MC-54-250B Oddities By ellpee (Read 1,723 times)

[ellpee]

Have accumulated ~350 miles and have two odd things I wonder about.

First, after each ride, I notice just one drop of oil underneath the tranny casing. Not a puddle, just a single big drop that leaves an oil spot maybe 2" across. Wiped the tranny case down today with a paper towel, including as far inside as I could reach with a finger, and will see if it happens again next ride. I did change the gear oil at 200 mi., 4 oz. of 70w-90 per manual and posts here, and thought I'd tightened both bolts quite snugly and wiped off any spilled oil before reassembly. Is this minor leakage something people with my scoot see commonly, or do I need to pull the cover again and investigate? Where else could it be coming from besides the fill and drain holes?

Second, for some reason the other day I started it with the remote start, then turned the key to the on position. When I later turned the key to the lock position the starter began to crank all on its own. I hit the remote start button again a couple times and that behavior went away. But since then I also noticed that just turning the key from the on position to off, or even lock, doesn't stop the engine as it used to -- have to use the kill switch. I don't mind using the kill switch every time if that's what it takes, but I'm wondering what went on in this sequence of events. Is the key even supposed to shut down the engine without use of the kill switch? From what little I learned during my recent electrical fiasco, I would think so, but I could easily be wrong.

[alleyoop]

Here is the thing with a remote start and alarm system. IF you start the Scoot with the Remote YOU HAVE TO TURN IF OFF with the REMOTE. That is the big secret with those things.

Otherwise it you don't it confuses the REMOTE module, because now the next programmed step is to shut it off.
Alleyoop

[richardthescooter3]

If you have the MC-54-250b with the 257cc horizontal engine, You need to put more gear oil in, my scoot take 6 to 7oz of gear oil. No more then 7oz is need, don't over fill.

[ellpee]

Remote start: thanks, Alley, I'll remember that. To be honest I didn't even know you could shut it off remotely! Any thoughts about the other thing, shutdown with key vs. kill switch?

Oil: I have the 244cc vertical engine, and my amusing Chinese manual says 4 oz (actually the equivalent in ml), which corresponds with what I've read in a couple of posts here. Got any thoughts, though, about my mini-drip? I wondered if maybe I put too much oil in and it was overflowing through some vent hole, but it sounds like if anything, I out in too little.

[tvnacman]

There should be a vent, I would clean the case then go for a short ride then look very hard to see if you can find the source of the leak.

John

[alleyoop]

The killswitch is there to be used for emergencies that is why it is by the handgrip so you can hit it with your thumb. I never use the killswitch only when changing oil I hit the kill switch and hit the start button to turn the motor over a couple times to get more of the oil out.

The Tranny should have a VENT HOSE check the vent hose on the end of it and see if it is wet from tranny oil. If it is then you know you overfilled it and it is throwing it out through the vent hose.
Alleyoop

[ellpee]

Was out on a run today, and the motor kept on running after turning the key to off or lock -- had to use the kill switch to stop it. I think I'll disconnect the battery for a bit to hopefully "reset" the remote/alarm firmware and see if that solves the problem. (Hassle doing that, have to reset the clock every time.) If it does, I'm tempted to put that remote fob in a drawer somewhere and never touch it again, but there's always the possibility of being out somewhere and having to use it if key/brake/starter button fails me, as it did once already.

As to the gear oil, I had my little one-drop leak again, so I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and pull of the cover again. BTW, I double-checked my Chinglish owner's manual and it says gear oil capacity is 0.11 liter, which works out to about 3.5 ounces. I put in four, so hoping I'm good in that regard.

Oh, a PS: is the module that handles the signals from the remote located somewhere where I could easily turn it on and off as needed? I expect I will rarely if ever use either one, but as I said, if I ever need it to get the scoot to start, then I'll REALLY need it.

[alleyoop]

the remote and alarm are usually behind the instrument panel. Some have a fuse on them and you can just take the fuse out to disarm it. Others you may have to add a jumper wire if you unplug it so that it passes juice when using the key and start button.
Alleyoop

[ellpee]

Continuing the saga, I did disconnect the battery today for a few minutes, and that "cured" the problem of the motor not shutting off with the key. I presume loss of all power caused the electronic brain of the remote system to reset itself. But I also "pocket-dialed" the remote accidentally after that, causing the alarm to go off briefly, so that's something I'll need to be aware of in future. Don't think I want to go to the trouble of disconnecting the remote/alarm module unless I have some other, more important reason to take off all the front plastic.

[alleyoop]

As a matter of fact, they say not to carry the remote in your pocket just because of that reason. The button could be accidently hit and shut off the motor. There is a whole write up about remotes and safety
Alleyoop

[ellpee]

On the oil question, an update. Took a pretty good ride today, and noticed afterward that my rear wheel rim had quite a bit of sooty-oily residue on it. Looked around for an obvious place it might be coming from but found nothing that caused an aha reaction. Wiped it down with a rag, and will see what's what after my next ride. I did check the engine oil level, and it's both clean (~150 miles since change) and full, so the more likely source for the leak is the rear end. Weather is finally warming up, so guess over the weekend it'll be time to pull the tranny cover yet again and see what I can find going on under there. Sure don't want to burn up something expensive for lack of oil.


BTW, while wiping down the rim I was turning the rear wheel (on center stand) and noticed that turning it in either direction it turned freely for a couple inches in either direction, then made a little clunk and I could feel a slight resistance. I know the whole CVT drive thing is based on centrifugal force somehow, so maybe that's normal behavior, but just thought I'd mention it in case it isn't. Anybody know if it suggests a problem?

[richardthescooter3]

Could be your back brakes catching because of dirt or ware, maybe your bearing in the swing arm, or maybe the axle nut is coming loose.

[alleyoop]

There is play between the gearing don't forget there are about 3 gears that have to mesh before it turns your wheel.
Alleyoop

[ellpee]

Have no clue exactly how that CVT works, only a very general idea, and I hope I never have to find out all the details!

Took a serious ride around town today, 50 miles or so, and no significant amount of crud on the rear wheel rim. Thinking about it, what I saw yesterday was very much like the black crud we get on our cars after a while from the front disc brakes, so maybe it was just normal breakin period wear on the rear brake pads. Haven't noticed anything comparable on the front wheel.

Might be overkill, but I'm thinking I'll change engine and rear end oil again at about 700 miles just to see how they both look, and after that relax a bit and settle into 500 miles on engine and 1000 miles on rear end as my normal maintenance pattern. Not a big deal considering the small quantities involved, and the work isn't bad either even for an un-mechanic like me.

[richardthescooter3]

Just when I think to know something, I learn something new (thanks alleyoop) keep me sharpe