My new (old) spree wont start suddenly

[f2x phantom]

So i bought an old spree (84-86) and it worked great when i bought it. I put it in my trunk with the Left side down, took it 20 miles home, and then took it out of my car. I stand it up, and try to start it and it starts perfectly, but after about 2 seconds of running, it shuts off. Then i try to start it again, and the motor starts again, but this time shuts off immediately. So i let it rest for a couple of seconds, and then try and it wont start at all. I only get the starting sound where its turning over and it sounds like its going to start right up, but it never does. and a couple times i just got the starter electric sound that sounds like its trying to turn the motor, but it doesn't even get that far. What could be wrong? I was thinking that its not the battery since i did get it running a couple times. Could it be possible that When the scooter was on its side in my car that fuel could have been let into the motor and i just flooded the engine? or is it something more serious or maybe even simpler? Also, my spree does not have a kick starter...at least i didn't see one.an

Also, i don't know much about scooters at all, so any random information is welcome and appreciated as well if you can't answer my above question.

[Fishman43]

The best link for you to learn about your scoot!

http://www.hondaspree.net/phpBB3/viewto ... ?f=11&t=37

I can't say for sure, but I would suspect the gas drained out of your carb bowl so the engine isn't getting enough gas to start and stay running. I doubt flodding since it did start and run twice, if even for a brief moment, flooding=soaked spark plug= no ignition.

[CaptDan]

phantom sez:

I put it in my trunk with the Left side down, took it 20 miles home, and then took it out of my car. I stand it up, and try to start it and it starts perfectly, but after about 2 seconds of running, it shuts off.

I suspect your new/old Spree is suffering from FloatValveItis.

There's a little bitty needle that rides atop the carb float. Like a miniature surfer, this small pin is designed to act as a 'sink stopper' when the carb bowl fills with fuel. The surfer's small 'hat' (a pointy thang) seats in the fuel inlet port preventing fuel flow until the fuel volume drops below a certain point. Then, the Little Surfer's hat unseats from the valve as the 'surfboard' he's riding on (the float) drops with the fuel level.

That's what's SUPPOSED to occur. But, methinx your float valve is crudded up with crappy fuel residue. When you placed your bike on its port side down (that's left facing forward), you inadvertently caused the SurferGuy to contact the cruddy valve and 'glue' himself to the inlet. Hence, the motor will run ONLY as long as there's fuel remaining in the carb. Because the SurferGuy is stuck in place, no mo' gas runs to the carb. The result? No starty.

Solution: Clean carb. Take cue tip and carb cleaner, gently wipe crap off float valve seat. Consider replacing the SurferGuy with a new dude (a float valve kit) available from online vendors for <>$15 and change.

Remember, this advice is worth what you pay. And with the recession, it's likely not too much.

CaptDan>

[f2x phantom]

Thanks alot for the help guys. One question tho, if the case is that all the gas leaked out of the carb bowl, how would i fix this? do i just need to wait a bit? or do i need to do something else? Sorry if its a stupid question. This is my first scooter.

also, thanks for the pdf and useful analogies.

[devenex]

If everything is working right fuel will flow into an empty bowl, just takes a little longer to start as vacuum pressure from a running (or cranking) motor is needed to open the fuel valve.

[Clivester]

Also check to make sure you did not pull off the vacuum line to the petcock inadvertently when it was laid down. That could have happened, especially if there was no side panel on the scoot.