People 50 No Start Issue (Could it be the Auto Bystarter)

[vdubn]

Ok, so I am trying to help out a neighbor, her People 50 hasn't wanted to start.  The carb was full of a bunch of varnished fuel, so I cleaned it out thoroughly.  I checked the fuel pump, and it works perfectly, pumps a ton of fuel.  Connected it all back up, and the bowl is nice and full.  Scooter fires right up if you spray carb cleaner in the intake, or in the back of the carb.

Basically it all seems to work perfectly, but its getting no fuel.  I am wondering if the Auto Bystarter could be bad.  Does the Auto Bystarter prevent or allow fuel depending on the temperature?  I don't know how to bypass it to see if that is what is preventing fuel from getting to the intake.  When I turn the key on or crank it over, with the auto bystarter out, it doesn't do anything.

Any help on figuring out the purpose of the Auto Bystarter would be greatly appreciated.

[kanbisk]

Have checked fuel filter?

LATERS

[vdubn]

Yea, I have good fuel flow to the carburetor, I checked each line for flow, and the carb bowl is full of fuel. No problems getting fuel to the carb, but no fuel is getting into the intake.  If I spray carb cleaner into the carb, it will stay running.  So, that means the reeds are fine, so it has to be something in the carb preventing fuel from going into the intake.  My thought is that the only elctronic part on the carb, the Auto Bystarter, could be preventing fuel from getting into the intake.

Anyone know what the Auto Bystarters purpose is?  Does it open initially, allowing fuel for startup, then closes after the engine is warm, or ??

[kanbisk]

Auto Bystarter is like a autochoke, gives more fuel to carb when its cold and cuts out when engine is warm up.
 search on youtube under scooter autochoke or

LATERS

[jcherry]

I have a similar problem.  First, the scoot sat for 2-3yrs and run very little. Only 300 miles on it in 4 yrs.  One day it quit out of the blue.  Five min. later it started and ran home.  This happened a couple more times.  Then would only idle.  Then wouldn't start.   Took it to the shop and as expected the carb was dirty - usual story, varnish, and probably some dirt... what ever. 

I went to pick it up and they test ran it before releasing it and it quit.  Re-cleaned the carb.  Got it home and the first run out the door a week later (around the block just in case) it soon dropped to idle only.   Then wouldn't start.   My thought was possibly the bystarter, but that is a long shot I think.   It seems to me if the bystarter is the problem, and it won't start right after it quits, could it be just flooded?  Can this thing be flooded?   

I'm taking the scoot back into the shop and if nothing solid found, have them replace the carb.      My guess is varnish is still in the lines or somewhere,  but did anybody find anything else that could be the issue.
 

[wordslinger]

The carb was full of a bunch of varnished fuel, so I cleaned it out thoroughly.  I checked the fuel pump, and it works perfectly

..well, i have two ppl 50s, and neither has a fuel pump...

..when you say you cleaned the carb thoroughly, did you happen to remove the jets and either "rod" them out, or blow thru them with compressed air?..

..it takes only a tiny spec to block fuel delivery...


peace

[Peters]

The carb was full of a bunch of varnished fuel, so I cleaned it out thoroughly.

Any

Did you drain(or even better flush) the entire fuel system? Depending on how old the gas was, there could be gum in the tank, lines, and filter as well. You can clean the carb 100 times and you'll just pull more crap in from the tank every time. You may need to flush the tank and lines and replace that fuel filter. Worse you might have to remove the tank and(attempt to) clean it or replace it all together. Bad(old) gas can destroy an entire fuel system given enough time. It will corrode anything metal(tanks and carb bowls) and you'll never get all the rust out.

... One more thing. Try adding a little Seafoam to the fresh gas. People swear by that stuff. Add an oz or two to a full tank. You can find it at local auto parts stores or walmart.