Scooter Won't Start After Sitting - How I fixed mine 

Never have I seen someone so amazingly clueless yet you can't help but like the guy and relate kinda... everyone has to start somewhere. You keep doing what works sir!! Good for you!

Guy: This doesn't have an intake on the bike Me: continues to watch it till the end 😂😂😂 You're too funny and honest

> "It wouldn't start, let me show you how I fixed it." > goes over a bunch of things that didn't fix it

A short spray of starting fluid into those tiny intake holes under your seat has been my savior. Keep a can handy. No disassemble needed. LOL Keep scootin!

Good job buddy ! I just sept 2 long days, and a few bucks later trying to get my kemco scooter running. Alas, i got it started late this afternoon. Bottom line, starter fluid right into where the spark plug goes. It sat all winter in my garage, (the cover over it, plus a trickle charge on it ). I just had to give it a major blast of starting fluid. Plus, i did put new gas in the tank. It had "stable fliud in the tank for storage". Youre a very plesant fellow my lad. Safe riding to you, and your viewers ! 😊

This video is hands down the funniest and best “scooter wont start” video ive seen. Ive watched them all. Im gonna go put gas on the spark plug now.

A very honest video with a positive outcome. I love the fact that you're not worried about the perception and comments of others, or you would have edited or reshot the video. Thanks for taking us along your troubleshooting Journey! 4:19 the BEST.

I'm in my mid 50's. I just ordered a 50cc scooter and have been watching tons of videos about issues and fixes. I SO Relate! It sucks having senior moments! Love that I don't know ow sh*t, but neither do you... Thank you. I'm hoping mine gets here soon.

Hi-five to this sweet man’s dear, patient wife. She is probably a saint!

Man...this is the best scooter video I have watched. I am having so many different issues with my scooter....I needed to watch this. Didn't help me fix my scooter but sure lightened my mood about it.....Great stuff man

You're refreshingly normal and human.

How very funny. Loved you trying to figure out how to use the spark plug puller that comes with every scooter. Your honesty is wonderful. 👍👍👍

Oh my God - out of all the videos I've seen about scooter repair...this has been the most helpful. My Buddy won't start. In fact it sounds exactly like your Buddy & since I can't afford a mechanic I'm gonna try your repair. Thank you for posting this - you made me smile.

Thanks for the video. One good suggestion below is to choke manually by covering the air intake with your hand. On some scooters you may have to open or remove the air filter box. Other option is to use quick-start spray can which works every time. Chances are this is what every mechanics do. Just spray a little amount through the air intake then try to start. Up to 2 to 3 times no more. You can purchase quick-start in any automotive stores. Safe riding.

God I am crying with laughter. This is absolutely incredible.

This is the most damn relatable troubleshooting video I've ever seen. Love it!

Best fucking video I've seen!! I'm kinda happy now that my scooter won't start it else I wouldn't have stumbled across this gem!! Thank you Chris, you're a regular schmuck just like me haha.

Blowing into the petrol tank idea works for different engines . First time I tried it a long time ago on a D4 Caterpiller crawler tractor .It had a pilot motor to start the main diesel . The carby dries out over time & gravity just does not work every time , but blowing into the tank puts a slight positive pressure in enough to force some petrol through . As one old garage mechanic told me ,it`s either spark problem or fuel . No computers those days . To check the spark remove the plug ,leave it connected but sitting earthed on the head . It needs a bit of darkness to see the spark (Do not hold on , just rest it on the side of the hole ) Turn the ignition on & turn the motor over . If there`s a nice blue spark & some petrol on the plug & in the carby it should go . One other thing is modern fuels do not keep well & can gum up a carby ,even stuff it completely . If it`s a computer problem disconnect it with a hammer !

Honest man! Say what he doesn't know.. almost everything to know on how to fix a bike. Anyway watched the whole thing. Enjoyable & Thank yiu

I’m getting bobs burgers vibes from you if bob was an optimist and rocked a scooter. Thank you for your time and effort -your diligent investigation and uncensored reporting contribute favorably to the small engine repair community

Hi I'm the guy who made the video, SCOOTER WON'T START TRY THIS TRICK". I like your video, don't worry about the little flakes in the gas tank, there is a filter in the tank and a fuel filter in the gas line. If you can get a helper to blow long and hard into the tank while your trying to start it.. This should force fuel through onto the spark plug and hopefully save you a lot of trouble. Happy Scooting, From England

Dude, I watched this because you seem about as knowledgeable as me. But when you put the spark plug back in I was like, Hey, you gotta plug it into the rubber thingy! I say this, but I while I think I found my spark plug, I'm having trouble getting the rubber thingy off. Gearhead newbs unite.

Hi Chris, great minds think alike me thinks. I'm pretty much over overawed by a lot of the specialists here on You Tube. So good to see someone I can relate to endeavouring to self fix their mechanical issues. I will take a few things away from you and see if I manage to get mine going. Thank you.

This video started my day and made my day, Now I'm feeling like a full pro mechanic lol.

Good job. Just an FYI. Mis thread= cross threading. The gas on Spark plug is same as starter fluid except fuel evaporates faster. That's why a Lil spray of starter fluid is used. The tool you used is a Spark plu universal tool. Intake is where the air filter is. Keep doing and learning. Never stop.

You appear to be a great guy. Thanks for trying so hard. You are probably very intelligent in other aspects. I just wish we lived closer would love to teach you as you would make a great student. Keep trying things that is how you become an expert.

Hahaha from Sweden! Thanks for that, longest video ever and non the wiser but thanks from my heart.

He is hilarious and kept it real... I bet this would be most of us doing our best to figure it out. Thanks for the good laugh... hey you guys reading this... it was funny and things he showed are for the amateur like most of us on here just looking to fix things ... however, mission accomplished 👍👍

I just bought a brand new scooter - zero miles on it & by 56 miles it isn’t wanting to start. I’ll try this. Thanks!

Thanks for keeping it real. I knew nothing about scooters at first. I just got another one in April 2021. (2nd one.) I also had things not working. Watching RU-vid helps. I was the same way. I know scooters now.

This is funny. Glad to see people not afraid to just be themselves and roll with it. Great job.

This just made me laugh out loud to where I woke up my fam. This is so my life! Love that u recorded and shared!! Im doing mine tomorrow. Maybe ill record it for others to enjoy.

Bravo on the video and you may be not a mechanic however, you tried, and that is impressive. I’ve been a mechanic for the last 30 years and I’m quite sure I could do your job!

Hahaha. He has absolutely no idea what he’s doing but he uses his dad super powers and makes it work!

“ i think this scooter doesn’t have a inlet”, I don’t think so too. The air just spawns in

Entertained me more than all them. His ignorance is so innocent. 😇..... I love it!! Jajahaha.. Keep them coming... Love it

I went through the comments to see if mine was repeated and didn't see any, but there were a lot of comments. 1- usernamemykel sounds to be on the right path - it sounds like your bike might be running either rich or lean. 2 - there is an electronic choke on top of the carburetor. This makes adjustments when the weather is cold. The problem is that the scooter has a heck of a time starting when it is cold out. Try using the kick starter if it happens again. I had to on a couple of days when the weather gets below the 50s. 3 - there is a 2 yr warranty on your scooter that is from Genuine scooter company. 4 - NEVER put your spark plug into your gas tank (especially if it is dirty). :) Never put anything into your gas tank other than gas and other fuel additives (stabilizers work great if your scooter will be sitting around unused for more than a day or two - this stops the gas from fouling). 5 - that spark plug looks like it is definitely dirty. I would give it a thorough cleaning using carburetor cleaner and a rag. I wouldn't mess with a wire brush on it. Another option is to get a new plug. However that will fix the symptom, not the disease (so to speak). Also a new scooter should not have a plug that looks that dirty. I suspect that there is definitely something going on with your air/gas/oil mixture. All said, I would definitely have the mechanic, at the place that sold it to you, check it out. It should be due for a check in by now anyway. Good luck and happy scooting.

Chris, you are one funny dude. Really enjoyed the video, completely useless but watching you trying to start the bike without the spark plug “thingy” attached was the best

I am not laughing at you but with you. This was a Very entertaining video. Really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting. 😂😊

It is unnecessary to remove the spark plug to dip in gasoline for firing up. Your scooter is carburetor one. The fuel in the carburetor tends to evaporate if you don't ride it for a couple days. All you need is to twist the accelerator handle twice to add fuel to "wet" the combustion chamber in order to fire up.(not too wet) This is the prevalent trick of carburetor scooter owners in Taiwan with 20 million scooters.

This video is by far the best video i ever seen 😆

WOW Chris, this video is a HOOT :-)!! Both entertaining AND informative for people with absolutely NO mechanical (for gas powered engines) aptitude! The are TWO big takeaways from this video. 1) NOT to be afraid to attempt to try new (SIMPLE) things. You can save yourself a lot of money, not to mention learn a lot. 2) Something NOT expressed enough is to make sure when working on or around an open fuel source, ALWAYS make sure there's ABSOLUTELY NO power going to your ignition source, or your your little self help project could blow up in your face! :-o Overall, pretty damn AWESOME vid!

Hello! I have a Buddy 50 cc scooter. It runs great except for sometimes it hesitates a little in the sense that it will turn off at strange times when I am going lower speeds or it will not turn on.. In order to get it to turn on I carry a little screw driver and carb cleaner and I will take off the air filter cover and spray the intake with carb cleaner and put it back on. Then I go to start and it starts VERY good. It was just brought to a shop who charge like $200+ for a carburetor cleaning and spark plug replacement. The shop is called Boca Scooters… I am NOT convinced that they did honest work but I don’t know know for sure. I would like to have it turn on normally. (without having to have to spray the carb cleaner every time) I believe that I need to work on the carburetor again or get replaced altogether OR get a valve adjustment. I would like to bring it to a different shop but I don’t know really where to start. Gas is clean, premium used (50CC 2018 Buddy) Carb JUST got cleaned but NOT positive they did honest work…….. Spark plug all new. Where should I start from here?

Thank you so so so much. You say you're a novice but I followed your instructions and just added one more thing myself meaning I actually had to put gas in a spray bottle and spray in the empty spark plug compartment for it to start

Also, that little blue pouch in the seat compartment contains your spark plug wrench!

My anxiety shot up to extreme levels as I watched this. Thank you for trying to help though! 👍 I have a 2008 new Yamaha C3 that has only 164 miles. It’s literally still new, not even a scratch on it! Long story why I never rode it. Last time I tried to start it a few years ago it had a new battery, gas, but wouldn’t start. Any ideas anyone?? Thanks!

This video is just great. It's relatable to my everyday life 😅😂 going to try this tomorrow

😂love your vid. You can pull your spark plug out and plug it back into the wire end. Find a grounding point cylinder head or bike frame, start it and watch for a spark. If it sparks when you start it it's good. Next would be gas flow🤙

I have a Scooter but I'm not getting any spark whatsoever but i sure enjoyed your video. In my time of worrying you made my laugh so i thank you.

That my friend is the funniest video I have ever seen! You fixed it and it runs!!!! Bada bing!

Awesome. Thanks for sharing and your open and honest presentation of it. Makes us other "idiots" feel like we too could do it. Truly. Thanks.

This video: "What if your puppy turned into a human and he wanted to make a RU-vid video showing you how he did something?"

This might be my problem! You’re a great problem solver! Thanks for sharing.

If the gas on the spark plug tip doesn't get it started, , try clicking your heels together 3 times. It never fails.

I have a Genuine Buddy 50 which I absolutely LOVE, to accomplish local errands and pickup a limited amount of groceries/small hardware (I attached one of those common plastic milk crates via cable ties to the optional rear luggage hardware which I had previously installed). Ok now, a few things about your video - the electronic metering device is a "multimeter", the spark plug tool you showed may have been supplied with a portable generator, the Buddy 50 has it's own spark plug tool in the blue plastic tool kit attached to the underside of the bike's seat. There are YT vids re: how to test spark plugs, and you can Google images of spark plugs which will tell you about the condition of any spark plug. You mentioned that the scooter is brand new - you ARE aware that the Genuine Buddy 50 has a two year warranty which includes roadside service, are you not? Kudos, that without any apparent knowledge of tools and how/when to use them, and apparently no training with anything electro-mechanical, you took it upon yourself to attempt to resolve the problem - you must have a wonderful wife. You fixed the problem and should be very proud of yourself. Now Google "How to adjust a motor scooter carburetor" (yours is a "Minarelli" brand, not a GY6), to take care of the problem of smoke coming out of the exhaust. You don't have to remove anything to gain access to the idle adjustment screw. Enjoyed your humbleness and your ability to recognize brain farts for what they are (at 73, I've had my share). BTW, I've been riding a newly purchased 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS KRT Edition - It's a "sport" motorcycle, and nobody expects to see a 73 year old (happy) face when I remove my helmet, because, after all, we're supposedly "too old" to enjoy a "crotch rocket"! Thanks again for the very refreshing video.

Necessity is the mother of invention.....some good improvisation here. Love the perseverance even with the gaps in knowledge. I was willing it to start just because of your effort. Also try ''My hot wife's scooter won't start''. Bet that would get some views.

this is by far the best video i have ever seen on youtube . I love how you just go for it even if you dont knw what youre doing. Love the honesty and humor.

I can't wait to get home from work today and try this!

So 18 minutes to see if MAYBE my plug is dirty lol bless your heart

Funny, but this is the best advice I've gotten on RU-vid to start my scooter - thank you!!! :)

Lmfao, this video had me cracking up. 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ my scooter won’t start. It’s making no noise though. I’m going to try your tricks. Thanks for the vid.

Your video made my day. Thank you very much.🖤🤗

Never put anything in the gas tank other then the fuel. You drop items in you will have more problems. Also try removing air filter and give it a few shots of stater fluid.

Good entertainment! I had a good chuckle! Something I would do. Glad it finally started. yes, it helped! Thanks.

Fantastic video. I chuckled throughout.

I've had some problems with ignition on my old Yamaha 1983 scooter. Finally I realized what was happening. There's an engine cutoff switch on the kickstand. Now some people say, your switch is not opening properly when you pull the kickstand up. However if that was true then why was it that when I left the charged up bike on the kickstand for a few days, the battery would lose its charge? So my answer to this was that when you deploy the kickstand, the cutoff switch is compressed, but over years of metal wear or wear to the switch button itself, that switch contact becomes less effective and starts to wear out. Then the switch is not properly depressed all the way when the bike is left for a few days leaning on its kickstand !! Then, I think what happens is that the bike is leaking electricity round the cutoff switch, discharging into the bike ground (the rest of the bike). Over a few days, you've run your battery down! Just now after charging my bike I started it up very easily, so I am pretty sure the problem is not that the switch doesn't open properly when I pull the kickstand up. (The switch seems to pop open as it's supposed to.) The real test will be to see if the charge holds for a few days of nonuse, in the new situation in which I've stuck a copper penny on top of that switch button on the kickstand base, then deploying the kickstand. That copper penny just adds pressure to the switch where the kickstand rotates to depress the switch. So now, the switch will remain depressed fully and will completely stop that circuit from leaking electricity to ground. So, if my theory is correct, in a few days, the bike should still be holding the charge on the battery properly. If I'm wrong, then the battery will have lost its charge again after a day or two. If that happens it would suggest I'm way off base and the problem is elsewhere. However I think I'm right. The way it started up this a.m. after having been left with the copper penny on that switch overnight, was perfect. It just immediately started, no problem. I think this is the solution for kickstand cutoff switch problems. Not sure how to do it without buying a new cutoff switch but I'll think of something easy. I can just stop using the kickstand entirely, only use the center stand when leaving it overnight. That's probably the best way to deal with it. I've cussed at it long enough, I sure hope I've got the answer now. I don't want to stick any repair money into this thing. It is a good bike for short errands and I really like it.

Loved this video it was funny but your honest you did good you will learn if it's 2 cycle sometimes carbon will build up finding out of the muffler pull muffler off chip the little hole out make sure piston is down and not scrape it be careful it will run after that it's got to get air

Dude great stuff. This is exactly what it feels like working on your vehicle. The guys taking 17 seconds to replace parts are just not what you should expect. Gonna try this trick tm, wish me luck

Need more videos from this guy 😂😂😂

This is so funny! Good job fixing your wife's scooter!

This is hurting my mechanic head

That isn't a spark plug tool, its a plumbers socket for shower valves. It worked pretty good for a spark plug though! Funny video, glad you fixed it!

Putting gas on the plug is not what fixed it the spark plug boot it’s self was not making a good connection when you removed the plug and put everything back together and reinstalled the boot you made it possible for the spark plug boot to make a tighter connection to the plug, your engine is a 2 stroke which means it requires 2 stroke oil to be put in its own tank that is located next to the fuel tank there probably is a low oil light on you control panel where the speedometer is it will come on when it’s low that tell you when it needs to be filled back up your dealer will be happy to help you out in that department for the correct 2 stroke oil to use as per factory recommendation, they are very good scooters and very dependable if maintained properly you have a great day

Hilarious. That`s classic. You are also kind of useless. But you are not afraid of trying or looking like a "noob". I enjoyed this. Thanks.Good effoert.

No worries I watched a 30 year experience mechanic fuck around almost all day with trailer lights that didn’t work.....it was a fuse ...the first place you would normally start your eliminations... it happens to the best of us

Nice video I will make a note of it and put your idea into my notes in case I happen to run into this type of problem. Great video.

I would bet a fairly large amount of money that the reason why it wouldn't start the first time was because one of the various kill switches was set to "off." I also feel confident in saying that there is zero chance that the drop of gasoline did anything to help. While you were at it, you could have very easily checked the plug "for spark," and RU-vid videos abound that show how to do that.

Hey i hv a scooter made by the same co. The prob w/ starting it with the break and starter button is if you dont ride it that much, the gas even when you use 92 octaine which is what u hv to use on the scooters, the gas dries up and u get probs. I hv had a few probs myself. U shld hv tried the kick start rite after, thats what its for and i guarentee it wld hv started rite up. By if ur wife uses it like once a week or 2x a month, then goto a var store or scooter shop and buy gas aditive. Cause scooters arent like cars, a car u can use shyt gas and it will run but crappy. Scooters even if u use great gas vut dont drive them everyday, then u will get starting probs. Also if u live up north, im from fla. A cold start scooter tks a few tries to start. When a scooter is cold winter cold it will always tk a few tries even if u ride it everday. Also never put gas on a spark plug, plugs spark and can ignite and u can blow up your scooter. Well i hope i helped u a bit with some scooter knowledge. Tk care Barry S #BSIPP/RU-vid

Nice video! You don't look old by the way, you look like you're in your prime! :)

I will try this. I have a 2009 Kymco Sting 50 and it looks identical to this one.

Lol it does suck to get old ....appreciate your honesty on your experience FTW

I enjoyed the video, thank you. Sometimes easy solutions are the best

You are the most tremendously successful mechanic to be so totally ignorant of your product. Watched till the end. Couldn’t abort it. Loved your candor. Do you work for the government?

Holy cow. Soon as the wife saw that, she dipping a little gas on there, and she started right up. She said thank you.

I'm going to ask this dude to fix my lawnmower I will give him a torch and a pair of tweezers.

You're a very lovable dufus! Now I've got to try the "gasoline on the spark plug trick".

You’re an absolute legend

The spark plug is black, which means that the gasoline/air mixture is too rich. In other words, too much gasoline/too little air. A spark plug must be mocha brown in color then you have the correct mixing ratio.

POV: You watch me pretend I don’t know how engine work

nice video with spark plug and gas suggestions

Please keep them coming great video

thanks this is great and honest. I have a new one that won't start either so gives me some ideas!

That's awesome you got it going! Good for you!

I see you have lived in the concrete jungle all your life, Great vid u got it

Asset you did a good job for that because I got the same problem with this brand new one zero mileage and how they had it five days so hey I'm not a mechanic either so that I don't know nothing about nothing so you help me out I'm going to try that myself

This shit made me laugh 😂 you didn't really know what you were doing but you followed through and got the job done I'll give you credit you're trying 💪

That tool is to remove a faucet to replace the rubber seal to stop leaks on a tub./shower.

Hilarious. Awesome job fixing the bike without knowing much about it.

13: 37 just killed me. Lol 😂😂😂 That is so funny! Thanks for Sharing

Nice job seeing as your new to mechanics just a tip for the future google starter spray 😉