My 500-i dosnt like to start unless i have a FULL tank

[24auhr]

this problem has been plauging me for a long time now and i get the most success when the tank is Totally full
i have a jerry can that holds 5 liters of petrol so when it wont start i fill it up to full and then every time , , it starts first or second time i crank it over

i used to think it was a battery problem due to my cranking it over and over till eventually i`d run the battery too flat to turn it over
another thought i had was mabey the bike wasnt getting fuel or spark

what do you think would be happening if it takes a full tank to start ??   (when the tank is full all the way up to the filler cap )

[Porkie]

That doesn't make sense at all as the screen and fuel injector pump are in the tank and the pickup is on the very lowest point.

In my extremely humble opinion, I think you need to try some injection cleaner like Chevron Techron, Seafoam, Lucas or the like and go for a long ride on a full tank. This stuff cleans the fuel screen, pickup, injector pump and the throttle body.

Don't be a 'drive by poster' and be sure to let us know what you found out.

Sam:)

[boo]

check for vapor lock and or fuel filter.

[zombie]

I was also thinking vapor lock, and simply opening the cap, and venting the system is what allows it to start.

Do the fuel conditioner for sure anyway. That never hurts.
 I've read a bit about Maxi's having fuel venting problems in the cap or the gasket/seal.

I THINK a few wrote about cutting the seal in a specific point to fix it.

Just another thought... Is there a charcoal canister in the fuel vent line? Or some sort of "filter?

[24auhr]

Hi , thanks for the replies

I put some injector cleaner in this morning ,though i wont have a chance to go for a ride till later

Funny you should mention vapour lock , i do feel that washer is a little large

im not sure about the filter yet , i havnt taken the bike apart to look but the service manual says yes its near the pump
that will be my next point of attack if the filler cap mod and a long ride dont get things running right


time will tell .
i will make sure to keep this updated but it may take a couple of days to do .

[zombie]

I would look into that filter deal... Maybe even something like a Mud Wasp.

[24auhr]

Ok , last night i filler her up and she started right away , even though it was cold (only 15 celsius btw not like you guys with minus degrees)

this morning after such a cold night (and full tank) she wont start , im charging the battery now , with the feul cap open but shielded

iv been thinking of getting a li-on battery for her , do those batteries still need to use a battery charger/manager ?

also can i replace the feul filter with any aftermarket one or should i use a kymco one ?

[zombie]

after-market filters are fine. Don't know about the battery deal.

[de dee]

 L batterys will need the charger to balance the cells. after it is fully charged, so you are looking at $ 100.00 for the charger alone

[bongoman]

I just installed a lition battery in my '09 XC500. A little more expensive, however, warranty is for 5 years instead of 1. Or 6 months. Manual says as long as it's charged once a month, no need to keep a battery tender plugged in during winter months.

One quirk about it is cold weather starting. Instructions say 1st startup in morning, even normal warm one, turn on for 30 seconds before engaging starter to wake the battery up.

On cold morning, turn on for up to 5 minutes, depending on how cold, to warm the battery before engaging starter.

On a recent s'camping (scooter camping) trip, I neglected to allow it to warm up and scooter almost failed to start. Morning was around 44 degrees at Mission Tejas park in East Texas. Lots of tall pine trees in the Davey Crockett National Forest.

I haven't had the batter installed long enough to give a thorough opinion. Yet. I just put nearly 900 miles on the scooter over a 4 day period. It was loaded with tent, food, stove, bedroll and clothes.

[24auhr]

""s'camping ?    WOW !! that sounds like a good time !

ok i ordered a li-on battery and there was some confusion with the address it was being sent too , so that took a little while longer than it should have to be delivered,
then , when i got it , it was only holding a small charge so then i had to put on charge
now have a fully charged li-on battery and i am still having a hard time starting my scooter

my technique was to hit the starter button fo aprox 4 seconds , leave it for 4-5-6 seconds and try again
still not getting a very good responce .   the scoot sounds like it cranks for a bit then backfires - (sorry if thats wrong but thats how it sounds to me)

iv been getting the best results from leaving the filler cap open for a minute or two before cranking it over ( only 2-3 seconds max)

mayby youv guessed ,,, im a little adverse to taking the fairing off , but thats got to be my next point of attack -sigh-

so now here in australia we are heading into winter im gratefull i still have a car to get to work in