Engine dies

JOHNHOF · Post by **JOHNHOF** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:30 am

The Buddy is a 2012 50 Italia with 650 miles on it. I recently purchased the scooter and it had sat awhile. It starts and runs but will go only about one block and then the engine dies and it won't start again until you let it sit a few minutes. I did drain the gas and replaced with new gas and stabilizer. I initially thought old gas and possible varnish in the carb. Now I wonder if something is causing it to flood.
I am looking for suggestions for what to look into as the problem.

Thank you in advance for any help.

kooky scientist · Post by **kooky scientist** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:34 am

Did you replace the spark plug ?

JOHNHOF · Post by **JOHNHOF** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:51 am

I did not change the plug. I assume since it gets spark and runs I would not need to change the plug. Are these 50cc engines touchy?

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 4:08 am

JOHNHOF wrote:I did not change the plug. I assume since it gets spark and runs I would not need to change the plug. Are these 50cc engines touchy?

Well JOHNHOF, there are 3 things that cause an engine to run. Air, Fuel & Fire. Just start eliminating what could be the problem based on those things.

Yes, it could be a fouled plug. Just because it has a spark does not mean it is a good spark. It is a single plug running the engine unlike my Suburban that has 8. If one of my 8 fouls, I will still make it home. If your one plug is fouled, you will not.

So, to answer your question, no. The Buddy 50 engine is not touchy. It behaves roughly the same as any other 2 stroke engine. In the glovebox of all of my 2 stroke scooters I keep spare spark plugs.

So based on the fact that it takes fuel, air & fire to run the enginge, you can now start narrowing it down.

agrogod · Post by **agrogod** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 1:54 pm

Anytime I buy used vehicles I do the big 3 right off the bat. Spark plug, air filter and fuel filter. If you have a problem after replacing these then at least you have eliminated the basic stuff.

JOHNHOF · Post by **JOHNHOF** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:41 pm

I pulled the carburetor and there was a little varnish on the jet needle. Not much but apparently enough to keep it from sliding smoothly. I cleaned the carburetor and blew it out. Since I had these items I used mineral spirits and to get in the small places tiny brushes made to clean paint sprayers.
The Buddy is running great.

Modern Buddy

Engine dies

Engine dies

A little varnish on the needle jet