2004 Stella 2T Died While Riding

iameva · Post by **iameva** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 8:53 pm

Hello everyone!

I was riding my Stella 2004 2T when accerating it suddenly just died. It acted like it was out of gas, but there is gas in the tank. I tried both settings on the fuel cock but it still won't fire up and start. It's been colder and my trips haven't been very long when I have been riding (which is almost every other day).

Any suggestions? I'm having a friend come help tomorrow. We're going to check the plug.

I'm a novice when it comes to these things. Any help and suggestions are very welcome!

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 9:13 pm

Died as though running out of fuel is usually first a power loss, a few surges, and then dieing off.

A ignition problem is usually instant.....as though you turned the key off.

Which of these descriptions is closer to what you experienced?

Rob

iameva · Post by **iameva** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 9:53 pm

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the reply. Your first description fits what happened. I was on the throttle when the power died off and by the time I got over to the side of the street out of traffic it had died. I tried to restart, which it did but then died right away. A couple more tries to start with no success.

Maybe a clogged fuel line? Fuel filter--does it have a fuel filter? Would a fouled plug react this way?

Thanks!
Evie

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 11:37 pm

Good idea what with the 10-15% ethanol in use now to be sure that you
are using an anti ethanol fuel treatment such as StaBil Ethanol added to
your fuel. Ethanol can screw up a carb quickly. Not saying that this is what your problem is but not a bad precaution irregardless.

iameva · Post by **iameva** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 11:45 pm

Sounds good. I read somewhere that the colder temps can create more havoc with moisture from the ethanol. I'll be sure to use the StaBil. I think I've been using a synth oil as well and I've heard that might cause some problems too.

So much to learn!

I sure hope it's not a carb problem. It only had 687 miles on it when I bought her in Sept. I've put 700 miles since but I did get a tune-up/check-up prior to riding. I'm hoping it's something simple.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 11:57 pm

My dealer has torn down a couple of his and my carbs. Jets clog up
and the ethanol makes a white jelly like deposit in the carb bowl.
I use synthetic oil in all my scoots.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 12:20 am

Based on your description then it really sounds as though the carburetor was run out of fuel.

This can be caused by a fuel level dropping below the pickup tube, about 1" above the floor of the tank, that supplies fuel with the lever in the on position.
With the lever in the reserve position, fuel is supplied almost from the floor of the fuel tank.

You may have a fuel valve issue that it restricting or not allowing any fuel to the carb......also, don't trust the gauge.....look inside the tank.
I know.....sounds like a silly question but I have had many bikes (and cars) towed in over the years only in need of fuel.

You may also have a restricted vent within the fuel cap.....when restricted, a vacuum develops in the fuel tank, stopping fuel flow to the carburetor,
In this case, you will find the machine starts and runs after the fuel cap is re-installed, only to repeat the stallout in a few minutes because the tank is under vacuum again.
This would only require a gas cap replacement.

I doubt if the fuel filter (yes, there is one) is the current problem since you indicate no performance problem till this incident.
Usually a restricted filter causes a power loss over many miles, not instantly as you describe.

I don't know your capabilities so I'll give a couple of basic diagnostics.

Have a can of spray carburetor cleaner available.
Remove the air filter housing cover and the air filter.

Fire a shot of carb spray down the carburetor.......I mean just a quick burst, not a dousing.
If the carburetor is out of fuel, the engine will start and die when you crank it with the key on.
If it does nothing but crank, then the odds are it is not a fuel related problem.
If it does start and die, turn the fuel lever to the off position, remove the fuel line (not the oil line) from the carb and pull it out of the airbox.
Aim the line into a container (not styrofoam...it melts) and turn on the fuel valve....fuel should flow. Put valve in reserve position...fuel should flow.
If fuel flows freely, reinstall/reclamp the fuel line to the carburetor fuel inlet.

The next step then is to exchange the spark plug.....over the years I have had plugs internally short and feel just like a fuel problem.

Try to start again, not using any carb spray.
If it fires up, shut it down and put the air filter and cover back on.....you resolved the issue with a plug.

Best I can offer from this distance,
Rob

iameva · Post by **iameva** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:18 am

Amazing help!! Thank you Rob and Wolfhound.

Rob, I will work on things tomorrow and update after I try your suggestions. THANK YOU!

Evie

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 2:16 am

Thank you. However Rob gives you exellent advise. I picked up some
things from his last post that I had not considered.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 2:49 pm

If it was me I would start with a carb rebuild. To me it sounds like a sticking float needle or cracked float. Less than $20 for a rebuild kit and about a half hour of work (give it an hour and a half if it is your first time)

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 5:28 pm

Also check your coil, coil braket and spark plug wire/ boot

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:05 pm

viney266 wrote:Also check your coil, coil braket and spark plug wire/ boot

Yeah I forgot to mention check for spark...good catch!

iameva · Post by **iameva** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 2:00 am

Okay, so today I ran through a few different tests and after replacing the plug, it started right up and ran for about 15 min but then the same happened. I pulled the plug back out, and it was a little oily, but not bad. (is a little oil on the plug common?) I reinstalled the plug and limped her home. Anytime I would hit the throttle hard the power would diminish and felt like she was going to die again.

I read here that a bad plug wire cap might cause something similar. I did notice that the cap didn't seem to fit very snug and the old plug had a little corrosion on the end. Will a new NRG plug cap work?

Thanks for all your feedback and advice!!

Evie

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 7:44 am

Yes, a NGK cap will work just fine, just save the rubber boot from around the stock one and re use that.

Also, just check where the wire goes into the cap and the coil. They just thread in and could be loose.

Modern Buddy

2004 Stella 2T Died While Riding

2004 Stella 2T Died While Riding

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