Modern Buddy

Hey folks, you've always been a huge help to me when it's been most needed so I come to you for advice...

Scooter: 2008 Italia (~2k miles, oil change right before going into storage)

After a long period of storage (storage insofar as it was covered and left with nearly an empty tank of gas), my Italia is having issues starting & staying running.

After putting a fresh tank of premium gas in the tank, I had a LOT of trouble getting it started. The only way to get it started was to pump the throttle a few times before ignition and then keep revving to keep the engine from puttering out. Once running, it won't idle, it just dies. If I stay on the throttle, the engine lurches and acts like it wants to die but keeps going if the throttle is anything above idle.

What can I check / replace / clean to get my buddy up and running for the summer? Air filter or something? I'm not a huge engine geek but I can work a wrench if you point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.

It sounds like the jets and/or the carb float valve may be a bit gummed up from the old gas separating and leaving varnishy goo on the small parts.

Run a couple ounces of SeaFoam through it. Pour some in, get the motor running for a bit to draw some into the carb, and let it sit overnight. See if that helps.

If not,you'll need to clean the jets. You don't need to pull the carb completely to do so, but try the SeaFoam first.

Plenty of carb cleaning guidance in the FAQ/Tech section, with pics.

I'd go with a clogged pilot jet. Did you open the drain screw on the carburetor float bowl when you stored the bike? If not, the fuel in the bowl ill separate and the water component of the fuel will evaporate, leaving the heavy petroleum sludge or worse (ethanol jelly crap).

Pete's advice is sound. Add SeaFoam, hope for the best but plan for the worst. Check out this carb diagram for guidance in cleaning it should the need arise.

So far, so good, with the SeaFoam suggestion. Added about 1/2 cup or so to my tank of gas, got it running with heavy revving then let it sit for about an hour.

Came back down to start it up right away, adjusted the idle speed to be a bit higher for the time being and took it up to the Gas Station on the corner to fill the tires. Seems to be running fairly well now.

I'm still unsure where the float drain screw is at- any pictures would be hugely helpful for next season when I winterize it, properly this time.

In the winter, I typically don't drain my carb, but instead add a dose of SeaFoam AND a shot of Stabil fuel stabilizer/conditioner. This keeps the gas in pretty good shape and the rest of the fuel system in good order. Starting it up and warming it up every week or so helps, too, just in case you get a warm, rideable day.