Why wont my scooter stay running?

lozon98 · Post by **lozon98** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 12:46 am

Hi i have a RoadRunner 50cc Calssic Scooter made by iScooters and my scooter would not even run when i got it, but then i put a new spark plug in, new petcock and petcock filter in, new in line fuel filter, and new gas. So now it starts after a few times of holding the electric start or after a few times of kick starting it but it still doesnt start sometimes only when i get lucky. So i was wondering if anyone can tell me why it only starts sometimes and why does it run for like 5 seconds and then stall. I cleaned the carb with carb cleaner, i cleaned all my jets in the carb, i cleaned and checked all my lines and it still doesnt want to stay running! Please help and suggestions would be great!

Ninjasurfergirl · Post by **Ninjasurfergirl** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:33 am

Because its a Chinese scooter which are known for problems very early on, sometimes straight out of the box

Those scooters have a rep for spending more time in the shop than on the road.
Sorry

lozon98 · Post by **lozon98** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:35 am

well that doesn't help my problem. So are you saying its unfixable?

dtcrouch · Post by **dtcrouch** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:56 am

is it getting fire ?

lozon98 · Post by **lozon98** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:57 am

Sorry I'm new at this stuff what do you mean by fire?

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:05 am

lozon98 wrote:well that doesn't help my problem. So are you saying its unfixable?

Nothing is unfixable, it's just you may find the cost and time involved to not have been worth the savings realized by buying a Chinese scooter. It also may be just the first of your problems.

I know that's not what you want to hear, but you may want to have the bike checked out by a mechanic, even if you get it working. They can help you determine if it is safe to ride.

lozon98 · Post by **lozon98** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:07 am

finding out if it is safe to ride sounds good but I still want to try to get it to stay running any suggestions anyone on how to get it to stay running?

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:22 am

Was there gas in it when you got it? If so it's possible the gas in the carb went bad. Put some SeaFoam in the tank and keep it running. Or pull the carb and clean it - including both jets.

lozon98 · Post by **lozon98** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:24 am

yes there was an old gas in there and I took all the gas out and clean the tank out and cleaned the carb and cleaned all the lines and both jets.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:27 am

Vacuum leak? Bum choke/ghostwriter?

dtcrouch · Post by **dtcrouch** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:30 am

pull your spark plug put it in the boot then ground the electrode end on a head bolt now make sure your hanging on to the boot not plug turn the engine over is the spark plug firing ?

lozon98 · Post by **lozon98** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:30 am

It could be a vacuum leak but how do I check that all my vacuum hoses look good so I assumed it might not be that.

lozon98 · Post by **lozon98** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:31 am

Yes I am getting spark also.

dtcrouch · Post by **dtcrouch** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:33 am

sorry i didnt read your whole post you do have fire if its starting , in that situation we just change out the whole carb with one from tiawan

lozon98 · Post by **lozon98** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:34 am

How much is that?

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:37 am

since it is not a Buddy or Genuine model, this site may be helpful. just in case you haven't looked yet

http://itistheride.boards.net/

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:37 am

lozon98 wrote:It could be a vacuum leak but how do I check that all my vacuum hoses look good so I assumed it might not be that.

The method I've heard is to squirt some flammable gas (propane? Butane?) in the area of the intake manifold and/or vacuum hose connections as the engine is running. If it starts running better you have an air leak.

Have you pulled the plug? Does it look lean or rich?

lozon98 · Post by **lozon98** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:40 am

Won't the propane start a fire? And does anyone know how much a shop would charge to look at it?

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:48 am

lozon98 wrote:Won't the propane start a fire? And does anyone know how much a shop would charge to look at it?

You use small amounts and only around possible leaks. If it is a vacuum leak you might be able to "nearly" cover the carb top, or the air inlet at the air filter. If you have a vacuum leak it should still run.

lozon98 · Post by **lozon98** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:50 am

So Thats probably not my problem what are other possible reason why it stalls.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 3:05 am

vapor lock? take off the gas cap on and see what happens

hope its not something more involved. could it be something electrical?

just guessing here i am a novice. but i figure even a guess could lead to....something, perhaps

lozon98 · Post by **lozon98** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 3:07 am

Yeah every idea helps thanks I heard a lot about the vapor lock thing where your supposed to take off the gas cap.

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 3:13 am

lozon98 wrote:Won't the propane start a fire? And does anyone know how much a shop would charge to look at it?

You're looking at a minimum of 1 hour of labor. That'll probably run you $80-$90, IF they'll agree to look at your scooter. Some places might not want to touch it.

dtcrouch · Post by **dtcrouch** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 3:22 am

the pilot circuits suck in the stock carbs no matter how many times you clean them they still mess up , also check your grounds one from the battery then from the motor to the frame , vacuum leaks spray carb cleaner on the intake , airbox side of the carb check for any cracks in the vacuum lines if you see any you might as well replace them all we sell the carbs for 53 plus tax

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:38 am

Does it smoke (rich)? Have you checked the plug yet? You say you replaced the petcock. Have you followed the fuel line to make sure it's not kinked? Clone scoots are know to have some questionable parts. I've read of people who replace all fuel/vacuum lines before they even start it up.

Have you checked over at Scoot Dawg? Never mind, it looks like it died back in March. That's too bad, I thought it was a pretty active forum.

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:31 pm

Syd wrote:Does it smoke (rich)? Have you checked the plug yet? You say you replaced the petcock. Have you followed the fuel line to make sure it's not kinked? Clone scoots are know to have some questionable parts. I've read of people who replace all fuel/vacuum lines before they even start it up.

Have you checked over at Scoot Dawg? Never mind, it looks like it died back in March. That's too bad, I thought it was a pretty active forum.

They've been reincarnated as:

http://itistheride.boards.net/index.cgi

tortoise · Post by **tortoise** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 1:57 pm

lozon98 wrote:RoadRunner 50cc Calssic Scooter made by iScooters

No mention of checking valve lash . . bit of a challenge on this body style (seat tub does NOT just lift out), but with the aid of a socket-set universal the task can be performed through the oval access cover.

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Throwback7R · Post by **Throwback7R** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:27 pm

if you have spark you could check compression " needed compression tester" you can rent them from autozone or other parts store that rents tools out.

it will be the carb. ..

I will guess carb from reading what i have from this post. " old gas, you took it apart to clean it. etc.

Did you adjust any screws? the mixture screw is very fun to mess with. So read what you can about gy6 50cc engines.

Modern Buddy

Why wont my scooter stay running?

Why wont my scooter stay running?

Re: Why wont my scooter stay running?