Dependable Wet Weather Operation?

scootercommuter · Post by **scootercommuter** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 2:43 pm

I want to commute on my Spree all year, even in the rain. I had just started the scooter and began riding home in steady rain when the scooter bogged down and barely ran I didn't think it was weather-related at first. I got the scooter running but was finding that it would die at higher rpms. It would also die on grades, bumps and when throttling up.

I had read another post where someone was having similar problems. The suggestion was that the bowl may be filling and emptying and that it might be petcock related. I cleaned the tank and fuel filter, blew out the lines with compressed air, checked the petcock for proper operation. After reassembly of everything, I put in fresh fuel. Same problem.

Now, I'm cleaning my carburetor again and noticed what appeared to be water in the bowl. I'm wondering if I had water in my tank prior to the rain in or did it get in through the air cleaner or perhaps another entry point?

Can anyone comment on wet-weather riding? Have you had problems from riding in rain and how did you solve them? How do you prepare your scooter for the rain or is it just not a good idea to ride in the rain, even if you have a banana suit. Thanks in advance

No_Stopping_A_Spree · Post by **No_Stopping_A_Spree** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 8:37 pm

I've never had many problems wet weather riding whether it be rain or snow..but then again mine never did run right lol...truthfully though when it warmed up mine ran better in winter than any other time of the year

berreta22 · Post by **berreta22** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:25 pm

No_Stopping_A_Spree wrote:I've never had many problems wet weather riding whether it be rain or snow..but then again mine never did run right lol...truthfully though when it warmed up mine ran better in winter than any other time of the year

Thats expected..the engine runs cooler and more heat is dissapated (sp)?.

darat · Post by **darat** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:32 pm

maybe u are suckin to much air in.

vonchuk · Post by **vonchuk** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:59 pm

Being I live in Oregon, I ride in a lot of rain with no problems. I suspect you got your water in the carb bowl from the gas as there is no way for water in the air to get into the carb bowl except through the air breather hole at the top of the carb and that is to small to allow anything significant in. If you think you are getting watered gas or to much condensate in the tank add a cap full of denatured alcohol to the tank to burn the water. This is found at most building supplies. It is also sold in automotive supply stores as gas dry or fuel injection cleaner. Many states require the addition of up to 20% alcohol to most gasolines in the winter time.

MySpree · Post by **MySpree** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:22 pm

the moped better run betting in cold, this si michigan, not florida

scootercommuter · Post by **scootercommuter** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:00 pm

Thanks to all for their observations and suggestions.

I now believe that condensate or condensed water from air in the tank was the likely culprit to my problems which had included stalling on hills, bogging down on bumps, and stalling when throttling. I had cleaned my carburetor previously which resulted in better operation but since I had begun commuting on my Spree in early August, I repeatedly let the scooter run until almost empty before re-fueling. I believe that by running until almost empty, I had drawn minute amounts of condensate into the carburetor that initially posed no problem. It remained in the bottom of the carburetor bowl. As it accumulated through repeated episodes of running until E, it accumulated until it became an operational problem.

After thoroughly cleaning the entire fuel system from gas tank through air cleaner. my '87 Spree is idling and running like a champ!! I was able to get up to a bit over 30 miles an hour on flat ground without full throttle!! No misses, no hesitation, no stalling, smooth idling!!

The advice on adding a capful of denatured alcohol or dry gas upon EACH refueling is sound and greatly appreciated. I will practice that. I would suggest that a thorough cleaning of the entire fuel system at least once a year might prevent many of the problems I read about in this fine forum.

One other thing, I fashioned a cover out of thin detergent bottle plastic that protects the air cleaner box from water that may be thrown up by the rear wheel or from splashing. It's a simple rectangular piece duck taped to the top of the air cleaner cover and the rear inner fender. Once the plastic panels are on, it's invisible. Air flow to the air cleaner remains unimpeded. Thanks, again to all respondents. Scootercommuter