Agility 125 Starting, Sputtering, Stalling

[MrKymco]

Hi Guys

First post here and I hope to learn all I can about my scooter, and how to diagnose and correct problems, step by step. My dealer is not available today,  so I thought asking about this little problem would be a good start for me on my way to understanding my scoot

2009 Agility 125, around 270 miles on the odo. Picked it up just around a month ago, got a great deal, and couldn't be happier with it. When it first starts up the RPM's are high, as is normal. But once they drop, the scooter sputters at idle.  Give it some throttle, more sputters and hesitation. Give it some more, more of the same. Wait a moment and throttle yet again, and its smooth sailing, smooth idle, and runs like a top in all RPM ranges. Starts again throughout the day, and while it may sputter a bit after initial start,  it smooths out  sooner then the first start of the day.

Lately however it has been stalling after initial start up. It starts fine, drops to lower idle and sputters like before, but when given throttle, it stalls immediately. Starts right back up, more throttle, stalls again. Start it back up, more throttle, no stalling, but hesitation and sputters like before,  and then smooth sailing as always.

The stalling happened on the first cold morning i remember starting it. And the second. When the weather is warmer, no stalling has occurred, but it still has the low idle / sputtering symptoms.

So before I call the dealer this Monday i am wondering if there is anything i can mention to him that will be helpful? Or anything i can do myself? I have read of Seafoam, but the scooter is brand new. It's a Cali scooter, so has all that emissions crap on it, and i wonder if that might be part of the problem? Or maybe it just needs a simple carb adjustment? I also thought it could be an auto choke prob?

Mostly I am concerned this could be bad for the scooter and harm it in someway, though. The rough running at start up, that is? Can it, or is it ok? The engine isn't all the way broken in yet, so i have my concerns.

Thanks for any replies, knowledge, and suggestions you can share.  

[oswaldters]

Yup - sounds familiar.

I have the agility 50 but same issue for the last 2 years.  

The key is 'cold mornings' and the lack of a useful 'auto bypass' otherwise know as a choke.

Bottom line - you have to let the scoot warm up for several minutes before you try to drive - longer when really cold.  

In the winter I just start the thing and go back inside for 5-10 minutes depending on the temps.

I looked into this problem and was told it's just a nature of the beast thing that you have to live with.

The low idle problem is simply a matter of adjusting the idle screw - check out the link the the agility service manual for a guide.

[Hoolander2]

I agree.  Even my Xciting 500 does this to a small degree.  I just let it warm up good.  Sometimes having to rev rev it a little when it's in that stage between not cold enough for auto choke to be on, but not quite warmed up either.  I increased my idle speed which helped a lot. 

Figure your scooter will go in for it's first check up soon and they can fiddle with the mix and idle then, if you haven't already. 

I"ve been using a fuel additive called StarTron which claims to eliminate ethanol related problems and am very happy with it.  Available at Walmart in marine section.  Need only a tiny bit. 

[Hoolander2]

And, no, it's not gonna hurt it. 

[oswaldters]

Just be patient and let it warm up - you don't need it stalling out at a key moment!

[MrKymco]

outstanding info everyone. glad its normal, as i don't mind having to wait a few minutes longer to let it get going well. it gives me time to get all the locks off, get whatever i am carrying tied down, pack my cover in its bag, check out the nuts / bolts / brakes / lights, and gear up. all that stuff takes a good five to ten minutes of constant activity, anyway.  i am a brand new rider, so i'm still adjusting to the pre ride routine

getting better at it, though  

this scooting business sure is fun and practical, i think i have the perfect small cc around town urban scooter. not the only perfect one out there, but one of them. its a nice little basic ride =]

and i live in the greater L.A. area, so the weather is never too cold. should help with the starts and what not. i'll ask the dealer at the first service what he suggests to improve matters a bit, if possible

thanks again, fellas. i'll be around reading posts and asking some stupid newb questions. but we all start somewhere!

[sidthesloth]

It's great to hear you are happy with your scoot, of course, there is no reason why you wouldn't be. Welcome to the forum, you will learm a lot. Enjoy your scoot.

[oswaldters]

While you are in there, have the dealer check the auto bypass just to be sure it is working.  However, like I said, it sounds like a typical agility issue - once the temperatures drop below 50 at night you'll start to see this. 

Nice that you don't have to worry about temps getting too low - it is a long warm up when it drops below 20 degrees!

[Agent Bob]

If you live in California with it's heavy duty emission requirements, your're probably tuned leaner than most.

[chimpymech]

I had the same problem, thought it was fuel but turned out to be a loose HT connection at the spark plug cap. To tighten the connection screw the cap onto the cable, i got 3 good turns and hey presto problem solved. Incidentally i'm going to change my spark plug and plug cap for NGK type as i've heard they are far better that Kymco original.