Buddy won't start on warm mornings, starts in the afternoon

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ChiPen
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Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2015 7:06 pm
Location: Chicago

Buddy won't start on warm mornings, starts in the afternoon

Post by ChiPen »

Hi all. Buddy was just in for service in the spring. Clean carb, clean bill of health. No problems kick starting up until two days ago when I tried to start it in the morning. Kicked many times, flooded, gave up. Later that day I kicked it over first time and ran no problem. It happened again this morning, it will probably turn over later today without protest. The electric start doesn't work, is it worth fixing to keep this from happening or is there something else I should investigate first?
You haven't lived until you've been on Lake Shore Drive on a 50cc Buddy.
paracer
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Post by paracer »

I would change the spark plug That would be my first suggestion. Swap it out and see what happens.

Do you know why the electric start doesn't work?
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ChiPen
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Post by ChiPen »

I bought it non-working and haven't missed it enough to fix it. It's never been a problem until this week, it's always kicked over within the first three or four attempts (at the worst, when it's cold, even after the winter). I had the carb cleaned a few months ago and am wondering if the hose is loose or detached. I was told to check the fuel tap as well.

It kicks over in the afternoon with one kick. That part makes no sense to me.
You haven't lived until you've been on Lake Shore Drive on a 50cc Buddy.
dasscooter
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Post by dasscooter »

Using the kickstarter as the primary means of starting will eventually destroy the kickstart assembly, I've seen it a couple times.
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skully93
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Post by skully93 »

dasscooter wrote:Using the kickstarter as the primary means of starting will eventually destroy the kickstart assembly, I've seen it a couple times.
They get gummed up very easily. I've only been able to kickstart mine SOME of the time. I thought I was just bad at it, but even the dealer employees were like "this isn't working".

I still have my replacement gear, it was $12. Mostly seems to just need to be taken apart/cleaned frequently.
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ChiPen
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Post by ChiPen »

I would agree with that except it's been kicked over for three years with absolutely no problems, and kicks over in the afternoons first try. It's not the kick assembly, pretty sure.

Our mornings have been humid, I'm thinking of changing the spark plug in case it's starting to fail and the weather isn't helping.
You haven't lived until you've been on Lake Shore Drive on a 50cc Buddy.
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