150 won't get up to speed, seems under-powered

racerjay55 · Post by **racerjay55** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:38 am

I have a 2009 Buddy 150 (750 miles on it) I got from a friend who had let it sit with a full tank of gas for a year.

I scolded her severely, and have done the following;

1) drained the gas tank and rinsed it out( & cleaned the petcock)
2) replace the fuel filter
3) dismantled the carb, soaked it, cleaned it
3) removed and examined the spark plug, it looks fine
4) put in fresh gas(super unleaded)
5) replaced the battery

With all of that the scoot starts easy and idles fine, but it will barely get to 40 mph and it seems to take forever to get there at full throttle. I am a pretty big guy (6 ft 265 lbs) but i remember riding it before she let it sit with both of us and I could do 60 mph easy. It feels like it has a governor on it...it just won't "rev up". And the gas mileage is really crappy too.

I will take any and all suggestions, as I am frustrated as heck.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:49 am

Valve adjustment? I always guess that.

Just don't drive yourself crazy with it. Here is a thread by someone who had a similar problem. Driven crazy by it, too. If just a tad.

Just reading it and all that was done may help you find a way to your problem.

topic21138.html

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:50 am

First thought is to run some Seafoam through it. Did you check the airbox/air filter for blockages?

You might want to read through this thread for ideas. I recently went through something not entirely dissimilar with my 150. The diagnosis was hell but the final fix was easy.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 2:27 am

Yes, check the airbox for a mice invasion. Are you SURE you got that carb clean? And just pitch the old plug ALways! plugs are cheap and a fouled one can make you crazy!

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 6:08 am

Any other symptoms? Stalling?

I'd check the air box band replace the air filter. Check the valves (clearance probably fine; make sure they're clean and unobstructed.) Same for the jets. Then maybe check the fuel petcock.

racerjay55 · Post by **racerjay55** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 2:27 pm

thanks for all the replies. The airbox, seems fine, good seal, the air filter looks ok, will replace. Haven't run seafoam, because I dismantled the carb and cleaned everything, jets, needle n seat, everything. Can't imagine with on 750 miles that the valves have come out of adjustment. Will change the spark plug. And see where that goes. I have worked on a BUNCH of motors, V8's, 6 cylinders, 4 bangers, even lawn mower's...but I have never seen a motor as "sensitive" as this scoot motor.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:26 pm

racerjay55 wrote: Haven't run seafoam, because I dismantled the carb and cleaned everything, jets, needle n seat, everything.

How sure are you that there is no obstruction in the main jet? It really doesn't take much. I'd replace the jets and run some Seafoam to boot. (it is a fairly easy thing to try and fits the symptoms)

racerjay55 · Post by **racerjay55** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:36 pm

Dooglas wrote: How sure are you that there is no obstruction in the main jet? It really doesn't take much. I'd replace the jets and run some Seafoam to boot. (it is a fairly easy thing to try and fits the symptoms)

I am really sure it's obstruction free, I took the low jet and the main jet off the carb(along with the float, needle n seat, etc), soaked them then cleaned with wire, sprayed with carb cleaner.

I wonder are there "adjustments" for the jets? They appeared to be screwed in all the way when I removed them, so that's how I re-installed them.

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:05 am

I'd suggest going back and reading the thread Skootz posted. His issue was very much like yours and just as hard to troubleshoot. If you want a spoiler, skip right to this post: viewtopic.php?t=21138&postdays=0&postor ... 150#272786
This is why you're hearing airbox from everyone. Once you get it fixed up, it should be solid. These scooters really aren't "sensitive" as long as you ride them on a regular basis. Once they're left to sit for a while, though, all bets are off.