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Post by madcervantes on Jul 26, 2012 20:45:44 GMT -5
Hi guys. I'm a new rider and I just bought my first scooter a month ago. I have a 2012 Roketa MC1650 (yes I know chinese brands suck. Can't afford better right now). I've enjoyed it a lot but the inevitable has happened and I need some advice The problem began when my scooter got sprayed by a night sprinkler. It worked that night, and the next morning but both times I had to kick start it to work. Now, nothing. Not kickstart, electric start, nada. I figured it might be a wet spark plug issue so I opened her up to take a look. Everything seems pretty dry inside.... but I couldn't exactly find the spark plug. My model doesn't have a good manual (of course). I've checked a couple of videos online for other scooters but I'm not entirely sure if I'm finding it correctly. I think this might be the spark plug cover?  And this is where that cover came from. Is that the spark plug I see?  Also I already checked the battery, and it seems fine. Here's a link to all the pictures I took of it: imgur.com/a/rZGcwAlso I'm concerned that maybe I did some more permanent damage to the engine. When I first started having problems, the kick start would get this thing to work and when it didn't work anymore it made a sound that had some oomph to it like it was almost going to work. Now I can pump the kick starter and it doesn't even give a cough or rumble. Did I screw it up? Thanks for any help you can give. I really need to fix this soon, and there aren't really any mechanics around who are willing to work on scooters. |
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Post by gatekeeper on Jul 26, 2012 21:47:20 GMT -5
Yes, that is the spark plug you have pictured. You will need a 5/8 spark plug socket with a short extension and ratchet to take it out. Are you saying that the electric starter doesn't even spin the engine over? First off, do you get any indication of electric power when you turn on the key? Dash lights, horn, brake light, turn signals? If not, check your fuse. It will be on the smaller of the two red wires hooked to your battery. It might look good but check it with an OHM meter if you have one and know how to use it. Is the battery fully charged? Use a 2AMP or less charger. Are you getting spark? Pull the plug and put the boot (cap) back on it. Lay the metal portion of the sparrk plug on the metal valve cover and kick it over and see if it sparks. Fuel flow: if the starter spins the engine, take the fuel line off of where it connects at the carburetor, put the end in a container and hit the start button. See if fuel flows freely into the container while the engine is spinning. If all of the above is good, check your valve clearance. Over time they can tighten up and not open enough to let the fuel/air mixture into the cylinder. Here is a link to check and adjust your valves. They should be adjusted to .004 inches on the intake and .005 inches on the exhaust. You don't really need to take the fan cover off. Just make sure the holes on the camshaft sprocket line up like they do in the video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0K-ytyjOFg |
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Post by madcervantes on Jul 26, 2012 21:55:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the help. I'm not sure if it spins the motor or not. How does that sound? It just makes a buzzing choked sound and there is no significant vibrations (like before), I'm assuming thats a no?
When I turn the key the lights come on, though they are a little weak.
How can I check the battery? This doesn't have a meter, so do I have to actually charger it first?
I'm going to check the spark tomorrow. I don't have a set of wrenches but the included tool kit might work. Or maybe I should just pony up and buy a small set.
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Post by madcervantes on Jul 26, 2012 21:56:56 GMT -5
Also I found this hose thing? It wasn't connected to anything but it looks like it should be. One end is connected to something and the other end just hangs there  |
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Post by gatekeeper on Jul 26, 2012 22:58:47 GMT -5
Also I found this hose thing? It wasn't connected to anything but it looks like it should be. One end is connected to something and the other end just hangs there Don't worry about that hose. It is a fresh air intake for part of the emission control system. Not to worry, |
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Post by gatekeeper on Jul 26, 2012 23:12:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the help. I'm not sure if it spins the motor or not. How does that sound? It just makes a buzzing choked sound and there is no significant vibrations (like before), I'm assuming thats a no? When I turn the key the lights come on, though they are a little weak. How can I check the battery? This doesn't have a meter, so do I have to actually charger it first? I'm going to check the spark tomorrow. I don't have a set of wrenches but the included tool kit might work. Or maybe I should just pony up and buy a small set. Spins the motor, cranks over the engine like when you try to start a car engine before it fires off and runs. Sounds like your fuse is good. With what you describe so far I think you need to put your battery on a charger and give it a full charge. It sounds like it is low. Find a charger that will let you charge at a rate of no more that 2 amps. Any higher rate and you run the risk of frying your battery. Do that and I wouldn't be surprised if it starts for you. You can do a lot with the supplied tool kit but it will be easier to work on if you have a basic socket set in millimeters, some combination wrenches in millimeters, a #2 Phillips screw driver and a small and medium size flat blade screw driver. You can get all of that at places like Harbor Freight, Walmart and such for $25 dollars or so. A basic multi-meter for checking electrical is $10 or less. |
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Post by madcervantes on Jul 27, 2012 14:06:00 GMT -5
I checked the spark plug today. I think I did it right. I took out the spark plug, stuck it back in its little rubber cap with the spark end facing outward. I put the tip of that spark thing next to the metal engine case and pushed the electric starter. I still get the wheeze but no spark. The spark plug also has some soot around it, so maybe it's burned out? I'm going to take the battery to a store and get it checked out and also buy a spark plug anyway (can't hurt to have an extra after all.)
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Post by gatekeeper on Jul 27, 2012 15:07:23 GMT -5
It never hurts to have a spare plug or two laying around.
Get that battery charged and when you check for spark make sure the metal end of the spark plug is touching the metal case on the engine. It has to touch to complete the electrical circuit, otherwise it won't spark no matter what you do.
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Post by madcervantes on Jul 28, 2012 10:55:08 GMT -5
Awesome! Thanks so much. I went to the store and bought a battery and spark plug and installed them and now it starts right up no problem. I had them test the battery and it turned out that one of the cells had gone bad, probably from dry rot which isn't too surprising considering I had problems with a dry rot tire too. Apparently this bike had been in some bad storage at some point I think. (getting hit by water didn't help either)
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Post by gatekeeper on Jul 28, 2012 11:35:09 GMT -5
Good deal! Glad you're back up and running!!
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