Modern Vespa

So i've had 3 instances where Leo the LX 150 (carb). Wouldn't start after a long trip (45 miles) of stop and go traffic. Three times he has done it and it started right before i left for the mainland. That time it was very very hot but again i did a longer trip with many stop and go's. 15-20 miles i'm good. Doesn't do it. Happened yesterday. Went into Honolulu (45 miles) and there was construction everywhere. Took me twice as long. By the time i got there he was running warm which seemed to effect the idle. Idling faster. Left it for about 20 min and when i came back to start it, it wouldn't turn over. Seemed flooded. Batteries good (checked at the battery shop i go to). Also smelled gas when i went up to it and got worse when i tried to start it. Again no visible gas drips or leaks anywhere.. Went to lunch with a friend and came back it started. We were there almost 2 hours total. Same scenario all three times. I've undone the gas cap thinking it might be a vapor thing. Didn't help. So he's had a new spark plug,fuel lines and fuel tap not even a year ago. This didn't start until right before i left. No notice of any gas dripping nor around the lines. Key points are long stop and go trip, has to be left sitting at least 15-20 minutes, distinct revving faster idling noticed towards the end of the trip, smells like it's flooded when i try and start it, will start right up if left for about hour or hour and a half. Any ideas on what it might be? If i had a fuel pump i'd be looking at it but don't have one. Thanks a lot. Maybe the thought of where to make him a yard ornament helped.

I am sorry that you are having problems Judy . I don't know much about the LX150 so I looked up the specifications and they said it has a forced air cooling system. Stop and go traffic is not good for a non liquid cooled engine. I assume it doesn't have a temperature guage? When it idles high like that the engine is getting too hot. I hope you didn't do any damage. I would avoid those situations(traffic jams) as much as possible. Maybe turn the engine off if you know that you are going to be stopped for a few minutes. When the engine gets flooded try pushing the starter button with the throttle wide open for about 5 seconds and then try to start it as usual. Giving it extra time to cool off is a good idea. I hope you get it worked out.

HACHI no temp gauge. Thanks. I can use the bike lane and i do but it seems weird that it's starting now. Weather and my route are the same. Temperamental Italians.

Is there a fan that forces air toward the cylinder? Pardon my ignorance concerning the LX150.

That's ok. Nope no fan. LEO the attention seeking LX.

Sorry I can't help more Judy. On an air cooled motor it is important not to sit still very long in hot weather. Make sure there is no blockage of air flow to the cylinder and no debri in the cooling fins on the cylinder head. Maybe someone else with chime in with some better advice. Then there is always the lawn ornament idea. (Just kidding)

Thanks i'm sure they will. Air filter is newish and clean. Forgot that. Thanks for reminding me.

Yes, there's a fan and an air duct around the cylinder. The fan is on the crankshaft where the GTS has a water pump. Revs are linked to engine revs. Maybe the duct is blocked. But you would probably smell it if there was some animal nesting in there.

There is a fan in there? Wow. I know about the vents but not the fan. Could that be the cause?

Yes. Make sure that it is working.

Judy, you can see the fan on the right side of the bike above the exhaust. That fan blows air around the cylinder. That's why they're called hairdryers.

Yes i know exactly what your talking about. Should i take that off and check it?

I do know that I would check the air ducts for blockage. Since you travel alot and keep Leo in a shed outside there is no telling what has nested in there. Could be a bird nest or something.

The shed is a Rubbermaid one and thankfully we don't have many critters except for insects and geckos. The condo is on stilts so the shed is on the concrete garage under the house. But i will check it. Thanks you guys 8) We do have mice tho.

Yes, Judy, check that fan and the plastic air ducting surrounding it.

That might account for overheating, but it wouldn't explain the increase in idle speed, I don't think. Any time I see an unexpected fast idle, I tend to think air intake leak/lean mixture (which might also cause overheating). Might be worthwhile to check the black rubber intake manifold duct for cracks or loose connections. Also the vacuum line to the fuel tap.

We get much hotter summers than you do around here, and I've never had overheating problems with either of my air-cooled Leader-engined scoots, regardless of the length of trip or the traffic.

Something is amiss.

Your CDI may be going bad. Or, you may be running to lean.

Thanks so much everyone. You guys rock. I will recheck the fuel line and tap. With our roads it wouldn't. Surprise me if it's loose. might be more than one problem. He hopefully needs a little attention I hope it,s not the CDI [/b]

Check your plug Judy. Nice greyish/browny tan colour is what you are looking for. If it's white it's running to lean. If it's black and powdery it's too rich.

And also check the secondary filter inside the fan housing above the exhaust. Give it a clean out like you would the air filter.

Keep us posted.

You know, In Vespa age, Leo is 97. WTF, you'll just piss it away on another boring trip...

Thanks everyone. Were having a little tech day on the 24th. Will see if we can squeeze in a look see on the wee beastie. TOM. True and i was just thinking about that. I love his color . The new Daring Plum just isn't the same. FI might be nice tho. True about the trips. I coulda bought a 300 and another Lx if i hadn't done my Africa trip a few years ago Busted.

Good advice.

Judy,

Gotcha on the color. I'm stuck on my vintage red. AND there's no way I would be willing to buy a new scoot again to get a preferred color. You'll get it sorted, hopefully with a minimum of adventures.

That helmet WOULD look great on a yellow 946!

TOM it's weird how we get to liking a color and others won't do. So i'm with you on that one. My Ruby goes with most colors, which is awesome. If i had the cash i might get that one but no storage is a big issue. With the amount it's going to cost i could finish out seeing the countries that i missed in Africa.

Were going to work on him tomorrow any last things we should look at? Thanks so much. Will update when i get back home.

Just a little update. We did your suggestions .Didn't do anything with the CDI tho but people are leaning towards a bad auto choke. So were going to swap out the one from the LT and see if that works. Cross your fingers. Oh and a new one is almost $200. If you have any other ideas please tell me. Thanks for your help. 8)