Drove w/ fuel lever in "off" position, won't start

shapiros · Post by **shapiros** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:21 pm

Hi,

New Stella Owner here. I drove to the grocery store last night, everything went fine. On the way home, pulled out without remembering to switch the fuel lever from "off" to "on." After a block or two, the scooter stalled. I went to start it, nothing. Realized that the fuel lever was on "off" so I switched it over to "on." Tried to start it, nothing. Used kick start, nothing. Took the key out, put it back in, nothing. Won't start with the choke in or out. After about 30 minutes of attempted kick starts (at this point dripping sweat in the dark of night), I ended up just walking it the mile home. I haven't tried to start it again today, but I'm wondering if I messed something up badly, and what I can do to fix it. Do you think letting it sit overnight will fix my problems and it will start again or is there something I should do? The scooter is relatively new (50 miles) and has close to a full tank of gas.

Any help anyone has would be appreciated it. Apologies for what I'm assuming is a pretty dumb and/or common newbie mistake.

jamisfoes · Post by **jamisfoes** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:32 pm

When you kick start, you are not supposed to pull the clutch lever in. With the electric start, you pull the clutch lever in. Keep in mind this difference.

If this still doesn't work, remove the right cowl and check the fuel line to make sure there is fuel going through it. The stock fuel filter is not see through so you will need to position the fuel filter so that the black hose inlet is higher than the light grey hose. This will assist any bubble in the fuel line to float up to the tank and the fuel can enter the fuel filter.

shapiros · Post by **shapiros** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:36 pm

I had the bike in neutral with the clutch out for kick starts (so I could feel resistance when kicking) and clutch in when using the electric starter. I will try again tonight but if that doesn't work I'll check the fuel line.

Any other ideas as to what might be the culprit?

And just to be sure, always switch fuel lever to "off" when parked and back to "on" when starting, right? If I don't turn it to "off" I risk flooding the engine which can be bad, right?

jamisfoes · Post by **jamisfoes** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:41 pm

It seems you are doing the kick start correctly.

I am pretty sure it's the fuel line. You probably have a bubble in the fuel line somewhere. Open the right cowl and move the fuel filter so the air can escape to the tank might help.

I never turn it to the off position. I think turning it to off is more for storing the scooter over a long period of time.

Silver Streak · Post by **Silver Streak** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 6:01 pm

jamisfoes wrote: I never turn it to the off position. I think turning it to off is more for storing the scooter over a long period of time.

You are living on borrowed time if you never turn the fuel tap off. When you leave it on, the only thing standing between you and a flooded engine -- or worse, a very big puddle of fuel on the ground or your garage floor -- is the float needle valve in the carburetor.

And all it takes to make the float needle valve leak like crazy is a tiny bit of grit from the float bowl.

That's why "modern" scooter designs use a vacuum tap at the tank... to shut it off automatically any time you park.

jamisfoes · Post by **jamisfoes** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 6:11 pm

Thanks Silver Streak. I didn't know that. I will be sure to use the off switch more often from now on.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:20 pm

Like Silver said...use the tap all the time.

If you are under waranty let the dealer take care of it!

A couple of things could be happening...float needle could be stuck. Here is what I would try first...leave the tap in the off position and try starting...either kick or electric...if it is flooded it will cycle out the "flood and start".

Next I would check for spark.

graywolf · Post by **graywolf** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 9:44 pm

I think you simply have to prime the carb. When you run it like that you wind up with a vacuum in the fuel line between the carb and the fuel switch. Once you get fuel back to the carb, you are going to be fine.

Since I do not have a Stella, I do not know exactly how you prine the carb, but I would bet it will not be hard to find out with a web search.

However, I doubt very much that you have damaged your engine, that is actually the way you go about clearing the carb for winter storage (Close the fuel valve and run all the fuel out of the carburetor).

shapiros · Post by **shapiros** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:40 pm

graywolf wrote:I think you simply have to prime the carb. When you run it like that you wind up with a vacuum in the fuel line between the carb and the fuel switch. Once you get fuel back to the carb, you are going to be fine.

Since I do not have a Stella, I do not know exactly how you prine the carb, but I would bet it will not be hard to find out with a web search.

However, I doubt very much that you have damaged your engine, that is actually the way you go about clearing the carb for winter storage (Close the fuel valve and run all the fuel out of the carburetor).

Thanks for this. Does anyone have instructions on how to prime the carb? I have googled around and can't find much.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:25 pm

Usually I just turn it to "on"...that should do it. You can also try going to reserve.

graywolf · Post by **graywolf** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 8:26 pm

No answers heh?

This is very generic: Remove the air cleaner, turn on the fuel valve, dump about a teaspoon of gasoline into the carburetor. Kick it over, it should start, but may then stall again. If that happens, put in another teaspoon of gas, and try it again. If it doesn't keep running after 2-3 tries, there may be something else wrong because by then the bowl should be full of gasoline.

I suggest using the kick-starter as I think the Stella 4T has electronic ignition, so will not start if you run the battery down too far.

Once running steadily, replace the air cleaner and the engine cowl, and you should be good to go.

WARNING: Doing this tends to wash the oil from the cylinder, so it is not a good idea to do this often. It is not a substitute for keeping the engine in tune.

Also helpful, is a short start up checklist

1. Visually inspect scooter. (look to see that your tires are not soft, and that no one has damaged the scooter while you were away from it.

2. Turn on fuel

3. Turn on choke

4. Turn on ignition

5. Start engine

6. Set choke for warm up

7. Put on helmet and gloves

8. Side and/or center stand up

9. Set choke to run (usually off, except in very cold weather)

10. Have fun

Feel free to cut, paste, and print the check list. Tape it to your handle bar until you have it memorized. I haven't ridden a motorcycle in more than 20 years but still remember that checklist.

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:46 pm

Im going to suggest to crack open the gas cap....
let some air in... tighten back down the gas cap.. then put the fuel tap over to reserve,,, and try restarting....
if nothing... then check for spark... it may be kill switch faulting..
good luck

SockyTX · Post by **SockyTX** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 11:55 pm

When ever I'm arriving To the office or home I usually reach down and switch the fuel tap off when I am with in a quarter-mile of my destination. There is usually enough fuel left to pull in and let it run for a bit. Then I kill the engine with the key instead of the kill switch. Don't know if this is a good practice or not but I haven't had any problems yet.

Opinions?

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 7:36 am

SockyTX wrote:When ever I'm arriving To the office or home I usually reach down and switch the fuel tap off when I am with in a quarter-mile of my destination. There is usually enough fuel left to pull in and let it run for a bit. Then I kill the engine with the key instead of the kill switch. Don't know if this is a good practice or not but I haven't had any problems yet.

Opinions?

The only time you need to run your carb dry is if you are storing it for a long time and you want to avoid fuel evaporating in the carb and leaving gunk behind, if its a daily rider there is no need for this.

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 1:56 pm

I prefer to leave the petcock in the off position when I start it. That was I can look like a doofus 400 yards up the street when it sucks dry. Man, I really love almost dumping the scoot in the same place every time.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:46 pm

Lokky wrote:
SockyTX wrote:When ever I'm arriving To the office or home I usually reach down and switch the fuel tap off when I am with in a quarter-mile of my destination. There is usually enough fuel left to pull in and let it run for a bit. Then I kill the engine with the key instead of the kill switch. Don't know if this is a good practice or not but I haven't had any problems yet.

Opinions?
The only time you need to run your carb dry is if you are storing it for a long time and you want to avoid fuel evaporating in the carb and leaving gunk behind, if its a daily rider there is no need for this.

Or when you are going to trailer or transport it.

jimmbomb · Post by **jimmbomb** » Sun Jan 13, 2013 3:13 am

well ,, we aint heard from

shapiros
Member

since TUEsday..
Wish he'd follow-up...
wondering if he got it running yet.

Modern Buddy

Drove w/ fuel lever in "off" position, won't start

Drove w/ fuel lever in "off" position, won't start

Priming the Carbureator