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Post by ellpee on Apr 14, 2017 15:14:59 GMT -6
Long story, rode it at high altitude, good for awhile but had to first re-jet and then totally replace carb. Eventually got to the point, at 1700 miles, where it wouldn't start at all. Trailered it from the mountains back to Tucson where only one shop, a Kymco dealer, will even touch it for even the most basic things. They played for a week, checked fuel system and carb, couldn't get it to start, said I need a new carb. THE THIRD IN ITS 1700-MILE LIFETIME? What's wrong with that picture? Rapid Jim will be sending me a new OEM carb but also suggested valve adjustment issues, so I'm trying to talk the local shop into doing that, since it involves no parts, only adjustments. Needless to say, very frustrating. Any thoughts/suggestions welcome. Scoot ran fine once started the last time I was actually able to get it to start, so I don't think there's any dire mechanical or electrical problem beyond whatever it takes to make it start reliably.
Secondary thought, has anybody had any luck getting small engine people OTHER THAN scooter shops to work on their scoots? Seems to me the engines and drive train are fairly similar to the various "hunter buggies" one sees all over the place. It really sucks that in a city of half a million, nearly a million in metro area, nobody wants to touch anything that starts with "China."
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Post by crwford on Apr 14, 2017 20:24:27 GMT -6
I'm really puzzled I have 3 300 cc water cooled Ice Bear Zodiac's 2 2015 and 1 2013. Only problem I ever had was rubber intake kept coming lose and excused kept coming lose. Never have I ever screw with the valves I checked the compression when it hit 800 miles. I check it every so often never changed so I don't mess with adjusting them. I have 8,500 mile on 2 0f the only 1,800 on other one. Amsoil is the only oil been in them. Could you maybe find a good small engine shop to check it out maybe more of a mom and pop shop might maybe better. All of mine have much the same stuff which came with them except in the cvt took out the roller and put in the taper ones in there place.
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Post by ellpee on Apr 15, 2017 7:45:40 GMT -6
I'm as confused as you, and frustrated that in a metro area as large as Tucson there is only one scooter shop that will even do the simplest things. If new carb and valves doesn't get it running I'll indeed try to find a small engine shop that works on riding mowers and the like. Almost enough to make me move to Wisconsin so Rapid Jim can fix me up.
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Post by cyborg on Apr 15, 2017 13:13:21 GMT -6
That does indeed sound like a valve adjustment is in order,, not sure if your bike has a fuel pump but if it does I'd be giving it the long look and test
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Post by cyborg on Apr 15, 2017 13:16:39 GMT -6
Thank goodness I do my own stuff,, I couldn't get the local dealer to get parts ,,, when I went to them looking for some stuff the counter queen started looking online!!!!! I said geez lady I can do that,so that's what I did
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Post by ellpee on Apr 16, 2017 9:37:11 GMT -6
The Kymco shop says they have checked the entire fuel system, pump, filter, etc., and cleaned and adjusted the carb to the best of their ability, still no start. They seem reluctant about doing a valve adjustment, although I can't imagine that is any different in general from doing the same thing on one of their Kymcos. Contacted a place up in Phoenix I thought might be willing to work on it if I trailer it up there, but they said no thanks. VERY strong case for never buying anything Chinese unless one is a competent mechanic with a good set of tools. Right now, I have a 700 lb boat anchor. Is my frustration showing?
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Post by ellpee on Apr 20, 2017 8:01:23 GMT -6
No progress to report. Shop has now checked the valve adjustment and says they are spot on, but still no start. Awaiting new OEM carb ordered from Rapid Jim, hoping against hope that will get 'er going. If not, will have to take it to a small engine shop or engage one of the indy motorcycle repair people listed on Craigslist. Maddening.
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Post by crwford on Apr 20, 2017 21:35:27 GMT -6
Did any body do a compression test?
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Post by ellpee on Apr 21, 2017 9:29:21 GMT -6
Don't know, will ask when carb arrives.
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Post by crwford on Apr 21, 2017 9:56:48 GMT -6
this sounds silly to also ask if spark and fuel are also present these are just basic things which are needed to make it run.
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Post by cyborg on Apr 21, 2017 22:29:34 GMT -6
I've seen on the forums that rarely the flywheel key shears and. The flywheel moves on the shaft and it gets out of time
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Post by ellpee on Apr 22, 2017 9:56:20 GMT -6
As mentioned a few posts back, they SAY they've checked the entire fuel system, removed/cleaned/reinstalled the current carb, checked that valves are in spec, and confirmed plug okay and good strong spark. A genuine mystery. Hope it's not the flywheel thing cyborg mentions, I'll play hell finding somebody who will deal with a problem like that. FWIW, last time *** I *** was cranking it I'd get a few feeble pops like it was attempting to fire, but it would never catch fully and start/keep running. If the new OEM carb doesn't magically fix it, there are several indy people advertising on Craigslist that they'll work on pretty much anything -- cycles, scooters, ATVs, golf carts, etc. -- and have a lot of experience doing so. That may turn out to be my court of last resort, or I'll have to donate it to Goodwill and let THEM get it running.
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Post by jbjhillbilly on Apr 23, 2017 10:17:38 GMT -6
Contacted a place up in Phoenix I thought might be willing to work on it if I trailer it up there, but they said no thanks. New guy here (back in Scoot game for now). Last time I had a scooter, I had a local motorcycle shop working on it. Most any vintage or non-dealer affiliated shop should be able to do the wrenching on a carb engine. And a lot of shops, especially an older Honda oriented shop, will have seen almost everything on that bike in some form or another while working on Metros, Rucks and Elites in the past 25 years. |
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Post by ellpee on Apr 23, 2017 10:34:33 GMT -6
Thanks, that may well turn out to be my end solution. Surprising that in general, none of these indy guys seems to be interested in capturing the Chinese scooter "niche market," since the snobby brand name dealers almost always say no thanks. If I owned a Yugo I'm sure I could find somebody somewhere who would give it a tuneup, but Chinese scoots seem to be poison for anyone working on the Japanese or Italian scoots.
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Post by crwford on Apr 23, 2017 16:32:46 GMT -6
It just seems it is a excuse for not whating to get in valved many will just say we service what we sell. But in general the china machines are just 4 stroke plan and simple. The reason I mention test compression it tells a great deal with no or low compression fuel or spark mean not a thing. It also may mean late or early valve timing. So it gives you many things to look at . As far as putting finger over spark plug hole for a test waste of time. You do need a few thing to make it run intake,compression,power,exhaust that the four strokes . intake Fuel, compression fire exhaust . Trying to simple fly it to understand missing one will make engine not run. So if you look at all things 1 at a time should be able to serperater the problem. cheep testing tools light which clips on spark plug and wire lights up when it cranks showing spark, compression tester, multi meter make up 1 jump wire with alligator clips to jump out switches or complete a ground
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