Scooter just got super loud, really loud

[bowdwin]

Hey guys,

I just got a Roughouse R50 Titanium scooter a couple months ago, and yesterday I was driving and heard a little rattling when going over bumps. I was only going about 4 miles. About 2 minutes from my destinations, the rattling stopped and my scooter is now extremely loud. Do you know what it might be? It sounds like something may have fallen off the bottom. When I listen to it, it's coming from the very bottom of the scooter not the back.

thanks!

[jrsjr]

My guess is your exhaust has a problem. There are a couple things that can happen. First, the exhaust pipe can come unbolted from the cylinder. That should be easy to find, but make sure the engine is nice and cool before you go feeling around with your fingers. Second, the pipe can break free from the exhaust can. I broke a scooter exhaust there one time.

That's the two most common noisy exhaust problems that I've seen. The first might be no big deal, just bolt it back up. Or the studs to which the exhaust attaches might have pulled out of the cylinder head. That's a little more problematical. You'll need some mechanical skills to resolve that. If the pipe had broken free from the can, you'll either need somebody with welding skills or a new exhaust. EDIT: Rereading your post, I see that you've only had this scooter a couple months. If it's new, by all means let your dealer deal with it.

There are a host of other things it might be, some of which have nothing to do with the exhaust, but that's where I usually start when somebody's scooter suddenly get loud but continues to run.

Good Luck. Please let us know what you find.

[sc00ter]

Get a wet rag, start the scoot on the center stand and let it just idle, and with the wet rag plug off the exhaust end. It should stall, if it continues to run you have a leak. Dont be silly and ride it around with the loud, broken pipe alot-the lack of back pressure will eventually damage the top end. It will be fine to ride it to a dealership (if its relatively close by you) for a warranty repair. If you just had a nut or something come loose and you think you can fix it, make sure the gasket between the muffler and cylinder is in there for proper sealing. I always keep extra gaskets around-but I have a high revving Zuma, and it loves to rattle loose! The nuts are 10-15Nm's torque if you decide to fix it yourself. I have found a dab of blue Loc-Tite to help keep them in place. Keep us posted, as the RH is a hard scoot to kill because of its overall quality.

[[email protected]]

My Buddy just did the same thing. What was the trouble? Scooter place closed today and if it is something I might do myself I would like to.
Thanks

[cummingsjc]

As the second poster pointed out above, you probably have an exhaust leak. Look up underneath the scooter right about where the center stand attaches to the bottom of the scooter. This is where the exhaust pipe bolts onto the bottom of the engine. Best case scenario, one or both of retaining nuts might have vibrated themselves loose allowing the exhaust to escape without working it's way through the muffler. Worst case scenario would be the threaded rods that the nuts go on are sheared off. If the nuts are missing or loose, it is an easy fix (assuming that the exhaust gasket is still in place) by tightening them back down or replacing them. Just be careful to not overtighten them causing them to strip out or shear off the engine block. This is a bigger pain to repair. Also check to see if your muffler is loose as the two main retaining bolts (located on the side of the scooter in from of the back wheel) might have backed themselves out a bit.

When in doubt, take it to a professional mechanic for advice and repair!