MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

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MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby WaiNYC » Sat Nov 04, 2017 3:41 pm

My Skorp Sport had been in storage for about 6 months (I got an airhead and have been neglecting the MZ...) When I tried to start it a month ago, it wouldn't and I thought something was wrong either with the fuel line or the carb.

Yesterday, I finally had time to check it out. And after only cranking the engine a couple of times, it started right away without fuss. I thought to myself: Mysterious, but I'd take that. I let the engine run for quite a bit and that was that.

Today, I thought I'd take it out for a ride. And yes, you guessed it... The engine mysteriously wouldn't start, The engine turns, but it just won't start, not matter how much I try.

I couldn't figure out what the difference was between the two days. Before I delve into checking it out, any ideas what might be the problem?

Thanks for the help.

Wai

Ps. I am still a newbie with bike tech, despite having brought the MZ back to life two years ago: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8119 because I am still inexperienced, I wanna see what are the most probable causes before getting my hands dirty.
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby DAVID THOMPSON » Sat Nov 04, 2017 4:05 pm

stale gas
Other than having a wild crazy owner ... a bikes worst enemy is setting

these 660 bikes have a filter in the carb behind the float needle in side the float bowl
more 4 letter words used getting it cleaned
at least you have some time to work on it before good weather
dave
Dave 2002 MZ RT125+1995 Saxon Tour(500cc)
1997 MZ 660 Traveller+6/13/09 WV USA
"IN the end times the IDIOTS will be in charge
of everything"
"I like the road less traveled if it's PAVED!"
wd8cyv at yahoo dot com
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby Windmill » Sat Nov 04, 2017 4:11 pm

Also prone to float needle sticking, a little tap on the side of the float chamber usually cures that. Whenever I start mine after periods of laying up I always drain the float chamber via the drain screw, which has the benefit of dropping the float and getting rid of any water and unwanted stuff in there.
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby WaiNYC » Sat Nov 04, 2017 4:19 pm

Windmill wrote:Whenever I start mine after periods of laying up I always drain the float chamber via the drain screw, which has the benefit of dropping the float and getting rid of any water and unwanted stuff in there.


Let me try this first... Is it necessary to remove the tank to drain the float chamber?
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby WaiNYC » Sat Nov 04, 2017 4:21 pm

DAVID THOMPSON wrote:stale gas
Other than having a wild crazy owner ... a bikes worst enemy is setting

these 660 bikes have a filter in the carb behind the float needle in side the float bowl
more 4 letter words used getting it cleaned
at least you have some time to work on it before good weather
dave


Hi Dave... Been a while. Hope all is well with you.

I thought about stale gas. But then how do we explain the engine starting yesterday? I had let it run for 10 /15 minutes and thought that would cycle out the stale gas that'd been in the carb... no?

thanks always.
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby Windmill » Sat Nov 04, 2017 4:25 pm

No you can access the drain screw without removing anything. About 2" below the fuel tap, a phillips screw in the lower side of the float chamber.
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby Windmill » Sat Nov 04, 2017 4:29 pm

Will try to get photo tomorrow if you cant find it. I normally leave fuel switched off, open the drain screw and fuel will exit near the swinging arm pivot via the drain pipe. Then I switch fuel on which flushes the bowl out . good luck
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby lavrentyuk » Sat Nov 04, 2017 4:46 pm

Definitely drain the petrol, at a minimum from the float bowl.

I just hope the ethanol hasn't grown nasty stuff in there.
Richard Marshall
Wales, U.K.
MuZ Skorpion Tour, ETZ 300 or two (one with a sidecar - really insane mode of transport), a couple of TS125s, ETZ 125, BMW R100S and an Enfield Interceptor for daily use.
(some of them work too).
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby WaiNYC » Sat Nov 04, 2017 5:05 pm

Windmill wrote:Will try to get photo tomorrow if you cant find it. I normally leave fuel switched off, open the drain screw and fuel will exit near the swinging arm pivot via the drain pipe. Then I switch fuel on which flushes the bowl out . good luck


Found it and drain the bowl. Filled, and drained again. But the engine still wouldn't start.

Thank for this tips though. I will use it from now on.
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby WaiNYC » Sat Nov 04, 2017 5:07 pm

lavrentyuk wrote:Definitely drain the petrol, at a minimum from the float bowl.

I just hope the ethanol hasn't grown nasty stuff in there.


Shouldn't. It's been only 6 months and I had put fuel stabilizer before the storage.
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby DAVID THOMPSON » Sat Nov 04, 2017 6:53 pm

ethanol free fuel is always a good idea before an extended parking

Dave

need to start the traveller and the rt125 they have both been down for almost 2 years as i have been
on an extended break from riding due to not feeling well (no energy)
Dave 2002 MZ RT125+1995 Saxon Tour(500cc)
1997 MZ 660 Traveller+6/13/09 WV USA
"IN the end times the IDIOTS will be in charge
of everything"
"I like the road less traveled if it's PAVED!"
wd8cyv at yahoo dot com
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby GordonH » Sun Nov 05, 2017 1:29 pm

New spark plug sometimes does wonders.
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Re: MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

Postby WaiNYC » Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:02 pm

GordonH wrote:New spark plug sometimes does wonders.


Exactly right. It was the spark plug. Thank you Gordon.
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