It died on me. :-(

[OneEyedJack]

Coming home today after a 35 km ride the bike gave up. I thought I felt something let go in the engine, it seemed to lose a lot of power really quickly then carried on for a 1/4 of a km with the engine running not too well then it died. Later on whilst walking it home I restarted it, it started and went very slowly then died again. Now it wont start and the starter tries to start it but then it gives out a loudish click and doesnt start. It just felt like something let go in the engine when it happend.
I know it really difficult from my description but I am wondering what to do as I am no mechanic and the costs for mechanics time in England are ridiculous when compared to the cost of the bike. The bike has covered 7000 km, it has had regular oil gear and engine changed. It hasnt as yet had the valve clearances checked. I have been running it on super unleaded for a few weeks?     

[oswaldters]

I'd start with the valve clearance first.

Those do get out of whack and might be a problems.  And it is fairly easy to check.

Check out the service manual for instructions on how to do this if you're not sure.  There should be a link posted to the service manual in the general section.  Try a search on the site.

good luck

[MaryK]

The clicking sound that you hear when you try to start the engine probably means the battery needs charging.
Use a 1 amp charger because a high current charger will overheat the battery.  At 1 amp, it will take 8 to 12 hrs to charge the battery completely.

The battery was discharged by your attempts to start the engine. 
There are other reasons for the engine dieing, but a well charged battery is necessary to getting it running again.

You need to check for the 3 elements to combustion: Spark, Fuel & Air.

I hope that someone in the forum lives near you to help.

Scoot Safely

[sparko]

Taking a shot in the dark here. The bike is losing power, dies and restarts but runs weakly then dies. If the alternator died, the bike would run on battery until the battery discharges. The bike then restarts after the battery gets a little charge back but dies again. The click is the starter not getting enough charge from the battery to start. The solenoid kicks in but the starter needs a huge amount of amperage to turn the engine over. To complicate things, the bike generally runs on the alternator( spark plugs, etc) with the lights running on the battery in general. If the alternator isn't working then the battery discharges quickly. If you charge the battery you may get the bike to start but it won't run for long because of no alternator. Sounds like your battery may be weak as well but then again scooter batteries are very small and need an alternator to keep them charged up. Take the bike to a mechanic and ask them to check the alternator. It may only cost a few bucks. Better check those valves too. I think they may be due for adjustment. Takes about 30 minutes.

[axy]

I'd start with the valve clearance first.

Valve clearance is about the last possible cause of a scoot suddenly dying on the road.

[axy]

Coming home today after a 35 km ride the bike gave up. I thought I felt something let go in the engine, it seemed to lose a lot of power really quickly then carried on for a 1/4 of a km with the engine running not too well then it died. Later on whilst walking it home I restarted it, it started and went very slowly then died again. Now it wont start and the starter tries to start it but then it gives out a loudish click and doesnt start. It just felt like something let go in the engine when it happend.
I know it really difficult from my description but I am wondering what to do as I am no mechanic and the costs for mechanics time in England are ridiculous when compared to the cost of the bike. The bike has covered 7000 km, it has had regular oil gear and engine changed. It hasnt as yet had the valve clearances checked. I have been running it on super unleaded for a few weeks?     

1. Tear the plastics under the seat and rear Tupperware apart.

2. Fuel: check is there fuel in the tank, check the lines (are they intact), check the vacuum gas pump (there is description how to do it in the manual). Check is the fuel filter clogged (had this issue two months ago). Check is the gas tank cap functional (try to start the engine when it is removed). We will assume the carb is OK because you did not experience problems before with it.

Electricity: Fully recharge the battery and when you try to start the scoot, crank it by foot, do not use electric starter. Inspect and/or replace the spark plug, the gap has to be 0.7-0.8 and electrodes have to be clean and shiny. Check all electric wires - are they properly connected? Check spark plug cap and cable for cracks. Check the ignition key assembly and micro switches used to actuate circuitry during start. Check both fuses in the floor board next to the battery. Remove CDI off the jack, spray the contacts with WD40 and connect it back (this was another cause of my gf's A125 refusing to start a month ago). Check the coil (again, manual shows how to do it).

99 % it is something described in a) or b).
If not, it could be burnt/seized valve, but it is very unlikely.

Let us know how it goes.

[OneEyedJack]

Thanks for all the help I really appreaciate it! At the weekend im going to have a look and post back here.

Thanks and regards.

[MaryK]

You can remove the battery and take it to an autoparts store for them to test it for free.

Scoot Safely,

[OneEyedJack]

Luckily enough my mate is a car mechanic and he is going to have a look at it. I should add that two months ago one litre of diesel was put in it by mistake by me when in a rush but I added proper unleaded to the top and it ran ok and has has 7 fill ups since then. I did also put in some redex injector cleaner last run.

I will report back freinds.

[axy]

Luckily enough my mate is a car mechanic and he is going to have a look at it. I should add that two months ago one litre of diesel was put in it by mistake by me when in a rush but I added proper unleaded to the top and it ran ok and has has 7 fill ups since then. I did also put in some redex injector cleaner last run.

I will report back freinds.

Why did you put injector cleaner in engine of a vehicle that does not have injectors?

Btw. this is a piece of information we did not have initially - I would also disassemble gas tank and wash it thoroughly...

[Hoolander2]

The diesel fuel floated on top of the regular gas you kept putting in until this last ride you went on when it finally got low enough to get into the carb and engine.  Syphon it out -- drain hoses -- drain carb -- refill. 

[OneEyedJack]

The engines gone. Mechanic tested everything then stripped back to the engine looked at the piston and said the big ends gone. The oil changes have been done regularly and the bikes only done 6800km. I bought the bike to save money now its going to cost me money. Not sure the cheapest way out of this. 

[axy]

This is very, very strange.
What exactly is broken?
Could you post some pics?

[OneEyedJack]

We tested all the electrics fuel etc the the starter motor seemed jammed so we to it off and tested it on its own and it was ok. Then my freind stripped it so the piston was exposed and it wiggled and was loose and we stopped there as he said the big ends gone. I dont have pictures as we didnt strip it down any further.

Im not sure whether to get the bits or a new engine or just sell it for spares.

Its an 09 but the warranty wont hold as I did all the oil changes etc because the garages charge so much money.

[oswaldters]

Its an 09 but the warranty wont hold as I did all the oil changes etc because the garages charge so much money.

I wouldn't give up on the warranty so easily.  They can't deny the warranty just because you did your own oil changes. 

Besides, you don't really even know what went wrong yet.  If whatever broke can't be blamed on the engine oil, then they would have no reason to deny your coverage.

I'd fight long and hard for the warranty coverage - if nothing else you should be able to work out a deal where they at least cover part of the costs.

Dont' give up!