Scooter "ran out of gas" while tank full

[SFScootin]

Hey all - I just got a 2007 Kymco Agility 125, with 8000 miles on it.  When I got the bike it appeared to be low on fuel. After driving it about 20 miles I went to get a fill up, but it appeared the tank was already full. Hmm, I figured the gauge was broken, or float was stuck, and just decided I would roughly track my mileage until I had a chance to fix it. Next day, after about 10 more miles, it appeared the gauge had gone deeper in the red and while driving the bike puttered out like it had just run out of gas.  So now I'm thinking it is a fuel line or carburetor issue but really don't know where to start. I've never owned a scoot before, am not the most mechanically inclined individual, and am a bit wary to start tinkering if I don't know where to start. With that said, I'd like to get to know this bike and am interested in fixing the problem myself if its doable. 

Any ideas on what my problem could be? Someone suggested maybe the petcock is switched to reserve? Does that make sense? Any good guides or manuals on here with how to tinker with this or check for easy fixes?

Thanks for the help all.
Joe

[tortoise]

Any ideas on what my problem could be?

Venting issue?

[zombie]

Tru to start it. If it does NOT start loosen the Drain Screw at the bottom left of the Float bowl. Fuel should come out if it is indeed making it from the tank. There is no "reserve" or manual shut off on the bike. It has a vacuum operated shut off.

If there is no fuel in the bowl, pull the thin vacuum line of the intake manifold, and suck on it. Fuel should then flow if the line, and petcock are in good shape.

Next check for spark.

[BettinANDlosing]

How do you know it was full? Did the gas pump cut off or did you physically look inside the tank? The Kymcos have pretty darn trusty gas gauges for the most part. Venting issues are prevalent removing the emissions system and venting to open air will help a lot.

[SFScootin]

Thanks for the input all. So I've basically taken the bike completely apart over the last two weeks. It's not a fuel issue and it's not an air issue an I believe it's almost certainly an electrical/spark issue.  We've gotten it to run, and can rev it on the stand for 5 minutes straight at high rpm, but within 5 minutes of riding it the spark just disappears and it won't run or start until I let it sit for a couple hours or jump it. I've also tried putting the CDI in the freezer which does seem to improve the rebound time. At this point I've almost convinced myself that it's the CDI that is causing it to lose spark even if I don't know why or how (heating it up causes expansion is my best bet, a la the freezer experiment.) I'm about I order a new CDI and just want to put this out there for the group in case anyone else had a good idea of what it could be. Thanks again! This is a great forum.

[SFScootin]

Oh, and FYI, the connectors on the fuel float were somehow bent and disconnected so I just used some pliers to reestablish the connection and it works fine. Completely different issue.

[zombie]

Usually the Stator is the culprit with heat/cool cycle issues. Hopefully it will be just the CDI.

[SFScootin]

Thanks Zombie, just got the new part in the mail today so I'll post tonight or tomorrow with the results.  Also, is it odd that the replacement CDI is smaller than the original? I made sure its the DC version but its significantly smaller...

[zombie]

It is strange... Usually the AC cdi's are tiny compared to the DC. Are the part numbers the same? The connectors?

There is a difference between GY6, and Kymco where CDI's are concerned. Maybe that is your issue?

[SFScootin]

CDI worked fine. It is substantially smaller than the original part but has a thick rubberband around it so it sits tightly in the well.

Got it here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/KYMCO-DC-CDI-Ignition-Box-Agility-50cc-125cc-Kymco-Taiwan-Scooter-Parts-Rev-Box-/261264356198?ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:1120

And it must've been something in the CDI because the scoot is running fine. Did about 10 miles on it yesterday, up and down hills, over bumps, high and low speeds, and all is in working order. 

Thanks for the assistance all. I'll certainly be back to this forum in the future.

[zombie]

Awesome!

Stick around, and help me poke fun at the Maxi scoot guys. Some of them are so sensitive they actually cry. It's a Gas Bro!