my 09's newest cute quirk - throttle issues? or low idle?

Tam Tam · Post by **Tam Tam** » Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:51 pm

So, bearing in mind that all Stella's develop funky issues of all sorts, here is mine's latest, and I ask in advance for gentle understanding from the tech savvy folk-
Yesterday, rode her around for two hours, no hassles.

Today, leaving for work, and she's pokey at the stop sign. If I stop on an upgrade, I have to give it a lot more than usual throttle to keep her from stalling.
I've been using Marvel Mystery Oil for about 300 miles now...

I did add gas twice in two days.

Now, she's in the garage idling, with a half full tank of supreme, and a cap full of seafoam. The main symptom seems to be this - the idle seems to be a bit weaker than before, and (in neutral) if I twist the throttle, there seems to be a slight delay before the engine revves. Now, once she's going, the throttle seems to be just fine. But her idle seems 'weaker', and when the throttle is twisted, there is a delay before the engine responds.

I'm afraid it's either something incredibly simple, or it's indicative of something dark and evil to come...

any advice you folk can give would be appreciated greatly.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 4:21 am

Do you always use premium and....are you saying you use marvel as your two stroke oil?

Rob

JoshWED · Post by **JoshWED** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 4:35 am

have you adjusted the idle screw?

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 1:17 pm

Yeah some clarity on the Marvel Mystery Oil would help. It's great stuff when used for the right application but I have never heard of using it for 2T oil.

Don't want to start an octane war but with the low compression I would suggest using regular

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 3:56 pm

BuddyRaton wrote: Don't want to start an octane war but with the low compression I would suggest using regular

As a chemist I second this.

Tam Tam · Post by **Tam Tam** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 4:33 pm

marvel mystery oil is an additive that was recommended to me by the shop here, to counter the effects of ethanol and such. I am using 2 stroke oil, and the
Marvel is added to the gas. Normally, I use premium gas (89 octAne). I have not made any adjustments to the idle screw. A friend suggested that it could be running too rich, or that maybe the fuel filter should be cleaned. The carb jets were sprayed at it's service 400 miles ago.
I know the Stella's vibrate and shake and can rattlle pieces and parts loose. Can the idle screw be affected thusly?

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 7:13 pm

I would suggest Seafoam instead of MMO for ethanol gas. First thing I would do is pull the plug and see if it is fouled.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Sun Aug 26, 2012 11:13 pm

First, I recommend using regular fuel.
The compression of the Stella is so low, the cylinder environment is not conducive to complete combustion of a high octane fuel.......keep in mind, our regular is a far better product than fuel available in other countries.
The Stella is designed around those poorer quality fuels.
IMO, our regular is a bit of a treat for a lo-po engine like this.

Remember, every additive you introduce to the fuel tank is essentially making your jetting leaner.
By having M/M/O and Sea foam mixed in with the fuel, your percentage of actual combustable gasoline going through the jets is reduced, causing a lean condition.
I see no need for a steady diet of Sea Foam or M/M/O.

Marvel has a reputation for success at cleaning valve guides/stems and a good upper cylinder lubricant........that does not apply to your 2t Stella.

Sea Foam is designed to be used as a problem resolver,,,,,,A detergent enhancer if you will......there is no reason for this to be constantly mixed into fuel containing detergents if the carburation is in good order.

All that aside......get the fuel burned off some and top off with regular before you start thinking expensive repairs.

Good luck,
Rob

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:09 am

A good ethanol-treating additive will not actually lean out your mixture as it will burn like gasoline. I personally use startron and try to do so at every fuel up since I have two bikes I alternate between and sometimes one ends up sitting for a few days.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Mon Aug 27, 2012 1:15 am

Yeah the leaning out is an old time argument that I don't buy. Even an ounce of seafoam in a tank is less than .5 percent. I toss in an ounce every month or two to get any water out of the tank and float bowl.

If it was leaned out it would be running better...hotter...but better. A 2T never runs as good as it does uber leaned out...right before it seizes!

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Mon Aug 27, 2012 1:50 am

I mention it only because the OP has Sea - Foam AND Marvel Mystery Oil mixed with his fuel......neither product is a power producer.

Rob

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Mon Aug 27, 2012 2:14 am

I'd drain the tank and refill with Regular Unleaded gasoline, No additives and then see how it's behaving.

I have run a bottle of Seafoam through the occasional old bike that I purchased and came to me with bad gas in the tank and carburetor when I've been too lazy to clean the carburetors but on a Day to Day basis I don't ever run any additives (Unless you count Premix). I find the gas I get from QuickTrip or Chevron works just fine by itself.

Tam Tam · Post by **Tam Tam** » Mon Aug 27, 2012 2:45 am

Thank, everyone, for the tips and hints. I suppose it may have been very noticeable to me as I had been riding for several hours the day before.
So I believe I will run the scoot with a tank of regular , and no additives, and then see what's whAt before going into the carbeurator. Perhaps I became a bit over excited by mystery oil (it did wonders for the blackjack and my Honda civic).
I love my Stella, and am now getting very comfy with the shifting and handling, and now understand what the 2 stroke buzz really is.
And thank you thank you much for everyone's input. The coolest thing about MB is when folk offer their input and experience in a friendly helpful and non-judgemental way (once, when asking a battery question, someone ventured that the problem was ' not the scooter, not the battery-it's you'. ... in reference to what they presumed my riding style was.)
Thanx again everyone for you time and input.

Stella riders and Buddy riders seem to always be the coolest and most helpful folks. [/b]