Very hard to start, runs fine

Chilly · Post by **Chilly** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:37 am

My starter has been broke for a couple months, been kickstarting which has been fine. I ride every day, 200 miles a week. Suddenly it has become very hard to start. Rides fine at speed. Idles mostly fine though the problem began with a stall at a traffic light. Had to stop for a dozen lights after and it idled fine. Got home tried to start, again very hard. Let it idle for 10 minutes with no problem. It seems after i'm about to give up after 20 or 30 kickstarts it will start all of a sudden and then run fine. Any ideas? No sputtering or anything. Kickstart appears fine, just recentely has been cleaned out. Please help.

brianwheelies · Post by **brianwheelies** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:11 am

Choke has gone bad?

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:45 pm

I had similar (but not quite the same) problems that were solved by replacing the spark plug. It's a cheap experiment, and if it doesn't fix it, you'll have a fresh spark handy for when you do need it.

superseagulls · Post by **superseagulls** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 4:58 pm

Same here recently, turned out the gap on the exhaust valve was out.....

lorenajack · Post by **lorenajack** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:20 pm

Two cycle scooters foul plugs quite easily.
I keep a few handy for situations mentioned in this forum.
I have been known to replace them half way home when
my scooter all of a sudden quits!

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:11 pm

You mean it won't start, won't start, won't start, won't start, starts right up and runs fine? When I first read this thread I though faulty choke, but that description sounds electrical.

What doesn't work on the starter? Does it just spin without engaging? Or does it do nothing, like it's getting no power?

Chilly · Post by **Chilly** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:45 pm

Thanks for the replies. It's a 4-stroke. Fresh spark plug, valves recentely checked and are good. Starter does very little, makes a quick, quiet whirl noise, am replacing starter this weekend, it's on route from scooterworks. A co-worker did a check on my starter and said it was bad using test wires and the battery. Started up on 2nd try this morning and idled for 5 minutes before dying and the wouldn't start again. Added 2oz seafoam last night. The auto-choke seems good as it worked fine this morning getting her started. I was thinking an electrical thing also. My plan is to check all connections and clean the jets this weekend. Could it be the "idle jet" this makes sense to me as it doesn't seem to have any problem as long as I'm giving it gas, not sure if that is how it works in reality. Co-worker suggested maybe the fuel filter was clogged and/or debri in gas? Going to go try her out right now, ride around the block a few times if possible.

EDIT: started on fourth kick, drove a few miles then let it sit and idle for 10 minutes. The idle was a touch rough, only a touch. Turned it off, after a couple minutes tried to start again and nothing, tried several times over 20 minutes or so, nothing.

Chilly · Post by **Chilly** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 4:02 pm

Just in case there is anyone following this(lol) I'll update. I've noticed a obvious trend. It is starting when stone cold, not starting hot. My co-worker immediately says "CDI" when I mention this. He says to test pour ice cold water on CDI and then try to start. Going to try this today. Have already ordered a new CDI (NCY brand and new ncy Coil and spark plug boot) is this a good replacement?

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:01 pm

If it is fine when cold and wonky when warm it sounds more likely an auto-choke issue to me.

Chilly · Post by **Chilly** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:17 pm

Is there a way to check if the auto-choke is good/bad? Is the "auto bystarter set" in this link the auto-choke?
http://www.scooterloungeonline.com/prod ... Carburetor

I ruled out the auto-choke earlier because it operates fine, the stalling doesn't happen to a couple minutes after the auto-choke has done it's thing. Of course I could be missing something here?

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:21 am

I had a 1979 Datsun 620 pickup that had the same symptom (died after it warmed up), and it turned out being the IC Ignition unit in the distributor.

Probably, that's not very helpful...