MZ Skorp - Engine doesn't start

[WaiNYC]

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.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

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

[Windmill]

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.

[WaiNYC]

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?

[WaiNYC]

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.

[Windmill]

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.

[Windmill]

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

[lavrentyuk]

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

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

[WaiNYC]

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.

[WaiNYC]

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.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

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)

[GordonH]

New spark plug sometimes does wonders.

[WaiNYC]

New spark plug sometimes does wonders.

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