|
|
Post by collapsednut on Aug 24, 2011 18:07:39 GMT -5
Hello everyone! I just today got a new TaoTao ATM50. Thing is super nice for the price. I've got a few questions though.
I was riding it home from work, and if the speedo is right... I was doing 50mph+ on level ground. Is that normal or is my speedo wrong?
Now a real issue. After about 10min of ride, it started to loose power and sputter. I heard a knocking sound when I would try to throttle up, but for the life of me can't remember exactly how it sounded now. It was a slow knock, not like a spun bearing or wrist pin, and I really feel like it was coming from the drive belt near the engine and/or engine knock from ignition timing being off ect.. I pulled into a lot and it died, yet it started right back up with a little throttle. Went back out on the road and was good for about 5min. Then it started again. Pulled over and let it sit while I had a cold drink. Started up and drove another 5min with no problems, got home safe. When opening the throttle it seems to make it worse and it would loose power faster.
I'm eatin me some food then Ima go take a look at it. Any advise? I figure if it was the coil getting hot it woulda died and not started right back. Also I let it idle for about 30min after I assembled it and it was fine. I know there are some rollers in the drive unit near the engine, maybe one of those slinging in and out would make my noise?
|
|
|
|
Post by reveeen on Aug 24, 2011 19:17:59 GMT -5
You don't say if you bought it assembled, or "in the crate"?
The speedo it telling you "stories", I would not expect more than 35mph..... probably a good idea to get someone in a car to follow you to get a real number.
If you bought your bike in a crate, or even from a "dealer", it probably wouldn't be a bad thing to check it over.
Change the oil to something decent, adjust the valves, change the spark plug, check the tires, nuts and bolts for tightness and lights for proper functioning.
|
|
|
|
Post by collapsednut on Aug 24, 2011 19:27:47 GMT -5
Ah yes. I bought it crated. Tho only assembly I did was bolt on the handlebars, front wheel, and some random plastic. I did the prelim's before taking off. Tire pressures, oil. bolts that could come loose and kill me ect. Ima wait a day or so and change the oil, as the manufacture stamp says it was built only 4 months ago. Granted its cheap chinese oil, it should last a few miles.
I did some playing after dinner and found two things:
The vac line for the fuel pump was pinched between the seat and a bracket, Im sure it was not getting proper flow as the fuel pump wouldnt be pumping much with the line pinched all most shut.
A hose related to the EGR system had been touching the exhaust and burned the tip of the hose, forming a plug of sorts. This hose simply runs down to just below the frame and dead ends. When running it has slight pressure on it if you put your finger over the opening.
Went for a short ride just now and had no problems, but it was nothing like my 20 mile ride home from work. Any other ideas? I'ma ride it to work in the morning and see if the problem comes back.
|
|
tango
Scoot Enthusiast
Ad agendum semper parati
Posts: 389
|
Post by tango on Aug 25, 2011 0:10:35 GMT -5
I've heard several owners say that they have GPS verified very high speeds (approx 50mph as well) on TaoTaos. Even recently a poster made similar claims. I would be willing to bet that they aren't actually 49cc engines at all, but may very well be 82s or larger.
|
|
|
|
Post by collapsednut on Aug 25, 2011 5:43:33 GMT -5
Interesting... Ill get my gps and try that, didnt think of that. I wonder how they sneak that thru? And why? Anywho, Im about to take off for work, so we will see if I get my problem again.
|
|
|
|
Post by brandonscoot on Aug 25, 2011 14:54:25 GMT -5
yeah i think gps verification is best. i thought for the longest time i was hitting 56 or so but turns out my TOP speed was 47.1 :/
|
|
|
|
Post by collapsednut on Aug 25, 2011 16:47:06 GMT -5
Well GPS says I got to 48mph. Thats cool and all... But I still have the problem. I can better describe it now tho.
-Only happens after about 10miles of wide open throttle ride.
-Engine looses top end power, will stall when coming to a stop.
-Will start back but its not easy. Takes a lot of throttle wiggling.
-Buzzing type niose, very fast, dull pitch, only presant when trying to speed up\load on engine.
Now Im thinking its the valves... wish I wasnt 120miles from my tool box *sigh*. Ima have to go buy another feeler gauge set now.
Any other ideas?
|
|
|
|
Post by lshigham on Aug 25, 2011 16:52:29 GMT -5
Start with the valves, sounds most likely TBH. After that, could be the coil breaking down and packing up when it gets hot.
|
|
|
|
Post by collapsednut on Aug 25, 2011 17:13:55 GMT -5
Workin on it now. Did you know, a dollar bill is 0.1mm thick, which is about .004". Fun fact. Im assuming the valves should be around .002"
|
|
|
|
Post by collapsednut on Aug 25, 2011 18:02:25 GMT -5
Alright. Intake valve was good. Exhaust was around .005". I dont think this would be the problem. Ima call tomorrow and see if they will send me a replacement CDI unit and coil.
|
|
tango
Scoot Enthusiast
Ad agendum semper parati
Posts: 389
|
Post by tango on Aug 25, 2011 18:08:20 GMT -5
Interesting... Ill get my gps and try that, didnt think of that. I wonder how they sneak that thru? And why? Anywho, Im about to take off for work, so we will see if I get my problem again. : Easy. Put the larger pistons in a cylinder that is stamped "49cc". Unless the authorities disassemble every scooter they would never know what's inside. And neither would you. Why: 4 stroke scooters are quieter, more fuel efficient, but ar less powerful than the 2 strokes. Everybody wants a bit more speed. If word gets out that TaoTaos are the fastest 4 stroke 50cc scooters out there, then that makes for good advertisement and more sales. I would actually consider a TaoTao if it weren't for the silly "Sunny" style body. If it was a Huricane style then it would be at the TOP of my list for the speed reason alone. That said, I'm just supposing that this (larger engine size) is the case. I've never seen or heard any proof of this at all. It's just the only logical answer I can come up with, since a big bore kit is one of the few ways to increase top speed by over 10mph. As Reveeen said, most 4Ts only hit about 35mph, but something is up with TaoTaos. |
|
|
|
Post by collapsednut on Aug 25, 2011 18:24:50 GMT -5
Those sneeky Chinamen  I know for sure I went 48mph on semi level surface, with uphill grade. That is untill it started to sputter and die lol. But I need to add I'm a small guy. 120lbs. That could be a reason as well. |
|
|
|
Post by kellyetheredge on Aug 26, 2011 17:06:51 GMT -5
Hey, all 2011 Tao Tao actually have 63cc engines.......mine does and verified 47mph per GPS...
Had to adjust the valves twice.....only has 2000 km so far
Other than the valve issue.....I love this scoot for the price
|
|
|
|
Post by collapsednut on Aug 26, 2011 17:07:41 GMT -5
So today I had no problems. Granted the air temp was much lower today. I changed the sprak plug last night as well. I guess we'll just ride it and see what happens on the next hot day. I wanna get a better coil anyways cause I hate the spark plug boot. Its all metal with a rubber liner inside it. Seems cheap to me and could be a problem down the road.
|
|
tango
Scoot Enthusiast
Ad agendum semper parati
Posts: 389
|
Post by tango on Aug 27, 2011 0:47:14 GMT -5
So today I had no problems. Granted the air temp was much lower today. I changed the sprak plug last night as well. I guess we'll just ride it and see what happens on the next hot day. I wanna get a better coil anyways cause I hate the spark plug boot. Its all metal with a rubber liner inside it. Seems cheap to me and could be a problem down the road. Indeed it will. As the rubber underneath degrades it will only be a better conduit for spark current to start leaking all over the place. Saw this with a car I owned that had aluminium shielding around the plug boots. That said, now we have proof. The ubiquitous TaoTaos have 63cc engines. I suspect that this practice goes back a long way though. They couldn't have only just now been getting smart. You never know though, I may get to appreciate the silly Sunny style looks, in exchange for the extra speed and fuel economy. |
|
I know for sure I went 48mph on semi level surface, with uphill grade. That is untill it started to sputter and die lol. But I need to add I'm a small guy. 120lbs. That could be a reason as well.