Chain broken on moped

marco501

On my puch moped there are two chains - one that you pedal to start.

This chain snapped and so I tried running with it to start it. Despite turning over it wouldn't start and so I am wondering if it's necessary for the chain to be fixed or is it likely to be some other problem?

Hintza

So it was working fine and then the chain snapped?

You have to do these things in a logical order, start with fixing the chain and then take it from there.

None of us on here can tell what is going to be wrong. Repairing the chain might not sort the problem but it would seem the most obvious place to start.

marco501

A few months ago it was running ok.

Before I rush out and buy a chain tool I would like to know if it is really necessary - ie should it still start without the chain?

mikey72

I would have thought it should start without the chain.
If you have petrol, and are turning over the engine the magneto should be turning to produce the spark, same as when the engine is running.
You can check the fuel with it stationary, but saying as you can't pedal the engine to check the spark, you're going to have to take off the plug lead, or take out the plug, tape it to the block, and run at night to see if it's sparking. (Or get a mate with good co-ordination to run along side you)
Beyond that there's nothing to the engine I can think of.

Sarsie

With the front one you're actually turning the engine over, and if the road speed is too low it helps with the motion. I think (but am not certain) the first bit of pedalling provides a spark to start the engine, one the thing is rolling it's providing it's own electricity. So if I'm not mistaken (I could be- mopeds aren't my forte) you wont start it at a run no matter what you do, you need a new chain or the one you've got repaired.

Sarsie

marco501 wrote: »

Before I rush out and buy a chain tool I would like to know if it is really necessary - ie should it still start without the chain?

The chains are small on those so even a bicycle chain tool ought to be ok, you could ask on freecycle if you can borrow one for a day.

marco501

Well, the chain being broken offers the most logical reason for it not starting.

I am not in the least mechanically minded so really haven't got a clue.

Hammyman

When was the last time it was serviced? Being a 2-stroke, the plugs get fouled up quite easily. Also you could have flooded the engine when you tried to bump start it.

marco501

It was serviced quite recently because a friend used it for a charity ride.