Major problem with Suzuki SJ50QT

MA573R0FWAR · Post by **MA573R0FWAR** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 10:35 pm

Hi all.

I have been having problems with my Suzuki SJ50QT.

While riding, all can be well, then all of a sudden, my speed starts dropping rapidly as the engine is straining hard. I think the best way to discribe it is its as if someone has grabed the crank and held it tightly, slowing the engine right down. This has happened 3 times now. The first two times however, the engine has completely stalled (started right back up again). But this time (today), the engine didnt stall and was still barely running when the scooter had stopped. It wasnt running rough, it just sounded like it was under alot of stress, like a groaning sound. After pinning back the throttle, it took off again and seemed to run fine. It has done this twice in the last 1000km

What could be the problem here? I think the problem is definately mechanical. Im pretty sure its not fuel or ignition related because like i said, the engine today was under alot of strain, like something was jamming it. Could this be a transmission problem? Can bad roller weights put the engine under excessive stress? Anyone else had a similar problem?

Thanks

Nathan.

edit. I dont thrash the scooter. I ride it at the speed limit and usually accelerate smoothly. I only pinned back the throttle today to get it moving again. I always keep the oil topped right up and i use Spectro Golden Scooter 2T oil. also, about 1500km ago, i had a new piston, rings and oil pump installed as the old pump leaked and seized the engine, but the first time this problem appeared was when i was on the old piston and oil pump.

sliding_subaru · Post by **sliding_subaru** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:08 am

Have you had a look at the oil level in the back gear case?

I had one of these as my first scooter but it died due to my partners brother running it with no oil

Any chance you can let us know when it happens again?

MA573R0FWAR · Post by **MA573R0FWAR** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:35 am

how do i check the oil in the diff on the SJ50? There doesnt appear to be anyway of checking it, or draining it. Unless i have to first remove the transmission cover? Engine oil is topped right up, i never let it run low.

Im not too sure when its going to happen again and to be honest, im a little skeptical about riding it, but it seems to happen, strangly enough, almost always close to every 1000km.

Thanks for your reply

MA573R0FWAR · Post by **MA573R0FWAR** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 1:22 pm

Is there no one else that can help? Could this be a problem with the clutch, or any other part of the transmission. Another way of explaining the problem is that it felt like everything went tight all of a sudden, slowing the whole scooter right down to a stop and causing the engine to struggle.

sliding_subaru · Post by **sliding_subaru** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:39 pm

sounds a bit like a fuel cut?

MA573R0FWAR · Post by **MA573R0FWAR** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:02 pm

It felt more like the engine was physically being slowen down by something rather then a feul cut or ignition problem. I dont know, but i plan on ringing the mechanic tomorrow. This thing has been extremely unreliable right from the start. Missfiring, bogging down and dying, seized engine, blowen seal on the oil pump, randomly stalling while riding. If i still keep getting problems after the mechanic has fixed this one, ill either buy a car, or get a new scooter. But im certain that if i get a new scooter, it wont be a Suzuki SJ50QT, thats for sure.

MA573R0FWAR · Post by **MA573R0FWAR** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 7:04 pm

My old 2002 PGO Comet had 33,000km on the clock, and aside from a worn engine and a slipping clutch, it ran perfect. Ive already spent close to, or over, $1000 on repairs with this thing, and it still isnt running right, and it hasnt even cracked 9000km yet.

sliding_subaru · Post by **sliding_subaru** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:24 am

yea sounds bad!!

so it seems to tighten up?

maybe the spring on the variator is binding it up?

MA573R0FWAR · Post by **MA573R0FWAR** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:28 am

Is there a spring on the variator in this scooter? I havnt taken the transmission cover off yet. But arnt the only springs in the clutch? Maybe it could be a problem with a spring in the clutch? Im ganna have to ring the mechanic next week as i dont really have time this week. I hope they fix it properly.

sliding_subaru · Post by **sliding_subaru** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 8:58 pm

Im not too sure

See what the mechanics say about it

Sorry Im use to cars

MA573R0FWAR · Post by **MA573R0FWAR** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:05 pm

Yeah, ive gotta go into town tomorrow so if i have time i might walk around to Joe Lett Motorcycles and see what they think. They are just around the corner from where i have to go.

Thanks for your help man, appreciate it

sliding_subaru · Post by **sliding_subaru** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:07 pm

Let us know what the problem is when you find out

MA573R0FWAR · Post by **MA573R0FWAR** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:08 pm

Will do, i just hope they find the problem with it. Im sure they will eventually though.

sliding_subaru · Post by **sliding_subaru** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:14 pm

Yea what happened with mine is the stand under the bike was hitting the under side of the trans case and caused a metal flap to hit the drive belt

So every time I hit a bump it jammed up the belt causing it to bog down

I would laugh if it was the same as whats happened to your bike

MA573R0FWAR · Post by **MA573R0FWAR** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:19 pm

Just an Update on the scooter. Its not fixed. Took it to the mechanic, all he did is drain the carburettor to check for water (was none) and road it around the block a couple of times. I asked him to check the transmission, but he didnt. He simply doesnt think that would be the problem. But then how does he know, it hasnt cut out for him, he doesnt know what it feels like when it happens.

This scooter is a heap of ****. I dont care what the 5 reviews online say about it, it is the most unreliable scooter ive ever come across. And quite frankly, if i end up buying another scooter, i wont even touch the Suzuki SJ50QT's with a 10 foot pole. Junk as far as im concerned.

MA573R0FWAR · Post by **MA573R0FWAR** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 3:21 pm

Does anyone know what the variator and clutch bell bolts should be torqued to? If the mechanic wont check out parts of the transmission, ill just do it myself.

ae86guy · Post by **ae86guy** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 7:55 pm

It doesnt sound like a transmission problem is the air filter new and oiled if not then parts of it maybe breaking off and blocking up the jets in the carb after cranking the motor ova and ova the bit of filter may pass allowing it to start again untill the next piece gets in there

Also get a clear inline fuel filter and fit it to the fuel line there may be crap in the bottom of the gas tank getting into the carb causeing the same problem as above

Remove the carb strip it down clean it all out get some carby cleaner in a aerosol can and spray it throuh all the holes and jets fit a new properly oiled air filter and the fuel filter oh and a new spark plug and go from there

MA573R0FWAR · Post by **MA573R0FWAR** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:17 pm

Its definately the transmission. The problem reoccured, so i took it to the mechanic. He checked the exhaust for carbon and there was none. He said he doesnt know whats wrong with it, but he didnt even check my transmission, and i asked him to aswell. He said he took it for a long test ride and said it never missed a beat, but either it did actually run fine for him, or he was in lala land because the scooter jerked twice riding it home from the mechanic. It definately felt like the belt was slipping or something.

Oh well, im selling it now as i am not putting anymore money into it, that seems to be getting me nowhere. I might buy another scooter but it will not be an SJ50QT.

ae86guy · Post by **ae86guy** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 12:21 pm

Remove and inspect the variater rollers and belt

DangerMice · Post by **DangerMice** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:43 am

I would check the drive belt too. How many kms has it done, about 9000? Should have been replaced by now. I had what you described a few times on a belt I let go way too long. After I replaced the belt it never happened again.