1987 SE50 Quit Running... HELP!

[Roaster]

Alright, so a couple weeks ago I left my scooter out in the rain, I know dumbass move, and when I went to try and start it after the rain it wouldnÔÇÖt start so I had to take the air filter cover off and remove the air filter I got it running without the air filter and let it idle a bit without the air filter.

So once I got it running it was running poorly, and after about a week it wouldnÔÇÖt start via the push start it would only start if I used the kick start. And then a couple days after that I was riding home from work and heard a "clunk" and it slowed down even more so I turned onto a side street and when I came to a complete stop it died completely and I havenÔÇÖt been able to get it to start since then.

My guess is that some water or dirt got sucked in the intake. With that said I have no idea how to fix it.

I cleaned the carb and even took off the head to see if maybe a piston ring or whatever had broken, but it all seemed fine.

Any advice or help would be MUCH appreciated. This is the first major problem IÔÇÖve had with the scooter and am getting a bit frustrated with my lack of knowledge.

Thanks again,
Kyle Evans

[martynkim]

I suspect something in the drive variator loose clutch gone bad something under the kickcover. I would inspect that and see what it reveals.

[Roaster]

I suspect something in the drive variator loose clutch gone bad something under the kickcover. I would inspect that and see what it reveals.

I checked in the crankcase yesterday and everything seemed to be in working order. Would the clutch cause it to not start?

[martynkim]

I suspect something in the drive variator loose clutch gone bad something under the kickcover. I would inspect that and see what it reveals.

I checked in the crankcase yesterday and everything seemed to be in working order. Would the clutch cause it to not start?

I would not think so but, anything is possible. It could be broken and still engaged? Does the wheel spin freely?

[Roaster]

Yeah it spins like normal

[martynkim]

The driven face can be turned by hand? No damage under the cover.... Not sure, someone will chime in soon.

[Bear45-70]

Water get into the gas somehow? The fix is to drain, flush and refill, don't forget to do the same for the carb float bowl.


Being left out in the rain should not kill your scooter.

[Roaster]

How do i go about flushing?

[Bear45-70]

For the tank;

Drain the tank by disconnecting the fuel line from the carb and applying vacuum to the petcock and then pour a quart or so of fresh gas in with a overload of Seafoam or a fuel drier using isopropyl alcohol in it (no ethanol or methanol). Slosh it around a bit and drain it again. Now fill with fresh gas.

For the carb;

Once the fresh fuel is in the tank and the gas line reconnected to the carb, open the bowl drain almost all the way and drain the carb float bowl. Close drain and apply vacuum to the petcock, fill float bowl, drain float bowl again. Now apply vacuum to petcock and let fuel just flow thru the cab for 15 to 30 seconds. Close drain screw, apply vacuum to petcock and fill the float bowl. Reconnect vacuum line to manifold and start engine.

Use a catch can to collect the fuel in. I prefer a quart glass jar so you can see if any crap comes out, Be careful not to break the jar.

[Roaster]

Great thank you! Also do you guys think that it could possibly be something as simple as a VERY dirty air filter?

[Bear45-70]

With the way the intake system is tuned on these scooters, anything is possible.

[Roaster]

alright guys, i finally decided to just go all out and take the head and jug off. I found that there was a piston ring gone. ugh, any suggestions on repair? do i go BBK, or just replace the rings?

thanks again!

[martynkim]

I thought you said you had done that already.

[Roaster]

Well originally I only took the head off and inspected the jug with out removing it, the jug didnt seem to have any noticable scrathing or damage so i figured i was safe as far as rings. I finally jus tok the jug off to make sure and sure enough one of the rings was busted.

Thank you guys for all of your help and im sorry to have waisted your time.

[Bear45-70]

Well originally I only took the head off and inspected the jug with out removing it, the jug didnt seem to have any noticable scrathing or damage so i figured i was safe as far as rings. I finally jus tok the jug off to make sure and sure enough one of the rings was busted.

Thank you guys for all of your help and im sorry to have waisted your time.

Interestingly enough several of my race motors cam from the factory with single ring pistons and they all had high compression, made gobs of power and turn lots of RPM.