Overheated? You tell me ;)

robindean · Post by **robindean** » Sun May 27, 2012 11:54 pm

Hi all. New member here.

My wife and I were cruising around Chicago by the lakefront. Even there, the temperature today was about 97 degrees

She just got her 125 and is in love with it

... our average speed (neighborhood putting around) was between 25-35 mph. Then we came to an open stretch of smooth rode and her (my wife's) confidence grew. She felt good so she opened up the throttle, pushing 45/50 mph.

We got to the end of the road, turned around, had a quick sip of water and headed back the same way at the same speed. Suddenly, the bike started to "bog" and no matter how much throttle my wife offered, "Betty" (our Buddy) eventually died.

We sat idly next to 'er and waited for 15 minutes. Then, we were able to start her back up. Back to 40 mph we went and then it happened again.

My wife was worried. I told her it's likely just because it is SO very HOT here today and the mechanical design of the scooter simply did what it was supposed to and quit for it's own good

15 minutes more of sitting and she ran beautifully all the way home.

Now, while I do have a pdf manual for "Betty", I haven't had time to completely absorb her specs. I'm more of a motorcycle guy. I feel that my assessment was correct but am looking for a little reinforcement.

Can anyone else say they've experienced something like this? Should I be too concerned?

Thanks and regards.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Mon May 28, 2012 12:04 am

Buddys are generally pretty bulletproof in the heat. Had you just gassed up? Sounds like vapor lock. Next time it happens open up the gas tank and see if there is a slight sound of air rushing in. If so that is the issue. Just remember to leave and inch to spare when gassing up and you'll be fine.

Also, check that you have the vented gas cap. It is an easy fix if you do not but I don't believe 2008's came with them. (You're in Chicago so Scooterworks should be able to hook you up.)

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Mon May 28, 2012 1:35 am

Skootz Kabootz wrote:Also, check that you have the vented gas cap. It is an easy fix if you do not but I don't believe 2008's came with them.

Good call. I believe the 2008s were the first year of the redesigned gas tank and did not use (come with) a vented cap - so that is one of the first things to check. Could be one of many other things but this one is easy to check and easy to fix.

robindean · Post by **robindean** » Mon May 28, 2012 4:31 am

Thanks, guys.

She gassed up just before we started our ride. I - THINK - I noticed a vented cap. I'll check for sure tomorrow.

To bolster your prediction as well as mine (overheat?), letting it sit for 10/15 minutes got it to start back up again.

I know nothing about these scoots, so I'm slightly in the dark. I just changed the oil to Rotella-T ... the extent of my service to it thus far.

Any other pitfalls or easter eggs I should keep my eyes out for?

robindean · Post by **robindean** » Mon May 28, 2012 4:32 am

Example question ... is there a fuel filter on this thing? If I were to install an inline filter ... where's the access? LOL ... fun fun fun.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Mon May 28, 2012 6:06 am

DO NOT fill up the tank the whole way. ALWAYS keep the gas a couple inches down from the tank opening every fill up.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Mon May 28, 2012 6:21 am

robindean wrote:...To bolster your prediction as well as mine (overheat?), letting it sit for 10/15 minutes got it to start back up again...

That actually points again to the vapor lock (or vacuum lock as it is also known). Letting the scooter sit allows the air pressure in the gas tank to equalize again and so it starts up again. Ride again for a while and the vacuum builds again, starving the engine of gas again, and it bogs down/stalls out again.

Check that your gas cap has a small hole in it on the top and another on the underside. That is a vented gas cap (which helps relieve the issue). Other than that just be sure to leave an inch to spare when gassing up. That should do the trick.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Mon May 28, 2012 9:03 am

k1dude wrote:DO NOT fill up the tank the whole way. ALWAYS keep the gas a couple inches down from the tank opening every fill up.

+1 To elaborate...I usually fill to the lip you see a couple of inches down when you remove the gas cap.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Mon May 28, 2012 11:03 am

All of the above, and you should already have an inline fuel filter a few inches back from the carb. It's an easy swap if you take out the four bolts holding the underseat bucket.

Oparu · Post by **Oparu** » Mon May 28, 2012 1:04 pm

I also think it's vapor lock. I got my Buddy last October and it did something similar when I took my first long (20+) mile ride in November. After I opened the gas cap and put it back on, it started up.

In the months after that, it stalled a couple of times so I would open and close the gas cap before taking a ride. A couple of months ago, I went in for an oil change and got a vented gas cap while I was there and no stalls since then.

robindean · Post by **robindean** » Mon May 28, 2012 2:20 pm

Cool. Thanks, folks!

I'm conscious about not overfilling already but thanks for lookin' out

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Mon May 28, 2012 3:53 pm

michelle_7728 wrote:
k1dude wrote:DO NOT fill up the tank the whole way. ALWAYS keep the gas a couple inches down from the tank opening every fill up.
+1 To elaborate...I usually fill to the lip you see a couple of inches down when you remove the gas cap.

You know, I never knew what people were talking about when they said fill to the lip a couple of inches down. My 2008 Italia did not have that lip. I finally learned what that was when I filled my new 2012 125 for the first time! So the moral of this story is, the OP, who has a 2008, probably doesn't have that lip as a point of reference.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Mon May 28, 2012 6:50 pm

pdxrita wrote:
michelle_7728 wrote:
k1dude wrote:DO NOT fill up the tank the whole way. ALWAYS keep the gas a couple inches down from the tank opening every fill up.
+1 To elaborate...I usually fill to the lip you see a couple of inches down when you remove the gas cap.
You know, I never knew what people were talking about when they said fill to the lip a couple of inches down. My 2008 Italia did not have that lip. I finally learned what that was when I filled my new 2012 125 for the first time! So the moral of this story is, the OP, who has a 2008, probably doesn't have that lip as a point of reference.

How weird. I used to have a 2008 Buddy 125 and it DID have the lip.

Good point though. Apparently models vary discretely, and one can't make assumptions.

Go figure.

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Mon May 28, 2012 7:02 pm

michelle_7728 wrote:How weird. I used to have a 2008 Buddy 125 and it DID have the lip.

Good point though. Apparently models vary discretely, and one can't make assumptions.

Go figure.

Interesting. Maybe it's a difference between the 150's and the 125's, or maybe it just depends on which gas tanks were there the day the scooter was built. I guess I'll never know. What I know now, though, is that it's a real pain to fill up with that lip getting in the way, as compared to filling up without it.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Mon May 28, 2012 7:21 pm

My '08 Buddy 125 doesn't have the lip either.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Mon May 28, 2012 7:46 pm

Yep, maybe it's like pdxrita said...depends on which tank was there that day in the manufacturing process.

I actually like the lip, as it helps me to fill up to exactly the same point each time.

Sorry about highjacking your thread, robindean.

robindean · Post by **robindean** » Tue May 29, 2012 1:14 am

No sweat, seriously.

We DO have the lip on ours and we didn't surpass it.

I've never experienced such a thing before and you've helped me to resolve the issue

I hereby relinquish this thread to whoever wants it

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Tue May 29, 2012 4:31 am

What did your issue end up being?

robindean · Post by **robindean** » Wed May 30, 2012 10:26 pm

Well, it hasn't happened since and it appears that the PO attempted to drill the cap but didn't go all the way through the rubber seal.

We're waiting to run into the issue again to do a test on the cap