Seizing ...

[Devo McDuff]

How do chaps,

This morning on the way into work the scoot (VBB frame with LML 150 engine) nipped a bit, just for a moment. Was like it was starved of fuel for a few seconds and was then okay, I only had about a mile to go and it was okay for that.

On the way back it was much worse, about half a mile in it happened again but didn't recover. Was in third I think and again felt starved and just cut out, was like a mini-seize. Pulled over and it kicked over okay. Went a little further and the same again, swapped the plug (which was boiling, should it be hot so quickly?) and kicked over alright and idled okay. Done it again pretty much straight away though and then would stall as soon as any throttle applied. So wheeled it home the last couple of miles. It's only about 3 miles from home to work in total. It was a particularly hot day today but while at work the scoot was in the shade.

Left it a few hours and kicked it over again, left it idling for a few minutes without issue. Gave it a load of revs and seemed fine. Took it for a little spin and within a few seconds (pretty much as I revved in third) same result. Would kick over okay but soon as any throttle would stall and after starting and applying throttle twice wouldn't start at all.

Any ideas?

Cheers,

Dan

[dave1967]

Hi Mate

Is it running autolube if so sounds like you have a problem somewhere with it. You need to remove carb and autolube pump and check channel is clear and pump is working.Unfortunatly i would recomend you start looking at what damge has been done elsewhere bearings, piston barrell rings etc.

Good luck

Dave

[Devo McDuff]

Nah, I mix. Sorry, meant to mention that. It was a few weeks ago I filled up (2% mix) and it's been running alright prior to yesterday so presume I got the mix right.

[dave1967]

Check that mix % i thought they were 5% but i may be wrong, sounds like you have a mechanical problem then, when it nips up if you pull the clutch in can you push it, may sound like a stupid question but it is relavent.

[Devo McDuff]

Is defo 2% mate, that's the mix recommended by the shop that restored it. Done probably 1000KM with that mix without issue before this.

Yes, can wheel it with clutch in. Is that to check that the piston hasn't seized fully in the barrel?

Ta for your help.

[dave1967]

Well as you have only done 1000km its cant be fuel air mix either so i would say your looking at a component failure, now the cranks are not strong on LML's so its a possibilty thats failed, or crank bearings either way you need to remove head and barrell to have a look and see what the damage to the bore is. May be worth a call to the shop that you got it from ask if they rebuilt engine as well or was it new. Either way it looks like you could be in for a strip down and splitting casings. email me a [e-mail] with your mobile and i will call you.

Dave

[Devo McDuff]

I got it 2nd hand but the shop that built it is round the corner from where I work. Would have been a new LML 150, has only done about 5000KM in all.

I'll wheel it into town at the weekend, gonna be a tough 3 or 4 miles

Cheers for offer of help mate, am in Sydney though.

[Rudi]

Jan 24, 2011 14:29:02 GMT Devo McDuff said:

This morning on the way into work the scoot (VBB frame with LML 150 engine) nipped a bit, just for a moment.

At what speed was that?

[Devo McDuff]

Not too fast, would guess at about 25 mph.

[Rudi]

on 25 mph i doubt it was a seize

[Devo McDuff]

Probably bad terminology on my part, just meant the symptoms were a little bit similar in that it cuts out altogether and all power lost. Having had a proper seize a before, this was very different, in that I didn't sh*t myself! ;D

[jackthekipper]

have you checked the gasket what the carb sits on pal, if its split it would give these symptoms

[Devo McDuff]

Alright mate. I'm a bit mechanically retarded (not great, considering I'm a systems engineer!). Took the top of the air filter off and then the 2 screws connecting it to the carb. Slid the grommet off the idle screw but the filter wouldn't go over the top, looks like it was catching on another bit of the carb.

Even if I did get it off how easy is it to get under the carb to check the gasket?

Anyway, am about to wheel it the 3 miles or so into the city to the scooter shop. 41 degrees outside, crikey.

[jackthekipper]

If you have had a soft seize on an injected bike, you should probably remove the carb box completely and inspect the oil path under the box. the box is removed by a small flat head screw under the carb to base gasket. DO NOT DROP THIS SCREW INTO YOUR CRANKSHAFT! hope this helps pal oh, & by the way...11 bloody degrees ere'

[Devo McDuff]

Forgot to reply to this. Scoot shop cleaned the carb and seems okay now, will see how it goes.

Somet I could have probably done myself, next time I'll have a go.