Q: Why Tomos Targa would not start in 96 deg heat

alan /

Jun 28, 2002 07:57PM

Thoughts on the following:

Yesterday it was 96 degrees here. Woke up, went outside, tried to start the moped. Would not start. It had run just fine the previous night. Tried 15-20 times, nothing. Came back a few hours later (weather still very very hot), tried again, many times. Nada. Assumed I had flooded it, so let it sit. Never ahd had this problem before--always started with choke after 2-3 kicks.

Last night, the weather cooled off considerably. Went outside in am--vroom. Started just as it had in the past.

Wondering if a) this phenomenon was weather related (seems plausible), and if so, why--something to do with heating up the plug and changing the gap? A hypothesis from a novice. Any ideas about how to remedy this in the future hot days of summer?

Thanks.

Re: Q: Why Tomos Targa would not start in 96 deg h

flannelman /

Jun 28, 2002 08:08PM

it could have be vapor locked

i had the same problem when i was driving my ped on a hot day

let me resay that tryed to drive it on a hot day

Re: Q: Why Tomos Targa would not start in 96 deg h

alan /

Jun 28, 2002 08:17PM

What does "vapor locked" mean? Thanks

Re: Q: Why Tomos Targa would not start in 96 deg h

Mope Head /

Jun 28, 2002 08:20PM

I used to have a Dodge that would vapor lock in the late spring / early summer. I was told by a mechanic that some brands of gasoline have a "winter" mix and a "summer" mix. Has to do with a change in the volitility of the fuel due to seasonal temperature change. How true all of this is, I don't know. I do know that I started keeping up with where I bought my gas and when I was having trouble and I narrowed it down to Texaco. I stopped using Texaco gasoline during the transitional months of spring and fall and never had any more trouble.

Re: Q: Why Tomos Targa would not start in 96 deg h

Ron Brown /

Jun 29, 2002 11:00AM

Alan,

Even with the ped in direct sunlight, vapor lock is unlikely. Engine heat is the source for this problem.

The most likely reason is a too rich mixture for the temperature.

Buy a new spark plug, then next time it happens, change the plug and start it without the choke.

Ron

Re: Q: Why Tomos Targa would not start in 96 deg h

Brian /

Jun 29, 2002 02:53PM

your not gonna get vapor lock from 96 degree weather, your engine has to be overheating somewhat to get vapor lock.

Two strokes and heat

Fred /

Jun 29, 2002 04:37PM

Yes... it has nothing to do with 'vapor lock'.

(nor spark plug gap change from the heat)

Its a 'fuel to air' ratio problem... (too much fuel to the air).

You shouldn't use any choke in hot weather... and... did you try opening the throttle ?.. (let more air in)

Unless the ped is jetted wrong (or worn out with low compression) ... it will start in hot weather.

I can ride my PA 30 miles in 90 degree heat.. let it sit for 5 minutes .. (which makes the carb even hotter)... and it fires off with a 3 step push... just like when cool.

alan.. if there is an airbox lid (leading to the carb) you can remove during the heat of summer... do that... and put it back on when the weather cools off.

Re: Q: Why Tomos Targa would not start in 96 deg h

walty13 /

Jun 30, 2002 12:36AM

dont choke,this happens to me and some of my friends wit mopeds,they all think im God when i turn the choke off and it starts right up haha,try it

MOPED ARMY

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