Help newbie

[seeraygo]

I just bought a 2005 zuma that has 9 miles, it is all stock black with red flames, the previous owner drove it home from the dealership 1.5 years back in AZ as a gift from his wife then never used it since then since moving out here to California. The problem is it starts, stays on for a few seconds then dies. Fuel and oil were drained and filled with fresh gas and oil, also installed a new plug.

[burnt_toast]

Are you starting it normally or with engine starter?

Sounds like it's not getting vacuum. To check for vacuum, disconnect the smaller rubber line leading to the carb (there is no gas in this line), and either suck on it or use an actual vacuum cleaner to pull on it. Then try starting again and see if it stays running longer, if it does then you have a vacuum leak somewhere.

But from that description if it tries to start, its got ignition and spark but not getting fuel to keep it going so think about that.

[mikal]

Has the old gas had a chance to make it through the lines yet?

[seeraygo]

I use both the electric and kick start with the same results. I also have a feeling the old gas has not made it through the carb as I smelll this ododr of old stale gasoline, that smell you get when you have gas sitting around for a while. How do you drain the carb of this? I was looking for the rubber bubble to pump to drai the bowl similar to what my 25cc goped's carb has.

[alien]

make sure mouses didnt make a nest in the airbox. Start it, and let it idle as long as it wants too. Maybe rock it on the center stand back and forth while its idling. Gradually, try and give if gas. The more it idles, and the more it runs, the better it will get. Normally you would pull the carb, but its only an 05, and shouldn't be that gunked up. You may have to anyway, but maybe no.

[mikal]

There is no primer(bubble) on there. Isn't there a starter fluid trick, spray it in the carb?

[seeraygo]

how do yo get access to the air box here? I'm thinking somewhere under the seat?

[mikal]

No, its right behind the left foot area. You remove the two screws that mount it to the tranny box cover, then take off the battery cover. Once you have the cover off you'll see where the airbox meets the carb. Its held on only by the two screws and that metal ring.

[seeraygo]

damn, whoever put those screws in at the factory didn't want them taken out. they are tight!!

[seeraygo]

Those two screw that bolt th airbox to the tranny housing wont come off. I've tried wd40 and tapping the screw driver with a hammer with hopes of loosening it up a little to no avail. Is here another way of getting some carb cleaner in there. I have a feeling int's clogged since it sat idle for more thn a year. engine will start and idle for a few seconds before sputtering and shutting down.

[mikal]

Vise Grips

[thats nice]

Vise Grips

yes i got mine off with vise grips- then replaced

[mikal]

I just ordered another set of bolts & screws for my Zuma. After pulling it apart and getting it back together so many times, just about all my screws are near stipped.

[OldGuy1]

Impact screwdriver.

[seeraygo]

OK! FInally got airbox off, airbox and filter is clean (filter is originar and looks brand new) and I sprayed some carb cleaner into the carb and let is sit for 5-10 minutes a couple of times re-assembled everything....same result! starts fine (electric or kick) idles for a few seconds (3-4 seconds) sputters then cuts off..i think ill pick up new plugs, whats good? I have an NGK BPR7HS on it which I think came on it from the factory..also what should the gap be? should I also check on adjusting the carb mixture? what's the ideal setting?

[alien]

Leave the carb mix alone. Its got old fuel in it. If you can, see if you have a drain on the bottom of the carb. That would be ideal. Use the BPR7HS, its what it calls for. You could also remove the carb, and remove the bowl, but I'm not sure what your comfort range is for working on motors.

[seeraygo]

ok, took the bowl off which was clean, no presence of sludge but cleaned it with carb cleaner anyway, I sprayed carb cleaner on all the jets as well re-assembled put airbox back on. I also replaced the plugs (.28 gap) same results ...pissed. i don't know..I really wanted to enjoy riding today and see if i can get this going but I don't want to spend any more of my valuable weekend so I'm calling it a day. I'll just walk it over to the local cycle shop sometime this week. ironic thing is my 02 with 3k miles starts and runs fine and my 05 with 9 miles won't fire up. I got these two scoots over the weekend for $2400 and was hoping to ride em with my kids.

[alien]

If its not the carb, you could move to the fuel valve. You'll have to take off one of the side covers. Its between the fuel tank,and the carb.Its mounted under the fuel tank. It has a vacuum line running to it. When the scooter is running, vacuum opens a diaphram that lets fuel flow to the carb. You can check this by applying vacuum to the valve by disconnecting the vacuum line at the carb, and sucking on it, or apply vacuum to it. Gentle pressure should allow fuel to flow freely. You can also disconnect the fuel inlet line to the carb to verify flowing fuel.

[Skullet]

my elite was doin this exact same thing. it ended up that the idle jet or the main jet was clogged, and the only way to clean it is with a little wire (that i had to pay 50.00 to have done because i didnt know that). lol.. try that, if ur ok with takin the carb apart.

[seeraygo]

I'm wondering..will I be able to do this (uncloggin the jets with a wire) with just taking the bowl off or do I have to take the whole carb apart?

[seeraygo]

Wooohoooo!! She's up and running!!! Thanks to everyone, finally decided to give it one more shot so I took the carb apart again and like skullet said the wire trick and A LOT of carb cleaner into the jet(s) solved the problem!! I did get to ride it before the day was over, just got back from going all over the neighborhood.

Thanks to all!!

Ray-- :yippy: