It wont start

[pumba]

hi all,
right, i have a 50cc moped and its not starting.
i have chacked the spark plug. but one of my friends, who works in a garage said to check if theirs any petrol in the cylinder and i dont know how id do that.
it has plenty of petrol in the tank and it wont start on the electric or on the kick.
anyone have any ideas?
thanks

[Hyperion]

first things first, Check for a spark at the plug - Remove the plug, reconnect the HT lead, hold the plug body onto the engine casing, and crank the engine. You should see a spark.

The plug will be damp if fuel is getting through.

[m3psm]

Hyperion said:

first things first, Check for a spark at the plug - Remove the plug, reconnect the HT lead, hold the plug body onto the engine casing, and crank the engine. You should see a spark.

The plug will be damp if fuel is getting through.

Hold it with a pair of insulated pliers or you'll get a shock

Then kick it over over a few times with the plug out to disperse any unburnt fuel in the barrel.

If you have a spark and have got rid of the unburnt fuel it should then start.

If it hasn't been run for a while you'll have stale fuel in the bottom of the carb. There's a drain screw at the bottom of the carb bowl (the lowest single screw you can find) which needs undoing to get rid of the stale stuff. If it's been standing for a couple of years then you'll have jelly in carbs so will need to strip and clean it. For that I'd get a mechanic if you're not familiar with the toolbox

Also, if it has gears, start it by bumping, not kick or electric start as it'll be more likely to fire into life. Sit on it in 2nd gear with the ignition on and pull the clutch lever in. Get a mate to push and when you get a decent speed up, let out the clutch lever and it should leap into life after one or two goes.

If it's an auto you'll probably have a low battery so will need to give it a boost from another bike or car if it's a 12v battery.

Good luck with it

[dern]

m3psm said:

Hyperion said:

first things first, Check for a spark at the plug - Remove the plug, reconnect the HT lead, hold the plug body onto the engine casing, and crank the engine. You should see a spark.

The plug will be damp if fuel is getting through.

Hold it with a pair of insulated pliers or you'll get a shock

If it's touching the block then it's earthed so theoretically you shouldn't... should you? Disclaimer: I've never had the bottle to try this as it hurts when I've earthed an ht lead through my finger nail

[m3psm]

dern said:

m3psm said:

Hyperion said:

first things first, Check for a spark at the plug - Remove the plug, reconnect the HT lead, hold the plug body onto the engine casing, and crank the engine. You should see a spark.

The plug will be damp if fuel is getting through.

Hold it with a pair of insulated pliers or you'll get a shock

If it's touching the block then it's earthed so theoretically you shouldn't... should you? Disclaimer: I've never had the bottle to try this as it hurts when I've earthed an ht lead through my finger nail

I've done it several times and you will get a shock. Not sure of the science but probably because the engine is isolated on rubber mounts or some such trickery

[dern]

m3psm said:

I've done it several times and you will get a shock. Not sure of the science but probably because the engine is isolated on rubber mounts or some such trickery

Good enough for me. "Nurse... the large rubber gloves if you please!"