2007 People 250S

[RatBob]

So yesterday I purchased a 2007 People 250S from a dealer 2 1/2 hours away. cold started fine at the dealer, when we got it home and off the trailer the engine was flooded because we forgot to drain the carb, but after sitting for a half hour it fired right up.

This morning, with the shop temp about 40F and 9F outside, it fired right up, took it for a brief spin, got it home and when I pulled in the drive it started idling rough and ultimately sputtered and died, and then wouldn't start again, it would fire off and then nothing, let it sit in the shop for a half hour, started right up, let it sit for awhile, now it doesn;t start again, fires when you first hit the start button and then nothing but a sputter and once a good backfire.

Any ideas where to start? Haven't pulled any plastic yet, and I'm debating on whether to just haul it 20 miles to the Kymco shop in Ames, but it might be something as silly as a loose hose or something from the trip?

[ScooterLar]

I had a similar problem when I purchased my used People 250 a few years ago. It turned out to be a bad fuel pump. We found the problem by removing the carb access cover on the bottom of the seat bucket, and checking to see if fuel was pumping through the clear fuel filter  when we hit the starter button. Since there was little to no fuel pumping when we were hit the starter button, that pretty much confirmed that it was a bad fuel pump. Every now and then she would start, but would die again after a minute or so of idling or trying to rev up the throttle. Not saying that is your problem, but it's worth checking to see if fuel is being pumped when you hit the starter button.

[TLRam1]

Maybe just a good clean on the carb, tank, etc.

[RatBob]

Well, all things considered I'd say things are good and clogged, or the fuel pump's out. It ran fine at the dealer, ran fine that night, ran fine in the morning and drove great, then blah. I'm not familiar enough with the engine to know if a timing chain can jump, but it could be a timing issue of some sort I suppose too. I pulled the tup, didn't see anything obvious, nothing disconnected etc.

But I currently have 2 scooters in pieces I need done by spring and basically no room with this beast opened on so we loaded her back on the trailer and took it over to the Kymco dealer in Ames, we'll have them get it running, and then go over everything, check out the engine etc in general, address any issues and then get it ready for winter storage.

[Mr. Paul]

My first inclination like others is it is a fuel problem. Maybe as simple as water in the fuel.

[TLRam1]

Do report back what is found.

[RatBob]

Essentially a carburetor full of gunk and a stuck float was the cause of the no start, they also replaced the air filter at my request, changed the oil and did a full inspection. Did a 10 mile test ride from the dealer to a friend's house, put it on the trailer from there to bring home, at which point it started right up and I took it for a quick ride to a nearby state park and back. Weather should be good for a couple more rides this week and then probably to bed for the rest of the winter.

[TLRam1]

Thanks for the report back, putting it up for the winter, where do you live?

[Iahawk]

yes, thanks for the follow up...always helpful to hear what actually caused the problem. Fresh fuel and lots of fuel stabilizer are your friends when you have a carb!

[RatBob]

Thanks for the report back, putting it up for the winter, where do you live?

Right in the middle of Iowa pretty much

[Packrat1]

I too had a gas problem with my 2006 People 250 due to former owner leaving old gas with no stabilizer in it. What I have done since is buy ethanol free premium and also use the stabil during the winter. I see you are near Ames Iowa where there are several stations that sell ethanol free premium. Just go to pure-gas.org and you can find their locations. I would have to say mine runs better doing this. Just a thought anyway.

[RatBob]

Two stations in Boone sell 91 pure, if I get caught away from 91, I run 87 pure with no problems, maybe a negligible hint of performance loss. I have a couple 1.5L fuel bottles on order I'm going to carry with me on longer trips, I've actually considered mounting an aux. fuel tank under the seat to boost the range.