No! No! No! No! Taotao Already Going 'Put'??
 

I've been having issues with my scooter the last couple days. I finally found out what was draining the battery and fixed it, and drove it around for the day.

While driving, I noticed it would no longer make it up the hill, and that when I released the throttle, it lost power too quickly, and I would need to twerk the throttle while waiting at lights to keep it from dying.

About half-way through the day, I saw I was down to half a tank. I thought this was sudden, and kept riding, later on to see I was almost on 'E', then on 'E'.

I got some more gas and went home to bed, only to wake up last night and try to start it. The tank still had a full tank of gas, but wouldn't start, only turning over and not catching.

Then I smelled gas. When I looked down, I saw gas streaming from the chain drive or belt drive. It was pouring out the side bottom of it.

What have I done?? Was my unknown failure to check the valves responsible for busting the fuselage? Is there anything I can do, or is my new scooter literally falling apart before my eyes!! It ran so well for a day, I hate to think I'd lose all that money on a lemon, and I need this scooter, it isn't just for fun! Does anyone have any thoughts on what I need to check, or what I need to do to get it running again?


:ugh:


Thanks!

On the bottom of the carb there is a drain hose there is a screw that goes in or out to drain the carb bowl. If its loose it will leak gas. That would explain it. It might only be slightly open. Allowing only a small amount to excape so it was still driving. But sputtering when it got low.

Here is a picture of what I am talking about. http://www.scootusa.com/150_connections.htm

If the float in the bottom of the Carb. is stuck open, it will allow gas to enter the carb. Having no way to get in the engine, it will run out the airbox.

Thank you for the exceptional diagram Rhompin! I'll look when I get home, and see what I can tell.

Techie, I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean. By float, do you mean the bobble that measures how full your tank is? How can that be stuck open, and how do I check? I'm sorry, I probably sound ignorant, but I haven't really worked on bikes before.

OH! I just thought of a couple things I did, and wonder if either of them could've affected the gas line? When I recharged the battery, at first it wouldn't start. I opened the seat, and took off a cover to a cylindrical device below it, and a spring popped out. I retrieved the spring, and ensured there was no dust on it and put it back in. After that, the bike started. (?)

The second thing is that after that, I decided to check the oil, and began looking for the dipstick. On a line that runs to the chain/belt drive, there is a little cap that looks like a dipstick. It looks somewhat like an air valve cover, except it seems to clamp on, rather than screw. There is a tension wire clamp around the base where it fastens into the rubber that holds it on more securely. I was trying to figure out how to get that off to check the oil, but now I can see it must be the fuel line. It didn't seem like I even budged or affected it, but could either of those two tamperings be related to the newest issue I'm having?

I appreciate the feedback, thank you!

-Luked

I think the second thing you are talking about is a vaccum line but the first thing I'm not sure. The top of the carb has a spring in it I'm not sure of the name of that though. What techie was talking about the float is inside the carb. It works like a swamp cooler. Basically it's a shut off for the fuel to the inside of the carb. Ill try to find another diagram. Nothing against Chinese scoots but by owning one you will be forced to learn about small motors if you don't plan on taking it some where. When I first got mine I didn't know much at all but I had a friend help me out. I got the basics down but there is always more to learn. Just don't get discouraged with it. It can be kinda fun. Although I realise it can be fustrating expesialy if its your main transportation.

Keep in mind it will be a little different but the same basic idea http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoaZ5nLg3ZM

Thank you Rhompin! I do think it was the carb with the spring, it was in the engine under the seat, and a light weight spring popped out of the center of the cylinder, but was re-secured when I screwed the cover for it back in. If the float is in the carb, maybe I did screw it up? Doesn't seem like the vac line should do that, and it didn't seem to get disturbed. I understand I'll need to learn about small engines, but I"m afraid I'm too newb, and will take it apart, but won't know how to put it back together. I really need to find someone in Denver to work on it with. I'm afraid I also don't have the electric tools you're supposed to use to tighten the bolts and stuff.

I'm going to locate the bolt underneath, and try to tighten, then take the carb out, and put it back in, make sure the vac line isn't disturbed, and try starting it on empty.

I can understand how it might've been mis-spraying, but don't know why the entire tank would leak out through the chain drive after I turned it off if something wasn't stuck open.. *Ugh*, I guess I may as well break it some more on my way to fixing it-

Cheers! :cheers:

Hi
Ive found this manual to be of invaluable help for 4stroke scoots
http://www.chinesescooterreference.c...hop_manual.pdf
Hope this helps
Take care and drive safely
Yours Hank

Also YouTube my friend helps a lot. Just type in gy6 oil change or gy6 carb clean. There are hundreds of videos on these things. the 50cc and 150cc are very simalar. Also most of the tools for these are just basic hand tools. Outside of that get a feeler gauge from an auto store just ask they will know what it is you need that to check the valves. They are under 10$

Thanks for the manual! I've needed something like that, mine did not come with one.

I will purchase a feeler, there's a store right next to me. I appreciate the advice about youtube. Sometimes it's harder than it looks on the video though.. I'll just have to practice.

I went to tighten that bolt, and check the float today, but was unable to find the right parts of the scooter to do so. I think for the carb, I didn't take enough of it apart, but when I tried to, I kept losing parts, and bent the pin that goes down into the carb trying to figure out how to reassemble it when it all popped apart. I'm telling you, that part of my brain doesn't work yet!

I did notice a loose screw on a clamp which fastened it to the (motor?) directly above my chain drive. I'm not sure what it is, but it's a piece of accordion (flexible) shaped rubber tubing. I tightened it, and the cycle started again, but I'm not sure if that was what was leaking.

Here is a picture. I circled the tube. The silver band is the clamp I tightened. It actually runs into the box on top, not the one the kickstand comes out of. Did that fix it? I know I'll still have to feel out the valves. Afraid to ride too much till I get that done! Did bending the pin jeopardize my bike in any way?

Here's the pic:

No that thing is for air circulation to the cvt my cracked in half and I just took that plastic/ rubber hose off. The easiest way to get to the carb is pull all of the plastics off there are only like 6 bolts and the whole seat and plastic bucket the seat is attached to with a hinge come off the rest just snapps in and out on the floor board

Sounds like to had the top off the carb off which has the needle a diaphragm . The floats and jets are on the bottom inside of the bowl .

The CVT should have an air inlet tubing to allow air to cool the belt as heat will damage and shorten its life .

Scooters have an automatic pecock and if it is stuck open it can flood out the carb and it should drain out of the overflow tube . Motorcycles have a manual valve pecock that is turned to the off position while parked to prevent flooding . The other cool thing about a manual valve is reserve as it can be your best friend if you run low on gas while riding .Many motorcycles lack having a fuel gauge for some silly reason

Oh boy.
The pin you're talking about is the needle of your diaphgram. If the needle is placed incorrectly, you may either have not enough gas going to your engine for it to run, or too much gas going to the engine.
That needle is delicate, REALLY delicate. Make sure the thing is placed back correctly. The thing above the carb is the diaphgram itself.

EDIT: Skuttadawg replied just as I was writing mine...

Does any one know if that needle is fixed or adjustable?

Whatcha mean?
You can bend it back in place. It's really hard to line it up just right though.
Either have some good teeth, or needle nose pliers. It happened to me twice today.
Or by adjustable, do you mean moving the washer?

Ya lol some carbs you can adjust the washer up or down to adjust fuel.its mostly on like dirtbikes though. I have never opened my scooter one up before.

Thank you everyone, I've got the feeler. There were several sets of different sizes, I got the smallest, and hope it's the right size!

The valve is beneath the top? I keep delaying the next steps as I worry I'll screw something up I don't know how to fix, but it's not exactly running now.. That needle popping out was just one example.. Yes, I did get the needle put back in Rhomp, but it's really soft, and while I straightened it, I just straightned it with my fingers, and I think it's still slightly wavy.. (?)

That's good to know that a scooter has an automatic valve peacock and motorcycles have a manual one. That's the one I'm looking for that might be stuck open, right? Does 'valve peacock' mean it's in with the valves? Are the valves under the carb?? Since I've had speed throttle issues too, maybe that's all related, and simply cleaning up the area and adjusting the valves will resolve both issues.................... :-)

Rhomp, when you say 'inside the bowl, is that the part immediately under the spring pin, plastic part, and rubber ring? Do I have to take the whole thing out?

I'll get back to work tomorrow seeing what I can figure out, and fixing the parts I can first. I'll re-post after my efforts, things just don't look the same in person. With pins flying, springs popping, and more bolts when I put everything back together then there was when I started, I'm seriously thinking about recording, and posting for your entertainment-

Thank you for all the support!

Ok where to start... The valve petcock just means it has a valve ( a turntable knob) to shut the fuel off and on. The valves are the very front of the motor you have to pull the head valve cover off which is 4 or 6 bolts depending on which style you have. Ill look for a video for you. When I refer to bowl on the carb it's on the bottom of the carb. The carb has to be removed for this. The whole unit that the spring and needle that you took out is the carb. Usually it can be removed with just a screw driver to remove the clamps on both sides and pull the vaccum lines off. Ill look for a video on this also.

Here is a valve adjust video. Check out this video on YouTube:<br/><br/>http://youtu.be/5vl1mrTVCQ0 Here is one for carb removel it's not a great video but gives you an idea. Check out this video on YouTube:<br/><br/>http://youtu.be/ejIXxf32Aag Maybe try a google search of gy6 carb removel or YouTube and just watch videos I forgot to say another step before you also have to remove the throdle cable on the side I'm sure there are better videos that show this process.

If I was a bit more of a techie I would post my own video but my phone memory is full and I don't have a video camera.

My GY6 has it. :)
Sorry for hijacking.

Don't worry your fine. It's all related to this topic. I am bad about hijacking some times. I get yelled at over at advriders for it. But people are more chill here.

Hi Everyone!

I've been tinkering with the scooter, and haven't been able to find out that much. I couldn't find the real carburetor under the pin, but finally decided it must be right in the pipe behind the tube, but can't figure out how to get to it! I think I have to take off more of the seat, or something.

The bike was spilling gas from that very area though, so I'm sure it's the problem. There is a flexible rubber tube that runs from the bottom of the carburetor to an air filter, or something, and the gas seems to have run from the carburetor, down that tube, and flooded out the foam filter under the panel. I've been researching the manual, but haven't gotten it apart to the true carb-

I was already having gas problems, but when I put the carb pin back in, it was still slightly wavy, with a long, slight bend. It still drops straight into the hole, so is it okay that it isn't 'perfectly' straight?

As soon as I can figure out how to get to the carb, I'm going to spray it out with carb cleaner, which I think will help. I think something is stuck open with gunk, or something..:hmm:

Check out my posts. Especially the one flooding BAAAAAAAD. Maybe it will help. I try to be very detailed as far as symptoms and corrections. It will run like crap for a while if you overfill the fuel tank. My float stuck at 100 kilometers or less and left me stranded. She's purring now though and I've had worry free 900 kilometers after the work.

WHOA!

Overfilling the gas tank is bad?

When I ran out that other day before it did this, I asked for 4.00, but as soon as I put the nozzle in, it shut off, since it went basically to the bottom of the tank. I held it at the opening to fill, and filled it till it was FULL... :doh:

Could that perchance be related to the problem? :hmm:

I will check out that post before I try removing seats tomorrow.

Thanks! :thanks:

It depends yes if it's to full it can cause problems. I have a metal cross piece about an inch below the top of the neck I just fill it up to there. It needs some space for air. The gas tank needs to breath. I was riding around with my friend once and his just died so we checked the gas and it had some fuel in it and it started back up but another couple miles it died again. Needless to say he had to keep the gas cap off till he got home. I just don't remember what was wrong. He had to replace either the gas cap or there is a vent hose on the top of the tank that might of been kinked or something I just remember it was a simple fix.

The reason why mine used to goof up if overfilled is because the vent to the fuel tank goes through the emissions system. It will get raw fuel into the "charcoal" canister which makes it's way into the vacuum line and the scooter runs very very rich until the tank level drops and the evap system drys out. I fixed mine so it will never do that again.

...But, What KIND of Carburetor??
 

Hi Y'all,

I'm getting a new carburetor for my 2010 Taotao 50, and don't know what to buy. I saw a couple links to some auctions, but they've expired, and I don't know what identifiers I'm looking for.

Could someone tell me what kind of carb to buy? I only recognize the shape, and don't know that that identifies it as the right kind.

I typed in Taotao, and found a 150 cc 27mm one, but is that too big for my engine?

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

Its not that hard all u need is basic tools put it back together the way it came out .. if u have grage put a piece of board down and put the parts u take of on that do not be on grass or gravel is to lose little screws ... take ur time look up things on u tube .. it could be flooded or u need a nee needle .. hope u get it back going feel free to ask me q's im on my 5th gy6 I know how it can be .. I taught my self alot just messing round with them and from youtube as the form

^This.

Though if you have a little extra cash it might be worth your sanity to just take it to a shop and have them adjust the valves and install a new needle/carb.

It sounds like you're starting with very little mechanical knowledge, and Chinese scooters generally need a lot of maintenance to keep them running happily.

HAHA. Yeah, I was thinking along the same lines but some people learn that way. Tear it apart and put it back together. Hey, if it's learning on a scooter it's just like I learned on my first car, a POS 66 stang. I didn't know what the hell I was doing. But it didn't run worth a crap either. I never blamed Ford though. That's the key in my humble opinion.

Thanks guys!

Some people learn by tearing things apart! I break things that way- Frankly, I'm just a little klutzy, and wind up doing more harm than good! I'm not very self sufficient mechanically...

Because it sat all winter, I've had throttle issues, then a leak, I've decided it's probably the carb. Because it's sealed, since I need to replace the carb anyway, and since I've already bent the needle, I've simply contacted a knowledgeable mechanic online, and he is going to replace it with the one I ordered. I hope the one I ordered is right, I got instructions in another thread, but things didn't go right during the ordering..

When it's running, I'm gonna find a class! Lol!

Good luck man. You can unseal the carbs. I did mine. But yeah, they're cheap enough that sometimes replacing it is better than spending all your time repairing it.

Simple fix?
 

Just filled my 150 scooter for first time and it died on me, like it was starved for air. After reading a couple of posts, sounds like the simple fix is to get fuel level down. Can I just leave fuel tank opened for awhile and let evaporation do the trick? I'm female and have limited resources on how to get help otherwise. Looking for an easy fix hopefully.

Help! Tao Tao idle/running prob
 

Ok I have exhausted all the resources on this site and still can't figure out what's going on. It only has 111 miles on it but has been sitting for about 6months - Tao Tao 50 will not idle or run unless started with starting fluid and then will bog down and die after a few seconds - Have checked fuel source (good) - adjusted valves to .003 (they were tight) - removed fuel adjustment tamper proof cover to adjust only to find a tamper proof screw?? How the heck am I supposed to adjust that? Actually did run a little better after valve adjustment and would run/bog/run/bog and then would die when down to idle. Also when i went to remove carb cover - they tightened the damn screws(slotted) on so much that I stripped the one screw - will get the file out and file new slot if needed but was hoping that I wouldn't have to do that - Help?

got it running:)
 

but it still bogs when full throttle - still cant figure how to adjust fuel / carb??

You probably have something clogging up one of the jets in your carb. You'll have to find a way to get the bowl off the carb and spray everything out thoroughly with carb cleaner, including through all the jets and passages. Or just buy a new carb since you will eventually want one that's adjustable down the line.

Just buy a replacement carb. Problem solved. Also replace your vacuum lines. Do not over fill the gas tank or it will vapor lock.