50cc Scooter sitting for 3 years

[daniellebreann]

Hey everyone I just got a 2013 tao tao 50cc scooter for $100. The guy said that its been sitting outside for about 3 years. It doesn't run or start. What can I expect to be wrong with it and is it fixable? And if I took it to a shop what do you think it would cost to get it running again? Thanks

[aeroxbud]

If you are lucky. A change of gas and a carb clean would be the best case scenario. You would need a battery too.
It shouldn't take a shop more than an hour's labour, and little cost. That's if there wasn't a problem it was parked for.
But once it's running it might need brakes or tires looking at.
There are loads of videos online on how to clean carbs. Some carb cleaner and a few screwdrivers is mostly what you will need.
Definitely a job you could tackle.

[GrumpyUnk]

I would check for whatever was left in the fuel tank. If fuel was left, it could have turned to 'something.' The tank outlet has a tube with screening built in. It could be clogged. You may be able to see looking through the filler neck. The petcock could be gooey, and may / may not flow fuel when vacuum is applied. The filter could also be gunked. The float bowl is the most likely to have a gooey mess. You can remove the float bowl and clean the jets, main and pilot. Pilot most likely plugged, and a single strand from a wire brush can be used to poke through the decayed fuel residue.
I would make sure full fuel flow from the tank after checking float bowl. Tire pressure, brake caliper moving to apply and release, and check the final drive gearbox. An oil change might be a good thing too. Most use 10W40 Rotella or RpmDelo, or Supertech all diesel rated. About 700cc should get it on the stick. Check level when on two wheels, not on the center stand. Make sure the throttle cable works and RETRACTS when you let it go, you don't want full throttle when you need to slow down.
tom

[daniellebreann]

Thanks guys 🙂💋