Taotao Hellcat 125 Running issue (totally lost on this)

[superduder]

Okay, recently bought a (Hellcat 125) grom clone,
Trying to expand from the CT70 platform bikes.
And was told by the p.o. that it had an issue after it warmed up it would quit,
And wouldn't start again until completely cooled down,
sometimes until the next day.

Well I had it for about a week before I experienced it,
It will run and ride fine sometimes for an hour or so and then cuts off,
Like it runs out of gas, but has a full tank.
The only thing I've found is a connection with a resistor plugged into it,
(1 Purple wire and 1 white with red stripe)
I think it's where the kickstand safety was removed or something.
Other than that everything seems cool,
The bike is a bit twitchy for me, handling wise (higher center of gravity)
So I posted it, But now, If I sold it I'd want the problem fixed before hand.
Any help is greatly appreciated,
Thanks in advance,
J

[ripcuda]

My HC did not come with a kickstand safety switch.
When it dies, is it a sudden turn off like someone flipped the run switch off (maybe spark related)?
Or does it slowly start running worse than stall (maybe fuel related)?

[superduder]

More of a "flipped a switch" kind of thing.
Maybe it struck me as fuel because if I'm in motion riding when it happens,
it acts like engine braking.
I would think CDI, but don't those tend to go out all at once?
Like either work or don't work?

Thanks again.

[flhellcat]

Check for good flowing fuel. On mine the fuel line makes a 180 out of the tank and with the low quality tubing was somewhat kinked. And check tank vent hose for same.

[superduder]

Okay, just got the plastics back on.
The fuel lines are flowing good, Drain screw on the carb is flowing good,
I CAN apparently flood it out (done on purpose) so are we thinking CDI now?
I could wait for it to screw up again and check for spark,
but even that would only show that it could be the CDI, Coil, lead, plug... stator..!?
Points, or Magneto ignition seems kinda awesome right now, really.
Foley Belsaw has failed me again. lol

Thanks for coming on the adventure,
J

[Nicthegreat420]

Has this been resolved ??!!

[superduder]

Not in the slightest,
Very busy day tomorrow and probably Monday too.
So maybe in a week or so I can get it sorted out.
J

[tophattitus]

when it shuts off, does it start right back up again?

[superduder]

Nope, sometimes it has to sit overnight before it will restart.
But then does the usual... Run great for up to 90min then suddenly dies.

[tophattitus]

well if fuel is flowing and it seems to be running fine otherwise, sounds to me like a defective cdi, maybe an overheating issue. if you have a lazer thermometer id check the temp and see how hot it gets.

[flhellcat]

I have 2 Hellcats and both had running issues from the factory. Here are some items I had to fix.


Valve lash
Stator connector pins not seated causing intermittent spark.

Crankcase breather connection at airbox not drilled. Oil piping hot.

Fuel lines kinked as previously mentioned.


I would go after assembly screw ups first, then start testing/replacing components.

[superduder]

Okay, so check the stator pins, and temp of the cdi...
I hadn't even thought about valve lash, It does have 850 mi on the clock,
Maybe about time for a check/adjustment.
Thanks for the advice, looks like a busy afternoon tomorrow.
J

[RedCrowRides]

My guess would be valve lash as well - what it sounds like is your valves are too tight

and once the bike runs an hour and gets hot they expand even more and so it quits ,these bikes run really lean from the Factory so tight valves can easily exacerbate that into a "wont run " situation.



My other suggestion would be possible fuel tank contamination from the factory , i found a significant amount of metal shavings in my buds tank, he could ride around until the trash finally settled on and blocked the fuel petcock outlet , it would quit then eventually the fuel would drip past and catch up flow and it would start again.


We pulled the tank , flushed it out and blew it out with compressed air , problem solved. Other than that the CDI boxes on these are weak, that would be my 3rd guess.


1.Set valves.
2.Fuel tank cleaning, incl inspecting lines for kinks,esp the tank line where it attaches to tank near front edge of the seat .
3. Replace the CDI box, they are only 10 - 15 bucks .


One last thought, make sure your spark plug cap is firmly seated on both plug and coil ends- the rubber on the stock wire is terrible and loses elasticity and it isnt uncommon for them to not really be seated as a result and are just sort of sitting on
the plug or coil which can cause erratic ignition / fuel starvation like symptoms. I found this out "the hard way ".


Good luck and keep us posted.

[superduder]

Okay adjusted the valves and that seemed to fix it...
But I rode it to refill the gas and got flagged down and offered $900 for it so...


It's his problem now.
Thanks so much for all the help, I really think the valve adjustment fixed it though.
Thanks again,
J

[Deckard_Cain]

Originally Posted by superduder

Okay adjusted the valves and that seemed to fix it...
But I rode it to refill the gas and got flagged down and offered $900 for it so...


It's his problem now.
Thanks so much for all the help, I really think the valve adjustment fixed it though.
Thanks again,
J

And such an easy fix too...guy before you lost out missing this critical maintenance step, you fixed it awesome, hopefully made some money!