Removing/stripping my MA18BS5 (help required!)

[señorblanco]

Absolute beginner here - This morning I was removing my carb to clean it for the first time, but got as far as removing the air filter and stuck at removing the throttle cable. I was following the video here - https://lambrettista.net/2013/12/22/lam ... ld-videos/ - which is very good but doesn't go into too much detail with the instructions (I need it explaining like I'm 5). I took a couple of photos - the first is of the throttle cable itself - I can't see how it's supposed to come free at the far right side as circled:



The video says if you manually push in the throttle lever it frees up the cable/nipple and you can remove it? There doesn't appear to be any way to free it. Maybe it's too filthy to be obvious..

In general, does the carb look in good need of a clean from its exterior?



Remember, chaps, absolute beginner here, so if I've said anything STUPID, please forgive me

[HxPaul]

The throttle lever has been crushed with a pair of pliers to stop the cable from popping out of the slot.Just use a flat screwdriver and open the slot a little to let the cable come out.

[señorblanco]

The throttle lever has been crushed with a pair of pliers to stop the cable from popping out of the slot.Just use a flat screwdriver and open the slot a little to let the cable come out.

And it's as simple as that! Cheers, Paul. The first thing I read about carburettors is how fragile they are - I didn't want to force anything without getting help first. Appreciated.

[señorblanco]

I've got as far as removing the carburettor (it's an MA18BS5) from my series 2 Li and have stripped it down as far as I think possible. I've been studying the diagram here: http://www.scooterrestorations.com/images/Sec6_carburettor_series_1_2.asp to try and identify everything I see and have become confused as to the jets/atomizer - the only removable parts I see from this area are below:



Are the main/pilot jets built in to the atomizer? Is the atomizer itself a jet? Sorry this is entry-level stuff, but that's where I am! Cheers.

[Steve J]

Main jet screws into the base of the atomiser, and the pilot jet is visible when the atomiser is removed from the carb. It sits at about 45 degrees to the vertical, and you'll need a small electrical screwdriver to remove it.

[señorblanco]

Main jet screws into the base of the atomiser, and the pilot jet is visible when the atomiser is removed from the carb. It sits at about 45 degrees to the vertical, and you'll need a small electrical screwdriver to remove it.

Thanks very much, Steve. Found the little thing. This leaves me with one more question (for now) - Here's what I've extracted so far, leaving me still unsure about the main jet - number 24 on the diagram - It, like you said, looks like it should screw into the atomizer.



Here is my atomizer:



It looks like something should screw right out of there but nothing's coming and I don't want to force anything. I did found that if you click the link to buy this part on that website, it says it's for the TV 175 series 2 - is this my answer? Was this built into the atomizer on the Li 125 series 2? Cheers.

[steve t]

Hold the hexagon of the atomiser in a vice or spanner , get a decent flat blade screw driver and undo the jet it should undo fairly easy

[Steve J]

Hold the hexagon of the atomiser in a vice or spanner , get a decent flat blade screw driver and undo the jet it should undo fairly easy

+1 to that, someone's probably overtightened it in the past! Atomiser should be stamped 260B, if my memory is correct - spares are available from SR, amongst others.

[señorblanco]

Steves - advice followed and it seems to be absolutely and completely stuck fast! I'll keep trying but in the meantime I've ordered the parts and can always keep the awkward one(s) as spares. Bloody hand hurts from trying. Cheers, fellas.

[steve t]

Try dropping it in some boiling water first then try to undo might just need a touch of expansion

[Phil D]

A good tip .
Try a screwdriver that takes a spanner on the shaft or
try a 3/8 ratchet with a screwdriver bit or

you can get a lot more purchase from using force at right angle to the part your trying to undo
also make sure you use the correct size flat blade so it grips nice and tight and doesnt damage the brass it looks like its starting to show signs already.
good luck Phil.

[Warkton Tornado No.1]

....or try & hold the atomiser across flats in the soft jaws of a vice & use one of these, but don't use a hammer on it. You get a lot of 'purchase' with these even by hand:

Impact driver.JPG

[Phil D]

Bloody hell WT your getting the big guns out early

[Steve J]

Impact driver (even without the hammer) to get a 5mm thread brass main jet out of a brass atomiser? Time to ditch the pair and replace, IMHO....

[Warkton Tornado No.1]

Post by Phil D » Wed Jan 04, 2017 11:03 pm

Bloody hell WT your getting the big guns out early

Ha! You don't have to use a hammer on them as just by pressing hard, the 'bit' is less likely to slip, but also rotates in whichever direction it is set to turn. The emphasis has to be on ensuring that the 'bit' is a tight fit in the slot.

I've had one for years & the original slotted screws in the drive side oil seal plate usually give in without damaging anything.

I also have a Milwaukee 18 volt 1/2" drive impact driver for more serious stuff that would break your arm...

[señorblanco]

Little update. I managed to strip it all down, ordered a few new parts - new float as the old one had liquid inside it, new main jet/atomiser (old 'uns still stuck together ) and a new filter cover/screw. Cleaned it up with carb cleaner and a toothbrush, made as sure as possible all jets were clear, etc. Put it back on just as it was as it came off (fuel pipe angle, etc) and now she starts first kick but quickly dies when you give it some healthy throttle. I've managed to ride down the drive and as I try to change into 2nd...death. I've checked the pilot jet screw adjuster and tried turning it 1/4 turn at a time but to no avail.

The reason I decided to clean the carb in the first place was the scoot was difficult to start once I'd ridden a few miles, and she was also struggling at lights, occasionally stalling. I also noticed on my last ride I had difficulty changing into first gear as it went very stiff.

I think I may have reached the point of getting it looked at by someone who knows what they're doing.

[Warkton Tornado No.1]

If your carb was as bad as you've discovered, the chances are that your tap/filter may be bunged up.

You could do worse than check the flow. It may be all that is wrong...

[señorblanco]

If your carb was as bad as you've discovered, the chances are that your tap/filter may be bunged up.

You could do worse than check the flow. It may be all that is wrong...

Is the filter hidden somewhere inside here? I'll have time to tackle this tomorrow - already had a read of this and a few other things - http://www.scooterhelp.com/genmaintain/ ... l.tap.html

[rossclark]

The filter pokes up into the tank. Check the flow from the tank before you take the tap out.

[señorblanco]

Thanks for your help