Yamaha Neouvo - Mechanical Problems!

[smileplur]

Here in the On Nut area of Bangkok, I have a Yamaha Neovo that is a few years old. I have been driving her for a long time, and I have never experienced a problem. I ensure the typical maintenance is always up to date. I don't push her too hard, and some days, I only drive 10 kms. I make a point to take her out everyday unless I am away.

Nonetheless, the bike has been experiencing some serious problems that are affecting my life in a seriously bad way. I cannot seem to get it fixed; although, I have been to the shop several times at this point. In the morning, it often doesn't want to start. She just sputters and the it never starts up. Kick starting doesn't work either. Then, in the afternoon when I get home, it starts up as if there is no problem.

So, I replaced the battery and the spark plug. It was fine for a day. Then, it wouldn't start again. This morning, she barely started, and had some problems starting after work at 2:00 pm. Once she has been running for a while, it isn't an issue.

Do you have any suggestions as to how I can solve this problem? I haven't got any tools here. I am guessing that it has something to do with condensation getting into some part of the engine.

Is this "vapor lock"? Could it be some sort of head gasket issue?

Finally, do you all know of some mechanic who can speak English well in the downtown Bangkok area? My girlfriend isn't up on the terminology I am using, and I have no way to communicate what I need to communicate to the mechanic.

Cheers!

[BigBikeBKK]

erm... buy a new one?

[CMX]

Here in my town (not BKK), we have two Yamaha dealers of size - I mean the real Yamaha types exclusively. At neither place do mechanics speak English, and some of the office staff deny it until I'm paying the bill. And I know that "Go to the dealer" means money, usually. My experience in Thailand is different with Yamaha.

The thing is that these mechanics specialize in Yamahas only. One in town only services the smaller bikes. They have a chain of expertise of their staff posted on the waiting room board. They are not roadside mechanics (nor mechanics trained as in our nations with certificates), but they are experienced. Frankly, I've rarely seen an auto shop in the west run so well.

I have successfully with gestures and even drawings had four problems solved (I bought a junker which i drove while waiting for a delivery). And it was amazingly inexpensive. One was preventative; I wanted them to look at the belt - a ratty string as it turned out, that still worked.

Of course, your girlfriend would be invaluable in setting out the main fact of it never tarting in the morning and yet starting in the afternoon. Plus any other details. None of them are technical. I don't need to be a doctor to explain symptoms. (It's OK to say battery, though - the y is long and stressed - ee).

Thus, you have in my view no need of an English speaking mechanic so much as to find a Yammie dealer. Try google - Yamaha bangkok would be a start. Better put in motorbike or cycle, to avoid music responses.

Thus have an avenue to the best and (in the long run) inexpensive solution. And when the bike is running smoothly, you can save for that new one if you desire.

Hope this helps,

[smileplur]

While I would love a new bike, I don't find it very logical to throw away the vast amounts of money in doing so. Thanks for the tip about Yamaha. I have found a local dealership.

That being said, I have solved the problem. My motorbike is running at peak performance now. After a lot of talking and several trips to the shop, it turns out that my carburetor was the source of the problem. It took 2 hours and 600 baht, but the carb has been cleaned, a new spark plug, some gaskets replaced. The oil was changed. I have put 350 km on it since without an incident.

[Kalyan]

Thanks for the tip! I have another bike that has similar cold start issues. I'll get the rider to get the carb cleaned