Post by scribjellyjr on Nov 4, 2015 14:22:44 GMT -5
~Sorry for the large post~
I've had this 150cc taotao for about 3 years now. Its been kept in the garage most of its life. Recently I dropped the bike in the rain going about 7-10 mph approaching a stop sign. It and I skid about 10 feet in different ways. The bike shut off after it fell, but after a minute or so of cranking it started up again and I drove it (very carefully heh) home just fine.
I didn't ride it again for about 4-5 days because of more rain and my knee was a bit bashed from the fall. However, after those 4-5 days it randomly refused to start and run for more than 5 seconds, and then it wouldnt really catch at all until I leave it alone for 20+ mins.
I've lost access to the garage I've always kept it in, so the only things that could've affected the scooter over those 4-5 days is 1-2 days of light and moderate rain on the uncovered scooter, and perhaps condensation from the rather cold mornings I've had around here lately.
Here is what I've tried so far~~~
1.I figured the gas tank could have water in it from a few days of cold morning condensation because it was only 20% full. I probably should've siphoned the tank, but I decided to go to the gas station and bring back a gallon of premium with an ounce of seafoam added to it. I filled it all the way to the marker tab thing, shook the scoot up really good to mix everything up and cranked it and few times every hour of the day to try to get the fuel cycling. It never improved beyond those initial 5 seconds of barely running every time I tried though.
2. I've looked over all the vacuum and fuel lines the best I could and I didn't see any cracks or anything unusual. I've seen and replaced cracked vacuum lines before, but I didn't see any this time. The intake manifold and the airbox connection seem to be in good condition and are tightly secured. I removed and reapplied each of the lines at the carb area just to make sure they were on securely. None of this helped.
3. I've removed the fuel line from the side of the carb and cranked until fuel came out, so thats good I think. When the fuel line was let straight down the fuel poured out nicely. When held more upwards or horizontal as it would attach to the carb, the stream strength was about halved, to a trickle. I'm not sure if that means its not pumping enough fuel when attached to the carb, rather than when let straight down.
I'll attach some pics of my situation. Starting with what is likely the problem, but I'd like an experienced opinion.
This cracked area of the airbox *seems* like it could be problematic, but then again most of the plastic junk on my scoot kinda looks like it was just rough from the cheap molding process. Is this a significant crack? It could be from when I dropped the bike, but I drove it home just fine. Perhaps it cracked slightly when I dropped it and then gradually greatened? *edit* wow the crack looks much more superficial in the sunlight, but it looks pretty bad in this pic
Arirbox zoomed out
Manifold
Carb
In my completely unexperienced opinion, I'd guess that the cracked airbox is messing with the vacuum, resulting in the carb not getting enough fuel to stay fired up, and the reason it starts for 3-5 seconds after I leave it alone for 20+ minutes is because the remaining fuel headed for the carb in the fuel line builds up slightly there until I fire it up, then it runs out.
I think I've heard of people using some kind of "liquid gasket" or something to seal (at least temporarily) cracks such as the one on my airbox tube. Do you think that would be a good thing to try? If so, what compound should I use?
Thanks for reading
I've had this 150cc taotao for about 3 years now. Its been kept in the garage most of its life. Recently I dropped the bike in the rain going about 7-10 mph approaching a stop sign. It and I skid about 10 feet in different ways. The bike shut off after it fell, but after a minute or so of cranking it started up again and I drove it (very carefully heh) home just fine.
I didn't ride it again for about 4-5 days because of more rain and my knee was a bit bashed from the fall. However, after those 4-5 days it randomly refused to start and run for more than 5 seconds, and then it wouldnt really catch at all until I leave it alone for 20+ mins.
I've lost access to the garage I've always kept it in, so the only things that could've affected the scooter over those 4-5 days is 1-2 days of light and moderate rain on the uncovered scooter, and perhaps condensation from the rather cold mornings I've had around here lately.
Here is what I've tried so far~~~
1.I figured the gas tank could have water in it from a few days of cold morning condensation because it was only 20% full. I probably should've siphoned the tank, but I decided to go to the gas station and bring back a gallon of premium with an ounce of seafoam added to it. I filled it all the way to the marker tab thing, shook the scoot up really good to mix everything up and cranked it and few times every hour of the day to try to get the fuel cycling. It never improved beyond those initial 5 seconds of barely running every time I tried though.
2. I've looked over all the vacuum and fuel lines the best I could and I didn't see any cracks or anything unusual. I've seen and replaced cracked vacuum lines before, but I didn't see any this time. The intake manifold and the airbox connection seem to be in good condition and are tightly secured. I removed and reapplied each of the lines at the carb area just to make sure they were on securely. None of this helped.
3. I've removed the fuel line from the side of the carb and cranked until fuel came out, so thats good I think. When the fuel line was let straight down the fuel poured out nicely. When held more upwards or horizontal as it would attach to the carb, the stream strength was about halved, to a trickle. I'm not sure if that means its not pumping enough fuel when attached to the carb, rather than when let straight down.
I'll attach some pics of my situation. Starting with what is likely the problem, but I'd like an experienced opinion.
This cracked area of the airbox *seems* like it could be problematic, but then again most of the plastic junk on my scoot kinda looks like it was just rough from the cheap molding process. Is this a significant crack? It could be from when I dropped the bike, but I drove it home just fine. Perhaps it cracked slightly when I dropped it and then gradually greatened? *edit* wow the crack looks much more superficial in the sunlight, but it looks pretty bad in this pic
Arirbox zoomed out
Manifold
Carb
In my completely unexperienced opinion, I'd guess that the cracked airbox is messing with the vacuum, resulting in the carb not getting enough fuel to stay fired up, and the reason it starts for 3-5 seconds after I leave it alone for 20+ minutes is because the remaining fuel headed for the carb in the fuel line builds up slightly there until I fire it up, then it runs out.
I think I've heard of people using some kind of "liquid gasket" or something to seal (at least temporarily) cracks such as the one on my airbox tube. Do you think that would be a good thing to try? If so, what compound should I use?
Thanks for reading