Modern Vespa

Like the title says, how much oil consumption is considered 'normal' for the LEADER engine?

Before setting off to the grocery this evening, I stopped and checked my tire pressure and my oil level.

Well, my tire was down to 27psi and I added air. It was my oil level that concerned me.

I checked the oil last about 3 weeks ago. I noted that it was down from it's full mark, but still well within the hash marks.

Fast forward 3 weeks and about 900 miles and the oil level was barely touching the dip stick!

It took over 1/3 of a quart to bring the crank case back to full.

I know all engines use SOME oil. My old Ford van used 1 quart every thousand miles (it did that from the day it was new and Ford considered it normal!) and I expect the LEADER engine to do the same. But the crank case holds only 1 quart of oil! 1/3 of its capacity within 1000 miles is ALOT (at least in my opinion)

Should I be concerned by this and bring it to my dealer's attention?

Thanks

-Skrap

normal for my lx150 when i had it... i checked the oil every time i rode. i was always adding oil

2007 GTS. Eight day tour 2,000 miles, two and a half days at interstate speed. Oil consumption, nil to none.

What kind of oil was it?

If it was Maxima (Maxun?) Syn Ultra 5-40W, I find that stuff practically evaporates.

Everything else I've used resulted in very little consumption.

Our 150 leader goes through stages, sometimes it uses oil between changes (up to a pint in 1,500 miles,) sometimes it doesn't use a drop.
Go figure.
It's got 15,000 miles on it and still runs like new.

My findings are about a GTS, sorry to barge in on your thread, but it is a Piaggio engine. I have noticed that I'm starting to use some oil now that I'm at the 7000 km (4200 mile) mark. I do a lot of high speed riding mind you, the majority of the time (about 65% - 70%) I'm 120 kmh (70 mph) and above. I have noticed some accumulation of darker oil in my air filter bubble, as well as some oil staining on the pipe that goes from the head to the air cleaner (EGR valve?) I've had to add oil three times, all three times after extended highway riding of about 300 miles or more, it has never gone below the add mark. I check my oil every day I ride first thing before starting. I am using Motul oil as recommended by my dealer, but do have some Vespa oil waiting for the next oil change. For what it's worth, my diesel Jetta is very finicky about oil, some brands it drinks others it just gargles.

Dave

My GTS use none that I can tell.

I broke it in hard.

This is how my reacts as well. I checked it a few months ago during a maintenance and cleaning session and it needed about 250ml added to it. I now keep a bottle of Motul in the shed to top it up. Next oil change is due soo, so may have to top up after the filter is replaced. I too do a lot of highway riding sitting on 110-120km nicely so I'm glad that I am not the only one using the odd spot of the good stuff.

Rhys.

Note that it is VERY important that the Vespa is standing LEVEL on the centre stand when you check the oil level. The reading can be way off if the scooter is leaning just a little to one side.

Not that familiar with smaller engines, but with a car engine (eg 4 cyl, or a gasgusler V8) when used around town on short hops the crankcase can fill with a lot of condensates and other wonderfull materials from the blow-by (gases passing around the rings - a normal feature of a motor).

THese evaporate and are burnt through the crank-case ventilation system as one gets the engine hot, ie a long run, hence oil level drops.

Whether this is completely the case in your Vespa - well I ain't seen the bike - Happy for you to fly me over though

Hate to sound like some smartarse, but:

MAintaining oil grades is very important. (not saying you are doing this, but as an observation)

Changing wieghts and oil specifications in a motor can adversely impact on oil consumption - part of the sealing of the rings/bore is done by the built up crud around the rings. If you change oil grades/specifications, this can remove some of the crud, impair sealing, and as a result performance.

This is probably what you are experiencing in your Jetta!

There are some interesting links elsewhere about oil types and mixing and matching - be happy to add if there is interest.