Vapor Lock

Elder Scoot · Post by **Elder Scoot** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 2:07 am

Sorry if this has been discussed before - "Search" turned up strange "debug" message.

My Hooligan wouldn't start one day. Opening the gas cap solved the problem. My dealer has had the same experience with another Hooligan and some 170i Buddies. I don't believe that vapor lock is all that common with fuel injected systems but I have been wrong before.

Would drilling a small hole in the gas cap fix or create more issues?

KrispyKreme · Post by **KrispyKreme** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 4:36 am

Yup. Drill a small hole in the side of the top "grip". Then on the bottom "round" drill another. Choose a small bit.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 6:12 am

The problem is not "vapor lock". The problem is simply fuel tank venting. Easily diagnosed by loosening the fuel cap. A simple fix is to drill a very small whole in the cap. There are numerous discussions and instructions on this site.

KrispyKreme · Post by **KrispyKreme** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 8:32 am

Dooglas wrote:The problem is not "vapor lock". The problem is simply fuel tank venting. Easily diagnosed by loosening the fuel cap. A simple fix is to drill a very small whole in the cap. There are numerous discussions and instructions on this site.

You get so grumpy late at night.

John3:16 · Post by **John3:16** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 4:50 pm

What did your dealer recommend?

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 5:00 pm

John3:16 wrote:What did your dealer recommend?

When I had issues with my Buddy 150 (4-5 years ago) I contacted Genuine/Scooterworks they sent me a vented cap.
Drilling two tiny holes, one in the grip part of the cap, the other in the inside part, has solved the issue for many members here.

Elder Scoot · Post by **Elder Scoot** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 8:26 pm

Dooglas wrote:The problem is not "vapor lock". The problem is simply fuel tank venting. Easily diagnosed by loosening the fuel cap. A simple fix is to drill a very small whole in the cap. There are numerous discussions and instructions on this site.

The fuel cap on the Hooligan is a spring-loaded pop up cap and thanks for the advice.

John3:16 · Post by **John3:16** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 11:57 pm

Did your dealer recommend anything?

Elder Scoot · Post by **Elder Scoot** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 3:05 am

John3:16 wrote:Did your dealer recommend anything?

I asked the dealer to call Genuine to see if they were aware of the issue.

John3:16 · Post by **John3:16** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 8:25 am

No issues with mine so far.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 4:16 pm

We just did this on a brand new '14 125. Or rather, our local shop did.

Mine would do this when it was newish too. venting the cap helped! It shut down twice on my wife in very sticky areas. I know they're beholden to emissions, but I think dealers should just do this standard.

Elder Scoot · Post by **Elder Scoot** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 5:48 pm

John3:16 wrote:If I were to vent the fuel tank on my Hooligan, I would probably remove
the cover around the headlights and disconnect the small rubber
vent hose from the top of the filler pipe.

A small check valve or one-way vent might be able to be installed
there.

No need to drill holes.

That sounds like the best cure - thanks.

Elder Scoot · Post by **Elder Scoot** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 5:49 pm

John3:16 wrote:If I were to vent the fuel tank on my Hooligan, I would probably remove
the cover around the headlights and disconnect the small rubber
vent hose from the top of the filler pipe.

A small check valve or one-way vent might be able to be installed
there.

No need to drill holes.

That sounds like the best cure - thanks.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 11:13 pm

John3:16 wrote:If I were to vent the fuel tank on my Hooligan, I would probably remove the cover around the headlights and disconnect the small rubber vent hose from the top of the filler pipe.
A small check valve or one-way vent might be able to be installed there. No need to drill holes.

That disconnects the mandated evap system as you probably know. Some are hesitant to do that. If you do, I suggest you add a piece of tubing to route any fuel overflow down and away from components of the scooter.

the3rdleonard · Post by **the3rdleonard** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 12:59 pm

Same issue (dies after a bit of riding and popping the cap seems to help, sometimes) but.... My evap system was removed years ago.... thoughts?