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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 6, 2012 2:36:38 GMT -5
Well Rebs & Rebettes, After 5 years, "Lil' Bubba" finally left me stranded.  Guess it's bound to happen SOME time... LOL!Before working on the engine, I went to the spray car wash as I've done at least 50 times. In the past, I've always left the engine running while giving the scoot a bath. This time, I had a different air-filter on and was concerned about water getting in the engine, so I shut down and covered the filter. After washing it down, I tried to start the engine with NO success... "Deader than Kelsey's nutz". I then pushed my little friend the mile or so home. Whew, at my age, THAT was a miserable job! I let it sit in the sun for two days figuring it would dry out. NOPE! (No, I hadn't accidentally engaged the kill button...) I pulled the plug, grounded it and hit the starter. A very weak, yellow spark was there, but not hot enough to run the engine. Evidentally, even though I was careful, I got water someplace it shouldn't get. My guess is the coil. Both the Bando coil and performance CDI are now more than four years old, and maybe not as water-tight as they once were. I have a new coil and CDI coming (same brands, sold as a matched pair from the same old eBay seller, and much cheaper now!). Should be here in a few days. I'll replace the coil first to see if it's the offender, but I'll do the CDI too. If that doesn't fix the problem, I'll shout for some help... LOL!  So, based on my experience, y'all need to be careful where the spray wash gets to. As soon as I get the new parts, I'll update this post as to whether the fix works or not, for the edification of all who like to keep their engines "sanitary"... In the mean time, keep yer' powder (and yer' electronics) dry! Leo in Texas |
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Post by Rebel on Nov 6, 2012 2:49:31 GMT -5
I did that with my car when I was a kid, popped the hood and washed the motor at the car wash. Wouldn't start but the motor was clean.
Called my Dad and he knew just what had happened, I got the points wet and they wouldn't work. Of course these don't have points.
Hope the new parts work for you.
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Post by terrilee on Nov 6, 2012 8:12:17 GMT -5
i think thats how i KILLED my magneto
i came home from running errands
{ this was feb, i think}
and was worried because i did run thru
some melting snow and water--salt
the steps that go down to my basement
are outside and right next to the sidewalk
So i parked Chrissy, and washed her her down to get the salt off
and , thinking back, im sure i sprayed to much water
into that area.
so i mighta killed my magneto
if i did, that make NO breakdowns, that she caused
just another from dumbass me
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 6, 2012 14:44:03 GMT -5
Called my Dad and he knew just what had happened, I got the points wet and they wouldn't work. Of course these don't have points.
Hope the new parts work for you.[/quote]
Hey Reb,
Sure they have points... Some, good. Some, not so good... Sorry, just couldn't resist! I'll report the results of the new part to the troops as soon as they get transplanted.
Stay dry...
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 6, 2012 14:57:57 GMT -5
i think thats how i KILLED my magneto
I know they do CALL that doodad a "magneto" but I'm old-school and say a REAL magneto has to generate its own high-voltage spark juice... Like a vintage lawn-mower, or airplane. Anyway, whatever you call it, that wound-coil "thingie" behind the flywheel WOULD cause trouble if it got wet. I HAVE considered that, and if the new coil and CDI don't fix the problem, THAT part will be next to be replaced. You DO have to pull the flywheel to replace it, but that doesn't appear to be very difficult. I'll try the easiest fixes first... LOL! The coil and CDI are "plug n' play" and can be changed out in minutes... The magneto/stator or whatever, is tucked well behind the flywheel, inside the cooling-fan shroud, and pretty well protected from water, but who knows? The CDI and coil are also sealed and at least "in theory" waterproof too... But age, sun and engine-heat can degrade the seals over the years. I'll keep the troops posted in this thread as soon as the parts arrive, and I can get them installed. We all like to keep our scoots reasonably clean, so this experience may help others who have similar problems. Give "Jessica Rabbit" a hug... I'm not "drawn that way" but maybe since I'm an artist, I could get a "do-over"... HeHeHe... Ride safe! Leo |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 4:02:47 GMT -5
oldchopperguy
sorry to hear it fella, but you know what
this thread was a great read
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Post by fox on Nov 7, 2012 11:27:27 GMT -5
Sorry for your misfortune.
I've been posting for years not to spray high pressure water on these Chinese scooters. I just use Windex and a towel. I also never ride in the rain. I think it's probably better to shut the engine off if you are going to do it so there is no current running through the system.
I've de-greased engines with Gunk before but I always remove the rear wheel, stator and the belt drive components and put a piece of plastic wrap over the carb throat with a rubber band before I apply the gunk and the water.
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Post by Rebel on Nov 7, 2012 15:38:52 GMT -5
Good advice.
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Post by fox on Nov 8, 2012 0:41:07 GMT -5
Thanks Doug! I'll spray water on the wheels and I'll get a scooter wet with a hose but only a cursory wet-down. Never do I use a high pressure nozzle. The electrical plug connectors and switches are just not up to snuff for that. I never wet down the handlebar/switch area. Just Windex and a rag. It may take a little longer to get everything clean but it's worth the extra effort so that you don't end up tracking down an electrical issue.
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Post by Rebel on Nov 8, 2012 1:12:41 GMT -5
Really, they are not so large that you couldn't clean them with a bucket of water and a sponge or a rag, no big need to spray em down.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2012 1:24:43 GMT -5
not so much since this new engine, but befor when i did sometimes 70 miles-a day i rode thru all kinds of rain and never had a problem, my favorite time is in autumn, when it mists softly and you get dry then wet again.
except some historic colds
now if i ride wet, I hit the shower first thing.
Leo, i will tell you a funny thing, once i was working on a car intake, I had put some seafoam down the gas intake, (i just put boron in the oil too) I told the guy to start the car---KAH FRIGGIN-BOOOOM!!!!
he starts screaming "I know i should never let you put that crap in my oil, what the hell hppen to my car???"
I was at a total loss to anserw, the boom was loud too,,,,and the dam car would not even turn over.
the car was towed in, turned out the starter motor shorted and blew up, just same day i was cleaning the intake, IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME OR ANYTHING I WORKED ON
LEO MAYBY something just blew on carwash day.bobby darin's very real bubble top below 
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 8, 2012 12:17:56 GMT -5
not so much since this new engine, but befor when i did sometimes 70 miles-a day i rode thru all kinds of rain and never had a problem, my favorite time is in autumn, when it mists softly and you get dry then wet again.
except some historic colds
now if i ride wet, I hit the shower first thing.
Leo, i will tell you a funny thing, once i was working on a car intake, I had put some seafoam down the gas intake, (i just put boron in the oil too) I told the guy to start the car---KAH FRIGGIN-BOOOOM!!!!
he starts screaming "I know i should never let you put that crap in my oil, what the hell hppen to my car???"
I was at a total loss to anserw, the boom was loud too,,,,and the dam car would not even turn over.
the car was towed in, turned out the starter motor shorted and blew up, just same day i was cleaning the intake, IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME OR ANYTHING I WORKED ON
LEO MAYBY something just blew on carwash day. [/color] bobby darin's very real bubble top below [/quote] That same thought also crossed my mind. It DOES happen. Latley, I've been getting some slight signs of weak spark at idle and was considering "stocking up" on a new CDI and coil. Shoulda done it... Hopefully the new parts will arrive today. I've never been too concerned about spray-washing these since they are common all over the third-world where they sit out in monsoons, tropical heat and wet, and are the "family car" for millions who ride them through engine-deep muck and swamp-water... I've probably sprayed the engine down at least 50 times over the last 5 years, BUT... I've always left the engine running. Might get a slight sputter, but it always stayed running. It's a habit I picked up fifty years ago (yeah, they actually DID have spray washes that far back!) when washing down Harleys and even one BSA with that AWFUL cloth-insulated Brit wiring... Never had one act up before. I'm always careful not to spray directly into known electrical components, but I learned a good lesson this time. More care will be taken in the future... And, the engine will stay running during its bath... LOL! Gotta love that candy-red Darrin tribute to tail-fins! Sorta like a '59 Caddy on steroids! My kind of ride...Stay dry, and stay clear of flying pieces when those motors "kit" themselves... LOL! Leo |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2012 13:34:23 GMT -5
Leocapacitors in cdis wear out, it best to change them every 5-7000
I have seen this first hand on my bike.
That is actually bobby Darins car, cost 150,000 to build back in his day.
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Post by Rebel on Nov 8, 2012 15:44:00 GMT -5
You could be right on about the CDI. Mine was dead at 7000 chinometers.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Nov 9, 2012 20:11:49 GMT -5
EW-REE-KAAHHH! Houston, we HAVE ignition... Lil' Bubba rides again!
Terra Nuvo and Rebel were RIGHT! And, it indeed WAS the CDI.
The new coil and CDI arrived today, and the coil went on first. No luck. Then the CDI. BINGO! Fired right up and purrs like a kitten. For just an instant, my old mind slipped back fifty years, anticipating the mighty, chest-pounding cackle of a 150-inch Harley stroker... However, the friendly, reassuring "poot-poot-poot" of the not-so-mighty little "Mousey Tongue's peoples' wonder" still sounded just fine to these shopworn old ears. And, kicking over 200 horses with 13:1 compression somehow doesn't seem to be quite as much ankle-bustin' fun at my age... Nope! 9hp and 90 mpg is just fine these days.
The old CDI was the early red-anodized "New Racing" unit found all over eBay, and was a MAJOR improvement over the original stocker. The replacement is the "upgraded" blue-anodized New Racing CDI "with the more aggressive spark curve..." Don't ya just love that Chinese marketing?
However, they weren't exactly kidding. The doggone thing really comes on around 8,500 rpm on up to over 9 grand. Feels almost like a hot cam coming on. Hmmm... Be still my beating heart, and Lord save the rod and crank... HeHeHe... Now, I've just GOTTA get that Prodigy variator on board and see what it will do.
Anyone wanting to get the Bando coil, or the New Racing CDI should search eBay well... They sell anywhere from $49 each, plus shipping, to the $22 with free shipping for the pair. Might be a good idea to keep a fresh CDI in the trunk just in case... though age might take its toll even on an unused one. Could save you a long push home though... LOL!
I dug into the bad CDI just to be sure, and there was NO water inside at all. Just a bad coincidence. I still believe these things are supposed to stand up to monsoons, tsunamis, heavy dew, hell-fire & perdition... but probably NOT to 10K rpm...
Appears that the CDI is a relatively "weak link" in the design, so... I'm glad it's a fairly affordable, AND 5-minute no-tools fix!
Yee-Ha, and Ride safe!
Leo in Texas
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Guess it's bound to happen SOME time... LOL!
CAN YOU HELP ME OUT MAN,AS i LOST ME JOB DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THERE?ANY INF