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I'm noticing the engine is taking 8 or 9 hits on the starter button to get it to life in the mornings. Its chilly but not freezing - prob 6 or 7 centigrade.

I did raise it with the dealer - his initial come back was that there is an auto choke (which I knew) and not to use the gas, but I haven't.

Is this normal? I suspect not. When I re-start it at work in the afternoons it fires up first push.

Is there a mixture/choke setting that needs adjusting?
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I thought that your model scoot had a fuel injected motor, and if this is the case it won`t have an autochoke, and if this IS the case, I would question your dealers knowledge of the machines he sells! Have you checked the battery is fully charged and the connections are clean and tight.
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It should fire straight up, first punch. Mine does it, and I've started it up in temps as low as 30º. Probably nothing serious, but curious.
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If you have a 300 GTS, it's a new enough model to have EFI. It should start right up no matter the temp. If it is a pre-owned scooter, it may have a temp sending unit that may be out of range. A quick check with a code reader that has real time read out will verify your problem. The person telling you it has an auto-choke pertains to carburation, not fuel-injection (EFI). I would be Leary of anything he/she told you.
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So this morning dawned with a hard white frost on all surfaces.

Started first time Facepalm emoticon
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If it's a '16 it should still be in warranty. Take it back to the dealer. Spark plug could be a bit loose or a problem with the battery. More likely the battery tho. If it was the spark plug it would do it at other times. Does it do it only when you first start it everyday?
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judy wrote:
Does it do it only when you first start it everyday?
Yep - apart from today as I mentioned above. Frost everywhere - started first push. Watch this space ....
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Check that your spark plug wire is properly attached to the cap (it screws onto the wire) and check that the cap is properly seated on the plug.
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So, seems its not a cold start problem - just a 'start' problem Facepalm emoticon

Just as bad this am and then at work this pm took 5 or 6 presses to fire up - first time it's troubled in the afternoon.

Now in the shop overnight for them to sort. At least they are near a tube station

Ah well, machines are machines. I trust its a simple loose widget somewhere.
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So nothing apparently wrong after exhaustive checking although they did mention the plug was very sooty.

They've put a higher temp plug in and I'll see how things go. Popcorn emoticon
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Dahoum wrote:
So nothing apparently wrong after exhaustive checking although they did mention the plug was very sooty.

They've put a higher temp plug in and I'll see how things go. Popcorn emoticon
This does not make any more sense that when they told you it was a "auto choke" problem. The correct range spark plug should work in any weather, cold or hot. When you are starting any FI engine, do not touch the throttle. Also, do not operate the starter continuously more than five seconds or you could overheat the starter motor. Wait fifteen seconds between each attempt to start to let it cool down and the battery to recover. There is something loose somewhere and hopefully is not between the dealer's ears. Having said that, this is a new machine and it will take a little time for you to get to know each other. Razz emoticon Good luck
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When my Auto Choke went it wouldn't start when the bike was hot. I'd have to wait until it cooled off. However it should be under warranty if it's a 2016,right?
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I feel I should update now

Started first press this am Popcorn emoticon
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judy wrote:
When my Auto Choke went it wouldn't start when the bike was hot. I'd have to wait until it cooled off. However it should be under warranty if it's a 2016,right?
Normally yes, but this is a fuel injected Vespa - so no auto-choke. It's all sensors, injectors and computers that operate the fuel delivery.
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Just an FYI, I would not change the spark plug heat range unless you live in frozen tundra 100% of the time. You may risk a holed burned in your piston. You might try another dealer. Sounds like the one you are going too don't know much about EFI-which has been around a long time. I do my own diagnostics and repairs. Personally I would not let them touch my machine again. IMO.
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T thanks. Didn't catch that. Needs more coffee. Really people have FI bikes. Razz emoticon
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Well here we are again

Last two mornings exactly the same problem. 10 or 15 starter presses to start the engine. Even happened leaving work yesterday

His 'slightly hotter' plug solution was a failure. I did get him to confirm (in a written email) that there would be no long term problems caused using it.

Dealer is on to Vespa and will call me back. Grrrrr. What The? emoticon
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so what caused the problem?

I was thinking maybe a low voltage issue and weak fuel injection firing lol but that's my bad guess
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Well having spoken to the regional Vespa team the dealer said they recommended purging the fuel lines as old residue may be clogging the system.

I have written to Vespa to ask if this should have been done anyway as part of the PDI - my dealer certainly didn't do it.

I've had it back for a week and it's starting first push every time - and we had a few very frosty mornings this week.
⬆️    About 3 years elapsed    ⬇️
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I'm having exactly this problem at the moment.
I take it purging the fuel lines solved your problem?
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Well it is three years ago now and at my age 3 weeks ago is hard to remember fully

I seem to remember that the purging plus an update of the software fully solved the issue.

That bike (George lV) was later written off in an accident - I had no similar problems with current one 8)
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Thanks mate, I've just swapped out the ht cap and it fired first time, it's as cold today as it was yesterday. I'm not confident that's the answer though.

Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you weren't injured too badly
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GTSRad wrote:
Thanks mate, I've just swapped out the ht cap and it fired first time, it's as cold today as it was yesterday. I'm not confident that's the answer though.

Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you weren't injured too badly
Good to hear - hope it continues

Only bruises and scrapes in the accident fortunately

Gory details HERE B*gger Sh*t F*ck Damn
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And vid HERE

<iframe></iframe>
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Dahoum wrote:
GTSRad wrote:
Thanks mate, I've just swapped out the ht cap and it fired first time, it's as cold today as it was yesterday. I'm not confident that's the answer though.

Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you weren't injured too badly
Good to hear - hope it continues

Only bruises and scrapes in the accident fortunately

Gory details HERE B*gger Sh*t F*ck Damn
Nasty accident, I lost my yellow GTs in 2017 as well. Driver pulled out from the left and I was doing 40. Bad bruising was all I got from it thanks to wearing proper gear.
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How often do you ride your bike?
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alloo wrote:
How often do you ride your bike?
Me? Every single day, except when there's ice or snow.
⬆️    About 4 years elapsed    ⬇️
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UTC quote
I am aware this is an old topic was wondering what the long term with the cold start because I am having issues and want to make sure before I spend cash on purging fuel line and software

Thanks I will also go ahead and order a new plug I want to start with that
Dahoum wrote:
Well having spoken to the regional Vespa team the dealer said they recommended purging the fuel lines as old residue may be clogging the system.

I have written to Vespa to ask if this should have been done anyway as part of the PDI - my dealer certainly didn't do it.

I've had it back for a week and it's starting first push every time - and we had a few very frosty mornings this week.
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Lots of times ethanol will gell or semi solidify, in low temps try using non eth fuel and mix some injector cleaner in with it. All it will do is help.
I used to put a jonie pocket heater next to my fuel tank in cold weather, never had starting probs on that ole cushman.
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