Modern Vespa

Had my 500cc LT Sport just about 4 weeks, new 2012 model (UK). Covered 250 miles mostly just local getting used to riding as well as the bike, no issues until today.

Didn`t use it yesterday as it was a miserable day, cold overnight as there was frost on the car but the bike was in a unheated garage.

Sunny today so decided to have a run out, bike started normally, left it ticking over for 4-5 minutes and set off, after a couple of minutes reached the main road and started to accelerate, engine started spluttering I pulled over and it cut out, oil light came on, turned ignition off and on and engine started fine, oil light went out as normal. Rode it home and checked oil to find it on minimum.

Is it normal for a new engine to use/lose oil during the first few weeks? No sign of a leak.
Will have to get some oil to put in as not due for first service for another 250 miles and dealer is 65 miles away.

Should I be concerned and maybe not use it, get it trailered to dealer?

Thanks

Steve

It's not unusual to find a new bike with low oil - the deLers often assume it's been filled to the top from the factory - but the factory puts the minimum in (of course).

Low oil is not your problem - the oil pressure light should always come on when the engine has stopped running for whatever reason. It's when the oil light flickers or comes on *with* the engine running that you should double-check...

The very occasional stalling after throttling off when new isn't weird either, the ECU has to get used to your riding conditions, and until it does so this might happen again. It should start right up again quite happily.

Thanks Jim, it was when accelerating it stalled, not throttling off, which I would have put down to being cold, didn`t go above maybe 10-15mph before reaching the main road, so I guess it stalled the first time I went over that speed.

I will try and get some oil tomorrow and put that in and see what happens.

Will any 5w-40 oil be OK?

Thanks

Steve

Any 5W/40 fully synth will do - Halfords 'Diesel' oil is pretty good value. It's worth getting an expensive 1l bottle as well as a 5l container, as long as you get a 1l bottle that has a collaspible spout. Very handy for occasional topping up.

Jim, why would you put diesel engine oil in if its a not a diesel?,
because its def not good for petrol engines too much detergent properties in it ,unless it a one that can used in either engine,
ive not heard of that i use diesel oil,in my diesel car and normal oil in my scoot

Should I expect to have to keep topping it up between services?

If I had a brand new car that was losing/using oil I would be taking it to the dealer to sort out the problem.

Steve

Most of my bikes don't need topping up between services with normal riding, but any sustained high speed will see oil used up, sometimes then needing a top-up. I never bother until it gets to the 'low' level.

And the Halfords 'Diesel' oil is absolutely bang-on spec for the Vespas.

Thanks Jim, is this the one?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_230739_langId_-1_categoryId_165581

Yes, that's the one I use. They did have a 'motorcycle' oil of similar spec, but it was more expensive.

Remember oil is checked with the dipstick screwed in. I thought mine was low the first time I checked!

Flick the emergency on/off red switch a couple times. This was the same issue mine had at the beginning. Stall while driving 70 mph on a highway with no place to pull over is scarry! Took me months to find this out. Good practice is to exercise the switch every couple months. Oil light always lights up when engine stops as quoted.

Thanks for the replies.

Did it again today but this time it happened three times in quick succession at three stop signs. Started each time no problem. As the first time, it happens when accelerating to pull away. Then did about another 3-4 miles without happening again.

I did turn the red switch off and back on after the first time but didn`t seem to help.

Another 200 miles or so before first service due. is it best to take it early just in case?

Thanks

Steve

Estaban:

So it shut down at 3-stop signs in quick succession !!!!
Sudden stops can shift a battery in its compartment and if one battery post connection is loose it will shut you down. Please don't ask me how I know that.

It's possible you need to have the engine settings adjusted. When mine began to manifest needing the ECU update, it started crapping out when dropping to idle at stops. Real pain when slowing down to low speeds in preparation for a turn...one ECU update and some slight tweaks to the settings it uses to run everything, and I was good to go again.