let friend borrow spree for long journey now it doesn't star

Trying to get your Spree/Elite to run, or run better? Post your questions here.

Moderator: Moderator

Post Reply
User avatar
mixedbreed
Noob
Noob
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:00 am
Location: Toronto, Canada

let friend borrow spree for long journey now it doesn't star

Post by mixedbreed »

Hi guys,

The other day I let my friend take the spree out for the day and when I got it back it didn't run but it was driving right into my parking garage so it must have worked until she turned it off. She ran it for about 1 hr probably close to around 55-65 km/h the whole way I had just bought it recently so I haven't even gone out for a good run yet :oops: . Since it was running for quite a while at max speed I hoped for the best and changed the spark plug it was slightly black but not oily I guess it was running slightly lean and then cleaned the air filter. The battery is brand new but I was hoping for the best but seems like something bigger has happened.
When I try to kick start it, I don't hear anything and when I press the starter I hear noise but no action. And the engine isn't on off.
Do you think it has anything to do with the carb? To do the Sea Foam carb cleaning I am assuming it needs to actually run or am I mistaken and the initial injection clean off some gunk and will hopefully start?
The Spree has 14323 km on it but engine was fully rebuilt 3 months ago and was running great until a couple days ago. :x
Is there any good mods to do for long distance reliability? I've ordered another spare bpr8hsa plugs for whenever it gets running again.
Thank you all in advance
If any additional info is needed I will graciously provide it
You guys are my only help other than the less than helpful to the scooter noob haynes manual, only scoot shops around here service vespas and lambrettas and told me they won't even take a look at this old honda ****
:x
User avatar
islandbayy
Elite
Elite
Posts: 314
Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2006 12:26 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Contact:

Post by islandbayy »

Make sure theirs oil in it. Running it that long with not enough oil, or if it was not giveing the engine enough oil, could have caused some problems. I've run mine at top speed for 3 hrs straight in the past (Excluding minor potty breaks).
Owner of K-Man Auto, Scooters, & Electric Cars
Home of Wisconsin's First Street Legal DOT Licensed Electric Cars!
http://KmanScooters.com
http://MilwaukeeEV.com
berreta22
Elite
Elite
Posts: 508
Joined: Wed Mar 22, 2006 2:04 pm
Location: Grand Rapids,Mi
Contact:

Post by berreta22 »

If the engine was rebuilt and then taken out at max speed without being properly broken in, my guess is that the cylinders are glazed. Check your compression and see it is around 100psi or so. If not, replace the rings.
1987 Spree 4400 miles 32 mph stock with my 285lb ***
User avatar
mixedbreed
Noob
Noob
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:00 am
Location: Toronto, Canada

Post by mixedbreed »

I shall check the compression tonight and it should be up from what I read about 113 psi right.
Thanks again guys. 8) This sites amazing even the pointless arguments from hijacked threads are good for a laugh.
User avatar
mixedbreed
Noob
Noob
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:00 am
Location: Toronto, Canada

Post by mixedbreed »

I checked the compression and it's around 113 so I'm guessing it must be some obstruction with the gas? When I took out the new plug I put it was slightly wet, Is it flooded?
OZZYDUDE
Noob
Noob
Posts: 16
Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:51 pm
Location: Portage, IN

Post by OZZYDUDE »

Did you check to see if it had spark?
User avatar
darat
Veteran OG
Veteran OG
Posts: 3132
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2004 10:24 am
Location: Fraser Michigan
Contact:

Post by darat »

yeah see if it has spark
MICHIGAN MOPED MAFIA Co Founder VET OG. 95 YAMAHA JOG 70CC
se50
Spree
Spree
Posts: 196
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 10:52 pm

Post by se50 »

In another thread is my story of letting a cousin drive my four wheeler. They drove it wide open in first gear down the road for a good distance on a hot day. Bad things happened to my engine, and is due for a rebuild again soon. Moral of the story- Don't let the inexperienced drive vehicles you care about.
1982 Volkswagen Rabbit 4dr 1.6l diesel (5 speed)
1987 Honda Elite SE50p with drilled out main jet, shaved head, UNI filter
1985 Kawasaki Bayou 185 ATV
1984 Yamaha IT200 enduro
1974 Piaggio/Vespa Ciao moped, pocketbike exhaust.
Dspecht
Noob
Noob
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Jun 16, 2006 7:38 pm

Post by Dspecht »

So it has good compression. That leaves fuel or spark. Does it have a spark when the plug is grounded? If it does then its fuel related. Could be a clogged filter, defective fuel control valve, dirty carb.
User avatar
mixedbreed
Noob
Noob
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:00 am
Location: Toronto, Canada

Post by mixedbreed »

After tampering with many things (cleaned the carb and others) I checked to see if I had spark. I couldn't get a spark. So I guess all along that was the problem. It has a brand new spark plug on there with proper gap I might just break down and go to a shop if electrical things are quite difficult to fix.
berreta22
Elite
Elite
Posts: 508
Joined: Wed Mar 22, 2006 2:04 pm
Location: Grand Rapids,Mi
Contact:

Post by berreta22 »

did you ground out the spark plug when you checked for spark? If you didnt, then you will never get spark.
1987 Spree 4400 miles 32 mph stock with my 285lb ***
Post Reply