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UTC

Member
'16 SS SE
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Location: PNW
 
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'16 SS SE
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UTC quote
The wife & I took our new 300 SS down to SoCal from the state of Wa.
From snow to sunshine!
All is good until our '16 starts dripping oil rather quickly at every stop, about 140 miles in from new. Visible drips on the underneath. Coated the underside, misted the swing arm & rear wheel. Not sure what the deal is. Filter & drain plug are tight - not sure where to look next (valve cover?).
No oil in the air box if the clear thimble window is an indication. The oil level has not dropped significantly as the oil is still about at full on the dipstick.
Hmmm...???
Rode it in to the local dealer to see what's up. Needless to say they can't look at it for 24 hours.
As I'm on vacation and leaving tomorrow I can't leave it there.
Long story short, I won't be riding it anywhere headed back up north!
I'll drop it off at Seattle Vespa.
Thanks Piaggio Vespa! I've never had a new vehicle/bike give me an issue like this.
Vespa = fail on our first outing. Bummer, we were having a blast to this point.
I'm sure there will be plenty of good ahead.
@trotter avatar
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Roughhouse Sport. Buddy 150(sold)
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@trotter avatar
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UTC quote
Wow that sucks. Bad experience.

My guess is that the oil filter didn't seat properly and that is where the leak is.

If it were my scoot....I would do an oil change and go from there.
OP
UTC

Member
'16 SS SE
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'16 SS SE
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UTC quote
Trotter wrote:
Wow that sucks. Bad experience.

My guess is that the oil filter didn't seat properly and that is where the leak is.

If it were my scoot....I would do an oil change and go from there.
Good advice thanks. Filter looked and felt tight. But it could be seeping while running. I'll get an oil & filter change in.
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Roughhouse Sport. Buddy 150(sold)
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@trotter avatar
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UTC quote
MaxSS wrote:
Trotter wrote:
Wow that sucks. Bad experience.

My guess is that the oil filter didn't seat properly and that is where the leak is.

If it were my scoot....I would do an oil change and go from there.
Good advice thanks. Filter looked and felt tight. But it could be seeping while running. I'll get an oil & filter change in.
Tight doesn't mean "right". The rubber gasket must seat right.

Get the oil change and wash the scoot well so when the leak happens(if it happens) you can see the origin.
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2006 GT 200, 2007 BV 500
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@michaelr avatar
2006 GT 200, 2007 BV 500
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UTC quote
Am I right in assuming your not riding the scooter from Washington to SoCal? How far did you get, in other words, where are you now? I like the idea of the oil change, the oil filter not seating properly sounds like a pretty good shot, a good place to start. If you don't have tools with you I would think any dealer worth their salt would do an oil and filter change (a fifteen minute job) right away for you under the circumstances. Keep us posted as to the remedy. Good luck.
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MV Santa
GTS250, 1975 VBC, 1980 P200E cutdown
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@vintage_red_matthew avatar
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UTC quote
Another possible source of leaking oil is the oil pressure switch, located by the water pump. My friend had that happen to him.
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UTC quote
Let's hope this is not the case, but with in the first 250 miles, I had a leak, we checked everything in the pump area. After a few new gaskets, realized the leak was still there. The blue light was used to check oil leaks a little deeper. It turned out to be a crack on the cases. A factory issue. Cases were replaced. All good!
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Red Devil SH150i (11,000)
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Red Devil SH150i (11,000)
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UTC quote
Re: Oil Leak 140 Miles From New
MaxSS wrote:
Thanks Piaggio Vespa! I've never had a new vehicle/bike give me an issue like this.
Vespa = fail on our first outing. Bummer, we were having a blast to this point.
I'm sure there will be plenty of good ahead.
My Honda had a crank case oil seal blow at 250 miles. There's no need to think all Piaggio/Vespa products are bad.
You might want to pass on the lottery tickets until your luck changes Razz emoticon
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2009 LX 150, 2024 GTS Super
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UTC quote
Both my LX150 and my GTS 250 leaked at the pressure switch. On the GTS it's easy to see the switch near the drain plug. I tightened it about 1/8 turn and the leak stopped. That was 8000 miles ago.

Bill
OP
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'16 SS SE
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Location: PNW
 
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'16 SS SE
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UTC quote
Thanks Cosmos & vintage red. I will check that also. I bet that's it.
I trailered my Vespa to SoCal from Wa! No long haul!
And no, even though I was an out of towner, the local Vespa dealer was not going to look over my scooter dripping oil.
I rode out of there dripping oil. They did not seem concerned about safety.
I also have an Aprilia m/c. Wicked flawless bike. I have no issue with Piaggio products per se.
It just happens to be that Piaggio/Vespa is the first of any brand I have owned in 30+ bikes to puke oil from about 100 miles.
I will take care of the issue. Merely sharing my experience!
Capiche?!
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UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
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@sdg avatar
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UTC quote
MaxSS wrote:
Thanks Cosmos & vintage red. I will check that also. I bet that's it.
I trailered my Vespa to SoCal from Wa! No long haul!
And no, even though I was an out of towner, the local Vespa dealer was not going to look over my scooter dripping oil.
I rode out of there dripping oil. They did not seem concerned about safety.
I also have an Aprilia m/c. Wicked flawless bike. I have no issue with Piaggio products per se.
It just happens to be that Piaggio/Vespa is the first of any brand I have owned in 30+ bikes to puke oil from about 100 miles.
I will take care of the issue. Merely sharing my experience!
Capiche?!
How could a dealer not take a look? Not proud to be part of that extended dealer group. That's ridiculous...

SDG
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UTC quote
Where inSocal are you? Tell us and we can chime in with reputable mechanics.

And where in Seattle are you from? I occasionally get called up to Seattle/Anacortes for work (maritime)
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2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
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@bob_copeland avatar
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UTC quote
New Vespa Leaking
This forum helped me out. The gasket to the water pump was
incorrectly installed at the factory. The leak looked like oil, but
was in fact coolant. My fan ran a lot, and the gauge showed
over heating.

This may not be your problem. My dealer fixed it quick under
warrantee. I even used the Vespa first year roadside service
and had the Scoot taken to the dealer from my residence.

The gang on this forum figured my problem out so well, I was
able to tell the dealer what to do.

Bob Copeland
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2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
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UTC quote
The oil level should be between min and max. Sounds like your dealer overfilled it. That could be the reason it's dripping oil. Get a turkey baster and get the level down between min and max. Doing a oil change would work also. Just remember to to fill up between min and max. Shame on that dealer. That's the reason dealers are closing. No good after purchase service.
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UTC

Molto Verboso
GTV300 (wife's)
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@kshansen avatar
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UTC quote
SDG wrote:
How could a dealer not take a look? Not proud to be part of that extended dealer group. That's ridiculous...

SDG
Agree, not saying they should drop everything and do an overnight total rebuild on a scooter, but at least have someone familiar with the scooter take a quick 5 minute look at it to see if it was something minor like bad or loose oil pressure sensor!

Reminds me of a dealer we had a problem with. We took a good picture of a coolant leak and when we offered to email it to them or just bring it in when dropping off the scooter they said no!

I spent 45 years working on heavy equipment and would have loved it if someone could send me a picture of exactly what they were seeing as a problem!

I know if I was a customer at a dealer to pick up or drop off my scooter and they said: "Sorry it will be a few minutes as that guy over there from out of town has a problem he wanted us to look at." I'd say no problem and go over and have a chat with the guy to see if there was something I could do to help him out in case there was a serious problem.

I, too many times to count, have cut my lunch or coffee break time short to help out a truck driver for an outside contractor who was picking up stone at the quarry where I worked to fix a problem with a tarp, soft tire or air leak. Many of the times I was offered a $10.00 or $20.00 dollar tip which 95% of the time I refused.
OP
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'16 SS SE
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UTC quote
I went to Vespa Motorsport/Scooters West. Been hangin in San Diego and it was close. They were too busy to give me service. Out of stock on farkles..
The man with the beanie is a cool cat though.

SIP Scootershop looks to fit my needs better should they have parts in stock.
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@kdude avatar
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UTC quote
Have to agree with you on this. If it were my shop I would take a few minutes to put it on the lift and take a look see.

Two reasons come to mind.

Make a new vespa customer / friend who supports the brand and possibly refer new clients or at least let others know "they care"

And i'd be really curious about any leak on a new scooter. But that's me.

That dealership just plain sucks.
SDG wrote:
MaxSS wrote:
Thanks Cosmos & vintage red. I will check that also. I bet that's it.
I trailered my Vespa to SoCal from Wa! No long haul!
And no, even though I was an out of towner, the local Vespa dealer was not going to look over my scooter dripping oil.
I rode out of there dripping oil. They did not seem concerned about safety.
I also have an Aprilia m/c. Wicked flawless bike. I have no issue with Piaggio products per se.
It just happens to be that Piaggio/Vespa is the first of any brand I have owned in 30+ bikes to puke oil from about 100 miles.
I will take care of the issue. Merely sharing my experience!
Capiche?!
How could a dealer not take a look? Not proud to be part of that extended dealer group. That's ridiculous...

SDG
UTC

Hooked
Gts super 300 '12
Joined: UTC
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Location: Seattle Washington
 
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Gts super 300 '12
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UTC quote
Got my Gts from Victor (Seattle). I like that place a lot
OP
UTC

Member
'16 SS SE
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'16 SS SE
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Location: PNW
UTC quote
Oil leak mystery fixed!
Odd ball oil leak. There is a stud next to the plug which holds the spark plug cap retainer clip. Curiously not all 300's have this stud!??? Wonky Italians lol.
Anyway this stud bolts into the head and was leaking oil. Dye in the oil & a black light exposed the problem.
Stud pulled & sealant applied and the stud put back in.
Weird I tell you.
But its warranty work and we'll see how it goes.
Seattle Vespa and their tech took care of me promptly (I had an appointment) and the tech knew his stuff.
Thank You Seattle Vespa.
Back to buzzing the boulevards!
@amateriat avatar
UTC

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2015 GTS 300 Super (Melody: 2015-2021, RIP), 2022 GTS SuperTech (Thelonica; bit the dust 02-22-23)
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@amateriat avatar
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UTC quote
MaxSS wrote:
Oil leak mystery fixed!
Odd ball oil leak. There is a stud next to the plug which holds the spark plug cap retainer clip. Curiously not all 300's have this stud!??? Wonky Italians lol.
Anyway this stud bolts into the head and was leaking oil. Dye in the oil & a black light exposed the problem.
Stud pulled & sealant applied and the stud put back in.
Weird I tell you.
But its warranty work and we'll see how it goes.
Seattle Vespa and their tech took care of me promptly (I had an appointment) and the tech knew his stuff.
Thank You Seattle Vespa.
Back to buzzing the boulevards!
A cautious "Yay!"

Again, keep us posted. It's a truly fabulous bike but "stuff" can still happen.
OP
UTC

Member
'16 SS SE
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Location: PNW
 
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'16 SS SE
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UTC quote
amateriat wrote:
A cautious "Yay!"

Again, keep us posted. It's a truly fabulous bike but "stuff" can still happen.
I hear ya. I look after my bike fairly good, catching things most times.
Here's to a good future! Scooter emoticon

Its as much a brag about my dealer, who jumped on, and took care of the issue, with the help of corporate who really has not seen this issue.
As they should of course.
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UTC

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2009 GTV 250
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Location: Olympia, WA
 
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@turkman avatar
2009 GTV 250
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UTC quote
MaxSS wrote:
Oil leak mystery fixed!
Odd ball oil leak. There is a stud next to the plug which holds the spark plug cap retainer clip. Curiously not all 300's have this stud!??? Wonky Italians lol.
Anyway this stud bolts into the head and was leaking oil. Dye in the oil & a black light exposed the problem.
Stud pulled & sealant applied and the stud put back in.
Weird I tell you.
But its warranty work and we'll see how it goes.
Seattle Vespa and their tech took care of me promptly (I had an appointment) and the tech knew his stuff.
Thank You Seattle Vespa.
Back to buzzing the boulevards!
\

Vespa Seattle aka Big Peoples Scooters also takes good care of me!
⬆️    About 2 years elapsed    ⬇️
UTC

Member
Vespa GTS300 Super Sport 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8
Location: Rawdon, Qc, Canada
 
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Vespa GTS300 Super Sport 2018
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8
Location: Rawdon, Qc, Canada
UTC quote
Oil leak near spark plug
I just fixed the same issue today on my 2018 GTS 300 SUPER SPORT 1100km

I checked everywhere thinking it was head gasket, dry it but oil was dripping on spark wire and when l read your text, it comfirmed my problem.

Finally did it fixed your issue?
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