So my 2008 Buddy 150 was outside when the big dust storm hit us here in Lubbock (google "lubbock haboob" for a photo) I got it in the garage once I looked out and realized the sky had gone red, but wonder whether some damage was done.
The Buddy started and ran fine for a week, but it wouldn't start this morning. I got it started this afternoon and took it around the block, but an hour later it refused to start again.
When I try to start it, it makes a weak effort to turn over, sounds like it halfway turns. Kickstart doesn't help.
Any ideas? I am wondering whether all the dust got into a fuel intake or some other area of the Buddy, making it hard to start. If not the dust, what else might this be?
Buddy having problems starting after dust storm
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Bulls Eye
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HowHH
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I've never been in a dust storm, but it looks pretty intense. Glad we don't have them here in the northeast.
Dust that fine could plug up the air filter, might be worth checking. When the cottonwoods go to seed out here in the spring there are clouds of fluffy white seeds that get sucked into the intake. The dust seems like it might be even more pervasive.
Dust that fine could plug up the air filter, might be worth checking. When the cottonwoods go to seed out here in the spring there are clouds of fluffy white seeds that get sucked into the intake. The dust seems like it might be even more pervasive.
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ericalm
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If the air filter is super-dirty, clogged, fouled, whatever, you'd probably notice the scooter chugging and running unevenly when you did get it started.
But since it ran fine for a week, I'm thinking it may be something else. (Probably a good idea to clean or replace the filter anyways due to all of the dust.) Sounds like it may be a bad spark plug. Could be the plug is bad but repeated attempts to start have worn down the battery, too. Not being able to kickstart could also be from a bad plug. (Check the plug cap and make sure it's connected correctly; it can come loose and cause similar problems to this.)
If the battery and the plug are good, the next most likely culprit would be fuel supply.
It's unlikely—but not impossible—that dust from the storm caused an issue that either took a week to set in or went away for a week. The dust may have been fine enough and dense enough that some was getting drawn through the air filter and into the air system, then got stuck or accumulated somewhere. But if the scooter was sitting (and not being ridden) through the dust storm, that still seems pretty improbable.
When was the last time you fueled up? This could also be the common vacuum/vapor lock issue. Try starting/kickstarting with the gas cap off and see what happens.
But since it ran fine for a week, I'm thinking it may be something else. (Probably a good idea to clean or replace the filter anyways due to all of the dust.) Sounds like it may be a bad spark plug. Could be the plug is bad but repeated attempts to start have worn down the battery, too. Not being able to kickstart could also be from a bad plug. (Check the plug cap and make sure it's connected correctly; it can come loose and cause similar problems to this.)
If the battery and the plug are good, the next most likely culprit would be fuel supply.
It's unlikely—but not impossible—that dust from the storm caused an issue that either took a week to set in or went away for a week. The dust may have been fine enough and dense enough that some was getting drawn through the air filter and into the air system, then got stuck or accumulated somewhere. But if the scooter was sitting (and not being ridden) through the dust storm, that still seems pretty improbable.
When was the last time you fueled up? This could also be the common vacuum/vapor lock issue. Try starting/kickstarting with the gas cap off and see what happens.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
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Lotrat
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Re: Buddy having problems starting after dust storm
The OP didn't say that he started it during the haboob, but that his scooter was out during the haboob and then "moved" it inside once he saw the haboob. He didn't say he started it up. I googled the Labock haboob and it hit 10/17. The OP stated that it wouldn't start this morning (10/26) which is 9 days after the haboob hit. He also stated that it ran fine for a week. It's doubtful that the haboob from 9 day prior had any impact on a scooter that ran fine for 9 days and now doesn't start. Paper elements do just fine with dust. They do even better when the motor isn't running. I have never used the word haboob 7 time in a post and I'm proud of this achievement.Bulls Eye wrote:So my 2008 Buddy 150 was outside when the big dust storm hit us here in Lubbock (google "lubbock haboob" for a photo) I got it in the garage once I looked out and realized the sky had gone red, but wonder whether some damage was done.
The Buddy started and ran fine for a week, but it wouldn't start this morning. I got it started this afternoon and took it around the block, but an hour later it refused to start again.
When I try to start it, it makes a weak effort to turn over, sounds like it halfway turns. Kickstart doesn't help.
Any ideas? I am wondering whether all the dust got into a fuel intake or some other area of the Buddy, making it hard to start. If not the dust, what else might this be?
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viney266
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Clean the air filter, and replace the spark plug. Those are the only two things the dust storm can get to. Only other thing would be if some was in the fuel tank it could have clogged the fuel filter.
I would take the battery and charge it or get it charged. The buddy electrical system is more of a "maintenance" system and will not bring a dead battery back very easily. Charge it up, check the battery and try again.
I would take the battery and charge it or get it charged. The buddy electrical system is more of a "maintenance" system and will not bring a dead battery back very easily. Charge it up, check the battery and try again.
Speed is only a matter of money...How fast do you want to go?
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viney266
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^^^ Well good luck with the new family addition...BTW; if you have any questions about that I can explain how she got that way and what causes such things!Bulls Eye wrote:Great, thanks for the suggestions. I'll report back when I have a result. (it may be a little while before I can work on it- the missus is due to give birth tomorrow!)
Thanks again for the kind advice!
Speed is only a matter of money...How fast do you want to go?
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Bulls Eye
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Update:
Took it to the shop and they diagnosed the problem as a bad battery. It starts fine with another battery, and if jumpstarted from a charger.
I didn't suspect the battery since all the lights came on strong when I was trying to get it figured out at home. Guess this is the excuse I need to go get a voltmeter- after I buy a new battery.
Took it to the shop and they diagnosed the problem as a bad battery. It starts fine with another battery, and if jumpstarted from a charger.
I didn't suspect the battery since all the lights came on strong when I was trying to get it figured out at home. Guess this is the excuse I need to go get a voltmeter- after I buy a new battery.