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Problems starting after transporting

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 12:37 pm
by newbuddy
I just bought a used buddy. After transporting it on a trailer, I noticed a gas smell and some gas on the trailer bed. I was unable to start the buddy using the electric or kick start. I'm assuming some fuel line came loose in transport which explains both the smell/leak and the inability to start. Where would be the best place to look for a loose fuel line? Is there an easy to follow diagram I could use to diagnose where the problem is? Thanks!

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 4:24 pm
by Lokky
unless it's gushing gas you probably didn't disconnect a fuel line.

What's more likely is that the vibrations sent gas flying everywhere and got your air filter wet or your carb flooded. Just let it sit for a while to let the gas evaporate and it should start right up!

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 4:36 pm
by TVB
If you end up having to figure out if something's loose, manuals can be found here: topic17349.html

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 4:45 pm
by newbuddy
Lokky wrote:unless it's gushing gas you probably didn't disconnect a fuel line.

What's more likely is that the vibrations sent gas flying everywhere and got your air filter wet or your carb flooded. Just let it sit for a while to let the gas evaporate and it should start right up!
I let it sit overnight and that didn't fix it.

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 6:18 pm
by newbuddy
newbuddy wrote:
Lokky wrote:unless it's gushing gas you probably didn't disconnect a fuel line.

What's more likely is that the vibrations sent gas flying everywhere and got your air filter wet or your carb flooded. Just let it sit for a while to let the gas evaporate and it should start right up!
I let it sit overnight and that didn't fix it.
Got it running after taking out and drying off the spark plug, then turning it over without the spark plug in to clear out the fuel that flooded it.
The problem now is that it's spewing out white smoke.

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 6:27 pm
by Skootz Kabootz
To avoid gas sloshing around and causing problems it's a good practice to make sure you have a fairly empty gas tank before transporting your scooter.

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 6:36 pm
by tortoise
newbuddy wrote:Got it running after taking out and drying off the spark plug, then turning it over without the spark plug in to clear out the fuel that flooded it.
The problem now is that it's spewing out white smoke.
Sounds like a carb float related issue. Might get lucky . . tap the carb fuel bowl with something like a plastic screwdriver handle. Research by searching Google Images and YouTube for something like . . cv carb float. Also change your engine oil.

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 6:38 pm
by ericalm
Skootz Kabootz wrote:To avoid gas sloshing around and causing problems it's a good practice to make sure you have a fairly empty gas tank before transporting your scooter.
If only we had a time machine!

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 6:39 pm
by newbuddy
tortoise wrote:
newbuddy wrote:Got it running after taking out and drying off the spark plug, then turning it over without the spark plug in to clear out the fuel that flooded it.
The problem now is that it's spewing out white smoke.
Sounds like a carb float related issue. Might get lucky . . tap the carb fuel bowl with something like a plastic screwdriver handle. Research by searching Google Images and YouTube for something like . . cv carb float. Also change your engine oil.
I wouldn't think the oil would be the problem since it wasn't spewing white smoke before. What do you think is exactly wrong with the float?

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 6:41 pm
by newbuddy
ericalm wrote:
Skootz Kabootz wrote:To avoid gas sloshing around and causing problems it's a good practice to make sure you have a fairly empty gas tank before transporting your scooter.
If only we had a time machine!
No kidding. Sellers thought they were helping by filling the gas tank. I thought so too. Next time, I'll know better.

Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 6:45 pm
by viney266
excess fuel can appear white when being pushed out the tailpipe unburned. How long did you run it? I would check the air cleaner just to be safe, then take it for a 15 minute ride. See if it clears out. Check the oil level too. Just to make sure you dont have gas in the oil.

Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 12:25 am
by michelle_7728
newbuddy wrote:
ericalm wrote:
Skootz Kabootz wrote:To avoid gas sloshing around and causing problems it's a good practice to make sure you have a fairly empty gas tank before transporting your scooter.
If only we had a time machine!
No kidding. Sellers thought they were helping by filling the gas tank. I thought so too. Next time, I'll know better.
How full?

Did they fill it to the lower rim, or up to the cap? The lower rim is where you should fill it to when you are just riding it around. I agree that for transport it should be lower even than the lower rim...not sure I'd be sharp enough to think about that one ahead of time either though...(well maybe I would NOW...) :roll:

edited 1st for clarification...as in "lower than...?"
edited 2nd time for a #$%! typo :oops:

Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 4:44 am
by Beamster
White smoke can be bad.
Suggest that you pull the dipstick and smell the in the hole for gasoline.
If the carb float did stick and let fuel pass into the engine, it will have diluted the engine oil and you don't want to be running it that way.

Change the oil immediately if you smell gas in the engine crankcase!

Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 7:19 pm
by kooky scientist
Did you try removing the gas cap and try starting ?