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Post by bobf on Nov 11, 2012 15:21:28 GMT -6
YY 250T MC 54 250 with Honda clone engine. 2008 version.
Today I had to get a good lever to force my coolant recovery bottle cap off. It is so shrunk that it is near impossible to get off and I don't think I will ever get it to go back on.
Any ideas on what to use to replace the original cap. Any kind of cap that can snap on or off without needing tools. Not opened that often but it would be nice to be able to do it without pry bar to remove and mallet to install.
Probably something workable from WalMart or other general store source?
I remember that once there were expandable caps for thermos bottles. Push into place then fold down the lever to expand the seal. Opposite to remove by raising the lever to release the clamping actions. Just not sure how well they do on a hot radiator situation or if they still make that kind of cap any more. Any good workable ideas appreciated.
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Post by JR on Nov 11, 2012 15:43:03 GMT -6
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Post by bobf on Nov 11, 2012 16:43:56 GMT -6
Thanks JR. Never thought of looking in an auto department. All my radiator caps have been turn tops, never had one of the flip lock types. Looks almost like the thermos bottle caps I was talking about above. Next I go measure the hole to find a size to look for.
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Post by bobf on Nov 12, 2012 15:46:44 GMT -6
Well, it now looks like I will have to take the covers off once again. This will be the third time and I only have 79 miles on it for two years I have owned the machine. Between several health issues and the nasty winters in Colorado and the extreme heat of summer in Arizona, I just don't get much time riding.
But since the other day when I was trying to get the overflow bottle cap off with a pry bar and then trying to get it back on I think I may have split the bottle somewhere. I won't know till I get the covers off and take a look. I now get puddles of coolant under the scoot.
At least it is cooler now in Arizona and I should not have too much heat to worry about as I tear the scoot apart. In addition to finding the coolant leak I need to take another look at the gas gauge. It was not working when I bought the scoot new, so I fixed it and it would rise and fall correctly. Now it just stays at half tank even when filled. I just filled it and it did not rise.
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Post by bobf on Nov 13, 2012 12:45:00 GMT -6
All covers off again. Found gas leaking from the fuel gauge entry port. Will take the gauge off again, clean up the area, return gauge with new gasket. That should stop the gas smell in the garage.
For the overflow bottle cap I think I was off on the wrong path. I was looking for a sealing type of cap or plug. Probably the wrong thing to do on the overflow tank. It is an escape are for expanded coolant and should not be pressurized. Also, as the engine and radiator cools the coolant is expected to return to the radiator and be ready for the next running. So we don't want a tight cap on the overflow bottle as that would create a vacuum when the coolant cools. No flow back to the radiator.
So now I will just want to have a cap to stop spilling when driving. So how does my theory sound?
Have not found any cracks in the bottle so far. Have filled it and will watch for leaks. I may just have to order a new bottle to replace this one as tearing all the covers off is not something I want to do often. This is my third tear down in 80 miles of riding.
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Post by bobf on Nov 13, 2012 16:06:57 GMT -6
Right on that idea. My friend in high school had a Cushman and it was very easy to remove it's one piece housing over the engine. I don't remember for sure but I think it was a total of four bolts.
Another friend had a Salsbury. I don't remember ever seeing it opened up but it looked like some thing pretty simple to do.
Today we seem to be caught up into the styling is more important than function mode.
What I drove back then was the Whizzer engine on my bicycle. I probably should have kept it. They charge a lot more for the most recent versions. I think I only paid about $89.00 for my Whizzer kit.
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Post by bobf on Nov 20, 2012 20:09:07 GMT -6
Latest effort was to fix the fuel sensor in the gas tank. No reason for me to worry about the coolant tank cap. That yellow puddle under the scoot was actually gas, not coolant leak.
I pulled the fuel sensor thinking it was the gasket. So I replaced the gasket. A second gasket was applied. Still leaking so I went to a motor cycle shop and asked if they could provide a good gasket. They said no but offered to sell me a new fuel sensor. I declined and left. After I got home I looked at my sensor and on the outside part there was a brownish looking fill around the wires. It was all wet and soft. It came out easily with a nudge from a screw driver. Under neath was a nice looking solid grey material that looked good. But it had a small leak along one edge. That explains the bright yellow color of the puddle and the yellow spots left after it dried. The brown material must have been made of melted sulfur poured into the cavity over the leaking first level of seal.
I have used special RTV silicon gasket maker for oil seals to replace the over patch. So far OK. But if it shows any sign of leaking again it will mean buy a new fuel tank sensor. It appears to have prices from $20 to $40 depending on the dealer. Right now I am waiting for some reaction to the new seal. Two days with a full tank and no leak yet.
The sealant was Permatex Ultra Black. Anyone know of problems with this for sealing gas tanks? If known problems exist I will just go ahead and order a new fuel sensor and have it on hand.
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Post by wolfhound on Nov 21, 2012 6:10:32 GMT -6
Getting to things on the modern scoots is a @#$%^. One reason I bought the Stella is because it is a retro Vespa design Raise the seat, undo a latch
on each side and the spare tire and motor covers come off for easy access. Had a Whizzer and a Velo Solex as a kid, always wanted a Cushman or a
Salisbury. Life was less complicated in those days!! Congrats Bobf on solving the problem.
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Post by bobf on Nov 22, 2012 11:51:19 GMT -6
Thanks for your comment wolfhound. Could have answered sooner but was waiting for any good or bad comments on my solution to leaking gas. Doesn't look good for more feedback.
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