Modern Vespa

I've gone through all of the posts...especially "won't start" vs "won't turnover" etc...my scooter has been sitting around for a few months without use...it started up last month but ran sluggishly (acceleration flattened out at 20mph and it stalled constantly when revs dropped)...this week I decided to pay attention and address the situation but had little success...the battery was dead so I used jumper cables...the engine would turn over and catch but wouldn't start...I was turning the throttle 5-6 times before pressing starter button and it seemed that the engine was using the fuel in the carburetor to "catch" but would then not start...I imagine it's a problem with the fuel delivery system ...what's the best way to troubleshoot?

Hmmm.. most likely culprit in my experience -clogged carburetor from fuel varnish (stale fuel). I think this one was one of the last to have a carb?

How old is the battery? That would be my first check. My LX battery only lasted a few years when i didn't ride it very much. Test it and see. I would change out the fuel and vacuum lines. Mine last 4yrs. They may look good (like mine did) but mine crumbled in my hands when we took them out. I'd swap them out anyway. Easy to do and cheap. It will save you from a tow later. If neither of those wok check the fuel tap. Also when was the last time you cleaned the air filter? Battery and fuel lines are your biggest culprits. Tell us what was wrong.

Went through the same recently with my daughter's 2006 LX150, it had 56 miles up until last week. Bought her new, daughter rarely used, last started & only put on few miles some 6 years ago.

Battery was flat, got one of those yellow AGM's, tank was on reserve so put in fresh gas. changed gear oil & engine oil/filter, she did turn over and had rough idle, but the minute we gave gas, engine cut off.

A mobile tech came by and she ended up cleaning the jet in the carb with a single strand wire, then she fired up after a few attempts.

Had it warmed up to temp but then she died, turned out to be a cracked vacuum line, replaced that and she's been running fine since. Save for the stupid dead clock battery, she is in great shape.

Thanks for the prompt responses...the battery was drained but relatively new...I'll charge it up rather then using jumper cables next time...replacing the hoses sounds like a plan (at least within my skill set)...cleaning the carburetor is probably above my pay grade...how do I check fuel line (tap?)
I'm not suspecting bad fuel as I filled up tank last month and put in some Sea Foam...

The 2009 LX is a bit different from Judys 2007. You do not have a vacuum fuel tap. Instead, you have an external fuel pump about half way to the carb. Can you hear the fuel pump start when the key is switched on? If not, start by finding the fuel pump relay and see if that is working (clicks when the key is switched on). Not sure where the relay is, might be one of two under the horn cover.

Bill

Didn't realize the transition in '09, sorry about the vacuum line thing. As for carb cleaning, LongBeach___ has a very detailed post w/ pix here: Vespa LX Carburetor Jets Cleaned

COSMO it might. Thanks for reminding me. The '09's had a split year. If it was made in the first part of '09 it could have one. The latter half it probably won't. I think the latter half ones were fuel injected. If it's carbed it should have the vacuum line, right?

Judy, Scooterwest shows the fuel pump for 2008 and 2009 LX150 carbureted scooters. I think the ie came out in the 2010 models. My 2009 has the pump and a simple single line fuel tap in the tank. Seems weird to need a fuel pump on a carbureted engine.

C that is weird. Then you have the 2010 pink LX 150's that are carbed. By then the LX 150's were fuel injected.