Modern Vespa

So I really thought I had dodged the bullet and that it was just a coolant tank issue. But, the coolant spray when going wide open happened again. So I bought one of those testers that tests for exhaust in the coolant. At first there was nothing. But once I got the scooter as hot as I could while sitting on its stand, I did see some belches. And, while it didn't turn yellow, the test fluid turned solidly green. Given that the spray only happens on wide open, I think that makes sense.

So, back to changing the head gasket. I had this week off of work for a staycation anyway so I've got the time. This week has turned into a medical and mechanics repair vacay instead of R&R. But, better that it happen now...

Stay tuned for more of my stupid human tricks, lol.

Last edited by KimPossible on Sun Jul 17, 2022 11:59 am; edited 1 time in total

Pictures please! I love your can-do attitude.

Good for you for jumping in to where so many others would fear to go. Good luck with the project. One question - what's a vacation or staycation? These words are foreign to me.

a vacation spent at home

That was a whoosh then.

What is it with Americans, who still don't take all their paid leave even though they get less than half those in most other countries do?

We are industrious, it's in the water. Hasn't it hit you yet?

Or just taken in by that "Work ethic" scam?

Don't look at me, I'm on reduced hours for over a year now, and still use all my vacation time

Well, I aim to at least. Year's young(ish).

I work just enough to pay my outgoings, 2-3 days per week. Life is short, work to live, not live to work.

I am a plasterer, 6th generation, 47 years in. Never got a paid vacation. And no, my son is not following me into the trade. He is smartrr than me.

6th Generation, WOW. 47 years of hard work is something to be proud of. I sure hope you to took some long "unpaid" vacations. You deserve it.

I work in academia, where they give you what is by American standards an excessive number of vacation days. For 27 years, I had never had enough time to take even half of them. Last year I took them all. I got dinged on my performance review for not being committed enough.

Not really, four kids kept me hopping. My wife stayed home to raise them and for that I am eternally grateful. But I am going to retire at the end of the year. I'm done, I put it off for too long because there are so few of us left and so much work.

I will keep my comments to myself on this one. However, take all your vacation. I worked a great job years ago where you had to take all your vacation. They even locked you out at the end of the year if you had taken them all until they were used. Their philosophy was getting away from the job makes for a better employee. Of course, I had used all my vacation by March

Now lets get back to changing that gasket. The week is almost over.

Not wishing to further derail the thread, but I consider the sheer breadth of jobs that offer little to no paid time off in the U.S. to be both myopic and counter-productive. My experience ranges from years in skilled trades where it took up to 2 years to get one paid week off, to directorship at a fortune 100 company that started everyone with nearly 4 paid weeks per year. Yes, it burdens the staff when there is so much vacation to work around through the year. But it burdens the individual worse when there isn't, and contributes significantly to job burn out, unplanned absenteeism and unpredictable attrition.

Use your vacation. Life is short. There are no guarantees!

How's the head gasket job going? It's the end of the work week!

I was focused on the medical procedures part of my vacation (out-patient surgery and other appointments for my wife, but logistically complicated since she is paraplegic.) Now back to the mechanical procedures part of my vacation.

So, the dissasembly is always represented as no big deal. But in my previous wrenching experience there have always been bolts or screws or ... that I just could not budge no matter how much soaking with PBBlaster and breaker bar extenders I had used. Also, crawling around on the ground and walking back and forth to get the tool I actually need instead of what's in my hand - things that should be simple would take hours and have me near tears! I'm ready this time, I have a lift, a scissor jack (makes the oil removal and coolant drain so much easier!) I also have an impact drill now for removals (not for replacing!).

But, this is also the first time that I've done a lot of work where I was the last one to work on it. So, everything was anti-siezed and torqued to spec, so everything came off!! The impact drill isn't even out of its packaging. (knock on wood that it keeps going that way!!)

Music:
What do you all listen to while working on your scooter? I listen to just about all kinds of music. But, this morning I had been listening to jazz and found I needed to change the music once I started working. Jethro Tull is working nicely. Thinking back, I think most of my wrenching is done to progressive rock.

Pictures and write up to come later. Thanks everybody for the encouragement!

I should not have tempted fate with how easily everything is coming off. The thing we call a swingarm that isn't actually a swingarm is stuck. I've always had good luck with the scooterwest tool. But today, the center bolt snapped. grrrr!

Read that something called a pickle fork might work. Off to see what that is and if I can buy one tonight.

That sucks. Been there. If I remember correctly, it all ended up with a destroyed ABS ring, a new wheel bearing, and a heat gun to call my very own. Anti-seize is the cure moving forward.

Success! The pickle fork did the trick! The not a swingarm is off, the wheel is off, the brake caliper is off, and the wheel is back on. Woot!! Took about 45 minutes of hammering with all my might, but it finally popped loose. I guess that hadn't been off since the cannonball last year.

I did get some dings on the back of the not a swingarm. Just on the part that bevels out, but not on the inside of the circle. I don't think that will cause any problems. Picture attached.
But,
Will that cause any problems?

I'm such a wimp, I'm exhausted. I'm going to call it a day, take a cold shower, sit in front of the fan, and have some ice cream!

It almost looks cracked in a spot. If it is, that's a problem.

Oooh, that is a scary thought! But upon further inspection and cleaning, it was dirt and a very long dog hair.

Getting elbow deep like this, I can't believe how filthy my scooter is. Anybody clean their engine bay? If so, what do you use?

Well done on getting that 'not the swingarm' removed, patience & perseverance always pays.

Try any all-purpose spray-on engine degreaser (Simple Green gets good reports), leave for a few minutes to let it do it's job then rinse off using water from a low pressure, fine spray nozzle paying attention to avoid directly spraying onto electrics and your ecu.

So are you back on the road?