How to Fix a Moped Gas Line

Mopeds often get up to 100 miles to the gallon.

Mopeds are a fantastic way to commute around town. With fuel efficiency usually around 100 mpg, you can travel for weeks without filling up. Although mopeds are known for their reliability, they do sometimes quit running. Luckily, however, these engines are quite easy to work on.

Things You'll Need

• Repair putty
• Compressed air
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Shut off the gas to your engine by turning the valve on the bottom of your gas tank. You will see three signs, "O," "R" and "C," which stands for Open, Reserve and Closed. Turn the gas valve to "C."

2. Trace the tube from the gas tank to the carburetor. This is your gas line. Remove the screws holding the gas line in place and pull it off the carburetor and the engine.

3. Blow compressed air through the gas line to clear obstructions. If gas isn't flowing to the carburetor, you can test this. Spray starter fluid into the carburetor and start the moped engine. If the engine runs for only a few seconds, you know gas isn't getting to the carburetor. Clear both ends of the gas line with compressed air. Make sure the line is free of rust and dirt before reinstalling it.

4. Plug a hole or crack with about a teaspoon of repair putty. Simply apply the putty with your thumb, and make sure to cover all signs of cracks. Leave the tube out for at least 24 hours to dry. Gas flows from the tank to the carburetor under pressure, so it's important to completely seal the gas line to prevent nasty leaks.

5. Reinstall your gas line onto the carburetor and the gas tank, and tighten the screws with the screwdriver. Turn the gas valve to "O." Start the moped engine. If you see no leaks, you're ready to ride on.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are unable to find repair putty, rubber putty works just as well.

• Putty repairs to cracked gas lines are not permanent. Expect to repeat the patch process about once a month.

References

• Moped Army: Fred's Guide on Moped Repair