Sound Familiar?

[monkeybongos]

Fuel injected scoot started and ran flawlessly for 5000 miles. 
Then a hesitation developed when starting, like it was clearing its throat.
Also stalled at stop lights about 6 times over the past 2000 miles.
Otherwise it ran terrific, w smooth acceleration through all speeds.  So I didn't bother having it looked at.

Rode 50 miles the other day, next day it wouldn't start. 
Odometer at 7000 miles now.
Clogged fuel injection?  Valves out of adjustment?  Any thoughts??

I did run out of gas once, but it was 3 or 4 K miles ago.
Also was in the habit of running the gas tank all the way down before filling up,
until reading a post by someone on this forum that it was bad for the FI  pump.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Assuming Lance has a good fuel filter - so, unless you're buying your gas from guys selling it in different colored pop bottles on a dirt road....doubt it is a clogged injector.

Hard starting, stalling at stop lights, only 5>7K miles - not thinking it needs a valve adjustment already , but maybe, those are symptoms, so wouldn't hurt. Is it hard to do on your scoot?

Don't know Lance's....but they're good scoots.
Spark plug look OK, cap tight on it? What the heck - for $6 pop a new one in. Or go $7 and use an Iridium one.
Battery leads tight?


Stig

[CROSSBOLT]

Have you opened the gas cap when it malfunctions this way?

[monkeybongos]

Stig--Don't believe valve adjustment is difficult, but it something I've never done.
Going to check it, anyway.  Think battery connections are secure.  Tried a new spark plug, that wasn't the cause.

Crossbolt--Have not tried starting it after opening the gas tank.  What would be wrong that that might cure?

[Stig / Major Tom]

You're still under warranty, yes?
Might let the dealer sort this....
 See what venting the tank does (loosening cap)....then the dealer?
Stig

[CROSSBOLT]

The tank is vented through a vacuum operated valve that sticks shut. Opening the cap will make the symptom go away. Another thing that will cause hard starting is a failing battery. Anything less than 10.5 volts on this model will not start. It will crank over nicely but not fire. Dealers who rob parts will replace a robbed battery with a really cheap white label battery that has a very short life.

[monkeybongos]

In case anyone experiences similar symptoms, before take bike apart to check valves,
test the battery.  Turns out mine was weak.  After a charge at the auto parts store, scoot fired right up.

Don't know if a 1.5 yr old battery at 7000 miles needing a charge is symptomatic of another problem or a normal occurrence, guess time will tell.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Thanks for the feedback!
Yep, in my experience EFI likes a healthy battery, and clean/tight battery and ground connections.
Stig