My Tao Tao 50 is very hard to crank

[driveby5]

I just bought a tao tao atm 50 that has only 700 miles on it. When I went to look at the bike and test ride it everything worked fine. It cranked up with no problems and it idle just fine. I've had it for two weeks now setting in my basement out of the weather. Now it is very hard to crank I run the battery dead trying to get it started. It want idle at all the only way to keep it running is keep giving it gas.

I have been reading on the forum and since adjusted valves, put a new spark plug in it and the carb is getting gas. I am at a lose now and don't know what to do.

[Goosey]

I am concerned here about carbon monoxide poisoning first. Are you venting enough air into your basement when you are running it?
Anyhoo, try cleaning the carb. Even though it's getting fuel it may not be dispensing it well.

[driveby5]

I take it outside when I try to start it yes carb is clean

[90GTVert]

First, welcome to the forum. Now, since it's sat for 2 weeks, is that with fuel you put in it or what it had in it? If it's gas from the previous owner, I'd consider draining and replacing it along with the carb cleaning, since you don't know how long it was in there before you bought it. If you've ever smelled bad gas before, you should be able to tell if it's bad or not from smell.

[jmkjr72]

if the fuel wasnt treated for storage it could be going bad and gumed up your carb
these scoots have real tiny jets and gas that is just a couple weeks old can start to gum up a carb

i would drain the gas and put it in the gace clean the carb get a gallon of fresh gas treat it with seafoam and fill the scooter up

[Pony66]

I agree with above advise. Clean the jets again running a piece of wire through each. I would go further and replace your fuel lines with yellow tygon and add a cheap filter.

You may have flooded the scooter. Dont turn the throttle while starting. If you cleaned the carb, use the kickstart at least 10 times to re-fill the carb with fuel.

Check your spark plug. I never hurts to replace with a good NGK.

[driveby5]

the scooter was made in May of 2011 the gas does smell new I also put a ngk plug in it. This weekend I will drain the gas and clean the carb just to say I did and will let you guys know what happens Where can I get the gas line from that you are talking about. Thanks.

[90GTVert]

The stuff the auto parts store carries is fine and if you want the clear tygon hose you might try a small engine shop.

[Deleted]

all the Tao Tao ATM50s that have come to me with about the same amount of miles yours has with the same problem was an extremely lean mixture and tight valves.
if you have not had the carb off what you will find on that bike is a brass plug sealing off the mixture adjustment and possibly sealed bowl screws too.
You will have to drill a hole in that plug and pop it out, adjust the valves and it should be good to go if there are no other problems. if the bowl screws are sealed too you are better of just putting a new carb on it.
some 1/4" fuel line from then auto parts store will be fine. use band clamps from there too.
these are the ones i use they are a good japanese brand fully unsealed with a 5 position needle:
www.ebay.com/itm/120801259749?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_4101wt_1037

[driveby5]

the carb is not sealed, I have already been playing with the mixture screw. Once again what is the valves suppose to be adjusted at. Because I adjusted them at .005 inches is that right.if not let me know and I will let you guys know what happens this weekend when I get time to work on it again.

[90GTVert]

Most set the valves anywhere from .002 - .005". Usually only the exhaust would be .005", intake .004" is about the max most use. If you aren't hearing a lot of clatter from the valve cover, they're probably OK.

[Deleted]

Dec 28, 2011 7:56:07 GMT -5 driveby5 said:

the carb is not sealed, I have already been playing with the mixture screw. Once again what is the valves suppose to be adjusted at. Because I adjusted them at .005 inches is that right.if not let me know and I will let you guys know what happens this weekend when I get time to work on it again.

I have never seen a TaoTao ATM50 with an unsealed carb bowl, some have an unsealed a/f screw but not many. Every one I have worked on was sealed with tight valves and would not crank after about 500-600 miles. Lately I have seen several with very low compression after about 1500 miles.

[tango]

And here I was thinking that Tao Taos were one of the better scoots to have. Considering that they are some of the faster 4 strokes.

[Deleted]

Feb 12, 2012 0:24:42 GMT -5 tango said:

And here I was thinking that Tao Taos were one of the better scoots to have. Considering that they are some of the faster 4 strokes.

they are the worst. best 'sunny' style chinese scooters i have seen are BAJA.
Like the Sun City 50 I have here.

[vvtr]

regarding the 'hard to crank' issue.....

what is it like to turn over by hand? i mean like when you turn the engine with the fan on the flywheel?
what is it like to kickstart? does the compression feel excessive?
some bbk's raise the compression very high and often you cant fit a thicker base or head gasket as it will make the camchain too tight when you put it all back together.

im also wondering if you adjusted the valve clearances correctly and if the valves are opening properly?

with the spark plug out, does the starter spin the motor fast or is it still labouring?
this should rule out any wear / stiffness with the starter assembly itself.

if everything above is ok then yeh, try a higher amperage battery and see if it helps.