Advice on Storing a Super 8 150cc

[MassScoot]

Hi All: I purchased a Kymco Super 8 150cc to leave @ my parents home in Stuart, Florida. It was delivered today & I'm heading down on November 6th for 8 days. Quick question...If I use Seafoam stabilizer & Star Tron ethanol fuel treatment, will I need to drain the carb? I'll have my father start-up the Super 8 every two weeks & let him run it for 15 minutes or so. I come down every 3 months like clockwork.

I did own a People S200 (163cc) which is really the same engine & would pack-it up in the Winter (6 months) & store in the shed (still using the Seafoam Star Tron) & it would start-up every Spring without an issue. Never had a carb issue w/ the People S200.

Any & all insight would be appreciated.

[Scooter-IT]

Put the stabil in the fuel at the gas station before your final ride home to store it. This will get the stabil in the carb. Store with a full tank off fuel to avoid build up off condensation inside the tank.

Change oil and filter!

Remove the spark plug and put some ?? Oil in de cylinder, crank it a couple off times to spread the oil. Put the spark plug back inn.

Connect the battery to a drip charger.

Dont start the engine periodical unless you are going to ride it!!!!! Otherwise sulfur will  build up in de oil 😬

Cover the scoot with a blanket or bed sheet. Don't use plastic as it will trap condensation...

[MassScoot]

Scooter-IT: Good stuff. Thanks for the reply. I thought running the engine would help it (I guess not) Do I really never to cover the Super 8 150 if it's in a garage in Florida?

[fshfindr]

Yep, that's good advise.  It always worked with my boat.

[Scooter-IT]

Covering to keep the dust off. And avoid scratches from "stuff" being stored up and against it....

[old geezer]

Hi All: I purchased a Kymco Super 8 150cc to leave @ my parents home in Stuart, Florida. It was delivered today & I'm heading down on November 6th for 8 days. Quick question...If I use Seafoam stabilizer & Star Tron ethanol fuel treatment, will I need to drain the carb? I'll have my father start-up the Super 8 every two weeks & let him run it for 15 minutes or so. I come down every 3 months like clockwork.

I did own a People S200 (163cc) which is really the same engine & would pack-it up in the Winter (6 months) & store in the shed (still using the Seafoam Star Tron) & it would start-up every Spring without an issue. Never had a carb issue w/ the People S200.

Any & all insight would be appreciated.

This would work really well over a few months period.

You do not have to worry about the oil and starting it up every little bit. When you don't let the engine warm up the condensation does not get burned off. But for the short periods you plan to do it and if you change the oil regularly there shouldn't be a problem with acid build up.

Oil has additives to keep acid formation down...

Mineral oils react with oxygen of air forming organic acids. The oxidation reaction products cause increase of the oil viscosity, formation of sludge and varnish, corrosion of metallic parts and foaming.
 Anti-oxidants inhibit the oxidation process of oils.
 Most of lubricants contain anti-oxidants.

The following materials are used as anti-oxidants:

 â– 
 Zinc dithiophosphate (ZDP);
 
â– 
 Alkyl sulfides;
 
â– 
 Aromatic sulfides;
 
â– 
 Aromatic amines;
 
â– 
 Hindered phenols.
 

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Detergents
 
Detergents neutralize strong acids present in the lubricant (for example sulfuric and nitric acid produced in internal combustion engines as a result of combustion process) and remove the neutralization products from the metal surface. Detergents also form a film on the part surface preventing high temperature deposition of sludge and varnish.
 Detergents are commonly added to Engine oils.

 Phenolates, sulphonates and phosphonates of alkaline and alkaline-earth elements, such as calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) or Ba (barium), are used as detergents in lubricants.

If you get worried you can have oil analysis done on the TAN (total acid number) That will tell you if the additives are getting thinned out and the acid is getting high.

I have used Blackstone labs before.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

But I think you will be fine. After all in Florida the climate does not get out of hand.

[MassScoot]

OG: Many thanks. That was one hell of a reply! I guess I'll use my fuel stabilizer (Seafoam or Stabil) & of course my trusty Star Tron Ethanol fuel treatment.