Buddy 125 runs perfectly smooth... won't go over 35mph

[iinigma7]

My 2007 Italia was backfiring really bad, so I took off the two large rubber hoses from the front and back of the carb, sprayed in a little carb cleaner and then shut it back up. The only things I touched were the large black hoses at the front and back of the carb, and I was sure to reconnect them on nice and tight.

Now my buddy runs smooth like butter, but she won't go over 35mpg, and with ridiculously slow pickup. This is painful as I'm used to topping out at 65mph.

Does anyone have any suggestions about why it might be doing this? Tire pressure and oil level are perfect.

I will also note that it sat for a couple of months unridden before I worked on it. Could gas go bad that quickly?

[skully93]

if it runs smooth up to that point, I doubt the gas is too terrible, though if you're going to leave it sit for more than a week I'd put some stabilizer in there.

[Robbie]

Based on your description I'd first be looking for a really dirty air filter.
Enouph airflow to idle well, not enouph flow to achieve higher rpm.

Rob

[tortoise]

Verify that the carb slide is rising properly (may require a small mirror and flashlight). If not, perhaps there is an intake manifold vacuum leak or a deficiency with the slide diaphragm (under top round cover). Have you performed routine maintenance such as checking valve lash?

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[Beamster]

We had a car that acted like that.
Turned out to be a dirty gas filter.

[iinigma7]

Many thanks for the help everyone. I'm going to dig in and see if I can get the fuel filter really clean. I'm thinking spraying the carb cleaner in there might have knocked some crud loose and blocked the filter worse than it was before.

Will let you know what I find.

[tortoise]

My 2007 Italia was backfiring really bad, so I took off the two large rubber hoses from the front and back of the carb, sprayed in a little carb cleaner and then shut it back up. The only things I touched were the large black hoses at the front and back of the carb, and I was sure to reconnect them on nice and tight.

I'm going to dig in and see if I can get the fuel filter really clean. I'm thinking spraying the carb cleaner in there might have knocked some crud loose and blocked the filter worse than it was before.

At least make an effort to chronicle correct terminology!

[ericalm]

Blocked filter is possible, Have you checked the hoses for an air leak, too?

[iinigma7]

At least make an effort to chronicle correct terminology!

Sorry for not being clear. I was under the impression that there is a small wire basket-shaped filter inside the carb that can get gunked up and that's what I was referring to as the fuel filter. Shows how much I know about fixing engines.

Attempting "under the seat" fixes on my own is new territory for me so please bear with me as I try to figure it all out... my confidence level is incredibly low. I don't really know what I'm doing yet, but I am learning.

Eric, what's a good method for testing for an air leak? If I feel around the hoses while it's running is it normal to feel any moving air at all? I can feel a little bit blowing around the bottom of the back-side air hose where it connects to the carb. The hoses are definitely tight though.

[Dooglas]

So, have the checked the air filter yet?

[mikebuddy]

perhaps air cleaner or gas filter

the bigger problem is that in my opinion, 65 mph is not a safe speed to run on a buddy 150 cc engine. I never go over 50 mph, usually I keep it a little below that speed. Better to be safe than sorry.

[iinigma7]

No I haven't gotten to look at the air filter yet. My schedule is slammed so I probably can't work on it until probably wed. night at the earliest.

[iinigma7]

perhaps air cleaner or gas filter

the bigger problem is that in my opinion, 65 mph is not a safe speed to run on a buddy 150 cc engine. I never go over 50 mph, usually I keep it a little below that speed. Better to be safe than sorry.

Agreed, and I don't run it that fast on a regular basis. But I drive a lot on a road that's 45 mph and the cagers all drive 50+. So while I don't like driving faster than I have to, I also see the benefit of keeping up with the flow of traffic. At 35mph that's not possible or safe.

[ericalm]

Air and vacuum issues can be a real pain. I would just start by removing and re-installing the carb and making sure all connections and hoses are tight and secure. Double check the hoses and make sure that there aren't any cracks. You can try idling and feeling around for any leaks, but they might be hard to find that way (and it's hot down there!).

The problem occurred sometime between removing the carb and replacing it. Though other things could be responsible, it's best to sort of retrace your steps—and even duplicate them—before moving on to other possibilities.

Did you take the carb apart as well?

[ed85379]

the bigger problem is that in my opinion, 65 mph is not a safe speed to run on a buddy 150 cc engine. I never go over 50 mph, usually I keep it a little below that speed. Better to be safe than sorry.

I hope you're joking. I regularly get up to 60-65bmph during my commute to work (though that is only for 1-2 miles), and my BlackJack loves the speed. I took her out on the actual highway a few weeks back, for the first time, after I installed a windshield. I was cruising at 70bmph with still a bit of throttle left, for about 10 miles. She has never run better.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Better to have fun than drive like a fuddy-duddy

[iMoses]

the bigger problem is that in my opinion, 65 mph is not a safe speed to run on a buddy 150 cc engine. I never go over 50 mph, usually I keep it a little below that speed. Better to be safe than sorry.

I hope you're joking. I regularly get up to 60-65bmph during my commute to work (though that is only for 1-2 miles), and my BlackJack loves the speed. I took her out on the actual highway a few weeks back, for the first time, after I installed a windshield. I was cruising at 70bmph with still a bit of throttle left, for about 10 miles. She has never run better.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Better to have fun than drive like a fuddy-duddy

yep!
There is a 1.5 mile strip of road which is 55mph (on my way to and from work).
When I get the chance (depending on traffic) I WOT on my 125cc.

[Capt_Don]

I take my 170i and hit the interstate or an exit or two quite often, if the conditions and traffic are perfect. At 65 bmph I have a little oomph left, but not much.

[JHScoot]

the bigger problem is that in my opinion, 65 mph is not a safe speed to run on a buddy 150 cc engine. I never go over 50 mph, usually I keep it a little below that speed. Better to be safe than sorry.

I hope you're joking. I regularly get up to 60-65bmph during my commute to work (though that is only for 1-2 miles), and my BlackJack loves the speed. I took her out on the actual highway a few weeks back, for the first time, after I installed a windshield. I was cruising at 70bmph with still a bit of throttle left, for about 10 miles. She has never run better.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Better to have fun than drive like a fuddy-duddy

yep!
There is a 1.5 mile strip of road which is 55mph (on my way to and from work).
When I get the chance (depending on traffic) I WOT on my 125cc.

There is an 8 lane 40-45mph avenue just a half block from me with several well spaced traffic lights. Heading into traffic I just let the engine rip. So much fun. I am usually out front no matter what.


So far as the subject at hand....when a hose or part of the "vacuum system" is suspected....you know, airflow stuff? When that is suspected how prudent would it be simply to change every single hose and line on the scooter and see what happens? And would it be expensive to DIY? Also, how time consuming?

[michelle_7728]

the bigger problem is that in my opinion, 65 mph is not a safe speed to run on a buddy 150 cc engine. I never go over 50 mph, usually I keep it a little below that speed. Better to be safe than sorry.

I hope you're joking. I regularly get up to 60-65bmph during my commute to work (though that is only for 1-2 miles), and my BlackJack loves the speed. I took her out on the actual highway a few weeks back, for the first time, after I installed a windshield. I was cruising at 70bmph with still a bit of throttle left, for about 10 miles. She has never run better.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Better to have fun than drive like a fuddy-duddy

Seriously. I often go 60-62mph (70-72 indicated) on my 125 for several miles on the way to/from work. Obviously you have to use your own judgement regarding the road/highway you are doing this on, and the weather. I would never contemplate doing that on I-5 here in the Seattle area, but I often do it on 405 between Renton and Factoria where the road is fairly flat and traffic not going too fast.

[ericalm]

Folks have different tolerances for speed and different senses of what's safe. Doing short runs on a Buddy at 60-65mph won't hurt your engine if the scooter's well maintained and running well. As for whether it's "safe," well, I can't really say. Use your best judgement.

[Rippinyarn]

To the OP - are you treating the fuel on a regular basis with Sea Foam or another fuel system cleaner? It sounds like a dirty carb to me. Go grab some Sea Foam from the auto parts store and try a SMALL dose of that in your tank. Only an ounce for starters. Fill it up with fresh gas and run it around the neighborhood and see if it gets better. If that doesn't help, perhaps your dealer can help you with a carb cleaning - it's not a difficult job, but as others have said, it's easy to get one small thing wrong and then the scoot won't start. Good luck - keep us updated on your progress!