit on Jun 24, 2013 21:55:35 GMT -5
Wrong A/F ratio?
Could be because of a clogged gasoline line or filter, or low on fuel in the tank.
I know my MC-05-127 shuts down when there's less than 25% fuel in the tank.
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