Post by jeepsteve92xj on Jun 17, 2013 14:48:54 GMT -5
Multiple funs
I started my new exhaust and EFI project on my Xingyue 6" wheel scooter, back in late April. Exhaust went on fine. Started te EFI conversion and noticed the stator wasn't putting out. Of course this meant an 11-pole upgrade, and some rewiring. But then we had day after day of rain rain rain. Too cold and rainy to be working outside.
Then the Geo Tracker blew the timing belt, not a terrible job, but waiting for a new timing cover slowed that project, which had to be done so the GF had wheels. I think I finished that on May 26, then spent an evening trying to get a broken key out of the ignition - no luck but the second half of the key is working to use the car.
Running the ecotron software in XP mode on my Windows 7 laptop would not communicate with the ECU, tried all sorts of stuff, three days of software updates.... NO GO! Ordered another hdd so I could build a new XP hard-drive for that laptop. Does it work? No idea, I didn't have the A2L or CAL files for the ProCal to initialize with. Emailed Matt Friday night and he sent the filed late Sunday so haven't got back to that again yet.
So when I get a chance (weather cooperating), I've been riding scooter #2 - the Znen 150. I did mess with the variator once, still need to go and try mixed weights. But then, on June 13, I heard a rattle - the lower exhaust bracket had broke at the weld. I took it easy coming home. Everything seemed to be solid and tight so I went to weld thee bracket and noticed a bolt was missing. The upper bracket - exhaust, swing arm and into the upper rear ear on the engine.
Not having the missing bolt, I tried a few, found a thread that seemed to work. Threaded in by hand, unable to pull it out by hand, Great luck! Grab a wrench to snug it up, not even 1/4 turn and something popped - a shard of aluminum fell to the ground... and the bolt spun freely.
I guess the hole had a step in it, and my bolt was a perfect wedge to break it out.
So I found a smaller bolt that matched the threads on the shard. long enough to thread through the remaining part of the ear, and put a nut on the back. And I did, and then I welded the bracket. I shook it all, nothing moved. Fired it up and had a quick test run, everything seemed alright.
Rode to work Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Started out to ride to work today. Kept hearing this little hiss, like a high voltage arc every time I hit a bump. Even thought maybe there was a bit or tape or trash that kept swinging into the wind or something.
Nope.
Then the entire exhaust fell off, from just below the flange at the head, right through, to the end. Re-broke my weld, the missing bolt is missing again.
I had to wait for the muffler to cool a bit, and a couple spare carabiner, a slow ride home.
No pics yet.
Now I have neither scooter on the road.
I've got to order a new exhaust - a nice performance SS unit for sure. Probably a variator kit and some different sliders or rollers. I have a new open element air filter to compliment the soon to be new exhaust, but I know I'll have to mess in the carb to get the jets right.
I will try a J-B Weld patch for that broken ear.
If I have to do much more, like change the case half, I may as well stick in a BBK.
Bad weather, projects and breakdowns have made this a poor riding season so far.
I started my new exhaust and EFI project on my Xingyue 6" wheel scooter, back in late April. Exhaust went on fine. Started te EFI conversion and noticed the stator wasn't putting out. Of course this meant an 11-pole upgrade, and some rewiring. But then we had day after day of rain rain rain. Too cold and rainy to be working outside.
Then the Geo Tracker blew the timing belt, not a terrible job, but waiting for a new timing cover slowed that project, which had to be done so the GF had wheels. I think I finished that on May 26, then spent an evening trying to get a broken key out of the ignition - no luck but the second half of the key is working to use the car.
Running the ecotron software in XP mode on my Windows 7 laptop would not communicate with the ECU, tried all sorts of stuff, three days of software updates.... NO GO! Ordered another hdd so I could build a new XP hard-drive for that laptop. Does it work? No idea, I didn't have the A2L or CAL files for the ProCal to initialize with. Emailed Matt Friday night and he sent the filed late Sunday so haven't got back to that again yet.
So when I get a chance (weather cooperating), I've been riding scooter #2 - the Znen 150. I did mess with the variator once, still need to go and try mixed weights. But then, on June 13, I heard a rattle - the lower exhaust bracket had broke at the weld. I took it easy coming home. Everything seemed to be solid and tight so I went to weld thee bracket and noticed a bolt was missing. The upper bracket - exhaust, swing arm and into the upper rear ear on the engine.
Not having the missing bolt, I tried a few, found a thread that seemed to work. Threaded in by hand, unable to pull it out by hand, Great luck! Grab a wrench to snug it up, not even 1/4 turn and something popped - a shard of aluminum fell to the ground... and the bolt spun freely.
I guess the hole had a step in it, and my bolt was a perfect wedge to break it out.
So I found a smaller bolt that matched the threads on the shard. long enough to thread through the remaining part of the ear, and put a nut on the back. And I did, and then I welded the bracket. I shook it all, nothing moved. Fired it up and had a quick test run, everything seemed alright.
Rode to work Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
Started out to ride to work today. Kept hearing this little hiss, like a high voltage arc every time I hit a bump. Even thought maybe there was a bit or tape or trash that kept swinging into the wind or something.
Nope.
Then the entire exhaust fell off, from just below the flange at the head, right through, to the end. Re-broke my weld, the missing bolt is missing again.
I had to wait for the muffler to cool a bit, and a couple spare carabiner, a slow ride home.
No pics yet.
Now I have neither scooter on the road.
I've got to order a new exhaust - a nice performance SS unit for sure. Probably a variator kit and some different sliders or rollers. I have a new open element air filter to compliment the soon to be new exhaust, but I know I'll have to mess in the carb to get the jets right.
I will try a J-B Weld patch for that broken ear.
If I have to do much more, like change the case half, I may as well stick in a BBK.
Bad weather, projects and breakdowns have made this a poor riding season so far.
