OMG!!! Ponies!!!

I think things are finally starting to turn around luck-wise.

After speding a LOT of time grumbling about not being able to find the power supply to the only windows laptop I own (specifically, I might add, to talk to Audi/VW cars (I have 2)), I had an epiphany.

I own a Macbook.
I have VirtualBox installed on it.
I have 4 freaking windows VM's installed on it.

*slaps forehead*

Icing on the cake?

I'm a professional computer guy.
Computer Engineer no less.

It bears repeating: "We may have a degree but it don't mean we're bright."

I was able to clear the codes and found the one that kept throwing the CEL.

P0113 - Intake Air Temperature Circuit High Input

What does that mean?

No clue.

Some searching revealed that there's a sensor that measures the air temperature at the intake.

Aha! Bad sensor or broken wire!

We search for the sensor.

It takes a while.

Can you see it?



No?

Try harder.



Houston, I think we found the problem!



Fixed.

On to more pressing matters...

Tires for the SMax have started to arrive.



(tiny little things, ain't they?)

Had to go with Power Pure's for the front. Michelin doesn't make CG's in the stock size.

We will swap when the rear shows up.

We also got a new toy.



Isn't it D-R-E-A-M-Y ??

Engine parts are gonna get scrubbed CLLEAAAAANNN!!!

Any suggestions on solvents? I won't use this much so I can skip the exotic stuff.

Mineral spirits or Diesel fuel

If you don’t fix and ride that pink atrocity in the SCB I won’t respect you in the morning.

Just sayin’

Respect?

Meh.

Don't give a toss about that.

I want a full breakfast spread, man.

I won’t even leave a $20 on the nightstand if you ride that jap scrap!

Adventure and drama!

https://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/d/eva-aprilla-sportcity-250cc-scooter/6951238117.html

Oooh... It comes pre Max Maxed and everything. Somebody jump on it and take out a heavily armored tractor-trailer, quick!

So, why do we need a big ass parts washer that will be used only a handful of times?



Because begun slow motion scooter-topsy has!



Mmmm... That's a good pan. We should dig here.

Too bad this isn't Gold Rush. We would be REEEEIIIICHH!!

I just realized that ALL of the rear plastics have to come out in order to unclip the stator wire, including the rear rack and tail light.

I've suddenly lost my motivation for today. Maybe engine comes out tomorrow.

Hello there!



Oh my, you look half-naked and neglected. Won't you come inside?

2008 SportCity 250

'Needs a water pump'
'Doesn't Run'
'Dead Battery'
'Bald rear tire'
'Unknown mileage'

$350

SOLD!

Three plans are on the table.

Plan A:

Fix it up and ride it. Need to replace water pump, rear tire, missing plastic bits, battery, etc. $300-$400.

Plan B:

Gut it for parts and fix Pinky. I'll need the crank (assuming that the types match), cam and oil pump at a minimum. Those parts are > $350 so it's a wash. Tools for the main seal, flywheel and water pump are another $300-$400. Need to crack both cases.

Plan C:

Swap engine. The SC has the longer block and should be a perfect fit. I'll save on the tools but will need to transfer Head & cylinder. Pinky's water pump is ok so I can just use that. Should only need a new flywheel cover gasket. This is looking like the most cost effective option, IF the engine runs. Anybody need spare parts from a SC?

Scooterwest will rebuild your water pump for $40. https://www.scooterwest.com/water-pump-rebuilding-labor-waterpump.html

The body parts are expensive. I found some from the scrap yard in Anaheim I sent you before "themotoguys" on Ebay. There are some used pieces on Ebay now from different sellers. With your painting skills you could shine it up, but I'd be inclined to try Plan C. If the engine has oil in it and you put a jumper on the battery leads I'd try to start it. You can run it for a few seconds with no coolant. Just to see if it runs.

That's just for the labor.

Do not trust your eyes, they can deceive you.



No, that's not a ultra-rare long body SC250.



It's a bona-fide successful saucer separation!!



Bastard-kitty might be up and running sooner than I had imagined!

New engine is in decent shape.


Some minor corrosion consistent with sitting out for a spell. Nothing major. I found water in the exhaust pipe which gave me a minor heart palpitation. Oil wasn't milky so it must have been from the pressure washing I gave it the other day.

WHEW!

However, the oil was almost *too* clean when I drained it. The oil filter only had VERY dark oil. Methinks somebody changed the oil and never ran it.

Why? Oh, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough...


Looks like the landing pattern at LAX in the garage.

Engine is bolted in but that's as far as I got. Sorry, no pics yet. Had to take care of other pressing needs.


Lookeee at all them ILLEGAL hoses!

Yes, the pimply kid

Would.

Not.
Smog.

Why?

Because California.

They're getting stricter. Any modifications to the intake is a no-no. They have photos of stock cars to compare to and they check.

Yeah, just what I needed. More car work.

I'm throwing in the towel. Don't need the hassle anymore and had most of the original parts in a box. Had to buy the turbo hose (yes, the very one what blew off rather unceremoniously on the 405) and DV from ebay. $24 is worthwhile investment to keep it running considering I just put on a new top, tires and coil packs recently. It's a hell of a lot of fun to drive and if I can get another 5 years out of it, I'll be happy.

My Miata has a cold air intake set-up with a big bold CARB approval on it, and they research it every time. At least I get to see what my tax money pays for.

Yeah...government stupidity. That costs lots of money.

What's this?



Progress???!??!!!

Yup, stoopid had *just* enough white paint to make a matched set.



Things were going swimmingly until



Hercules was unable to extract that screw. Tried everything I had and only succeeded in mangling it. Going to try a reverse thread bit. The stator is in great shape and I'd like to avoid damaging it if possible. I should be able to vice grip it out once the pickup is out of the way.

Why does it need to come out? Need to rebuild the water pump and would like to get the cover cleaned up in the washer. PO used some sort of goop on the gasket and it need a good scraping.

Water pump kit comes Tuesday. If I can get past this hurdle, I can be ready for it and be on the road next week.

Soo.... Very... Close!

What size hex was that bolt? Before ya run out and buy more shit, I’m reasonably close to ya and have all that stuff at my disposal. Reverse drills and twist sockets.

Let me know if you want me to come over. I’m off tomorrow. Also this evening

It was a butter-soft phillips head. Tried JIS, #2, #3 before I went neanderthal. It took considerable force to crack the other side with vice grips.

Need to go to HF today anyway (I'm blowing through gloves at an alarming pace) and I'll give their cheap bits a quick go. I'll let you know if I need to escalate. Thanks for the offer!