Help! Buddy won't start!

sqrlbate · Post by **sqrlbate** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:48 pm

My Blackjack has been sitting for about 3 months. I went to start it today & no luck! It's not completely dead as it turns on & revs when I push the start. However, it doesn't want to catch. It caught a couple times but died again right away. Any ideas!?!?!

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:55 pm

I'm no mechanic, nor did I ever play one on TV, but it sounds like a classic case of 'Scooter Abuse' (how dare you) the jets and etc in the carb are clogged from sitting with un-stabalized fuel (I've been guilty of this as well), but I will however default to those who know better......

sqrlbate · Post by **sqrlbate** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:57 pm

I know, shame on me

I had a feeling it was a fuel issue. Now I just need a fix!

CROSSBOLT · Post by **CROSSBOLT** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 9:44 pm

Take carb off, remove float bowl, clean out same. Remove idle jet (small one with out the throttle slide needle running thru it) and soak in carb cleaner. This thing is quite small and the hole is REALLY small. You may have to clean the hole by pushing a really smaller wire thru it. Be a good idea to totally disassemble the carb and clean every thing while you are at it. That is all that is required to get her running again.

Karl

PS: Most dealers do not have the capability to do this and will just sell you a new carb.

sqrlbate · Post by **sqrlbate** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 9:55 pm

Looks like I'll have to peruse through the how-to section! Thanks for the help!

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 10:37 pm

Locate the carburetor fuel bowl drain screw.....it'll be at the bottom of the fuel bowl aimed sideways.
There usually is a tube leading from the bowl to the ground...sometimes just a nipple w/no hose.

The screw will be tight....it will break free with a snap and then loosen it a turn or two, allowing the fuel in the carb to drain.

What has happened is the high ends of the fuel, those that make for easy starting, have evaporated off, leaving behind a almost uncombustable fluid.

Once drained (about 10cc...looks like a gallon but it isn't) close the drain screw fully.
You will have to crank the engine with the starter around 15 seconds for the vacuum fuel valve to open and refill the carburetor.

99% of the time this is successful after a less than 6 month sitting ordeal.

Can't beat the price if it works for you and when it starts, drive it about ten minutes with the first stop being a gas station to top off with fresh fuel.
The fuel in the tank has degraded too, but not as much due to the volume involved.

Good luck!
Rob

sqrlbate · Post by **sqrlbate** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 12:12 am

That sounds far less complicated than taking apart the whole thing! I was feeling a bit discouraged since I am by no means a mechanic! Where can I locate that screw?

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:20 am

sqrlbate wrote:That sounds far less complicated than taking apart the whole thing! I was feeling a bit discouraged since I am by no means a mechanic! Where can I locate that screw?

Can't give you much more than my generic suggestion.....I don't own a Buddy, but I do know they use the same design carb as some of my machines.

That being said, hopefully a Buddy owner will chime in with a photo of the carburetor drain screw location.

Rob

CROSSBOLT · Post by **CROSSBOLT** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:42 pm

Definitely try Robbie's idea before you try mine! It is one of those things that say try simple stuff first!

Karl

heyitsomid · Post by **heyitsomid** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:56 pm

Have you checked to see if there is fuel? Maybe an obvious first step. Then clean out the carb <---pain in the butt, and sometimes you miss a spot.