Modern Vespa

Greetings!

I recently developed a whine/ticking sound from what appears to be the transmission side case. Video with sound below.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Q85b7LET--9FdqspcVR5ZJovbDInjaQc

I'm currently at 15.5K miles, and the rollers/belt was replaced at 9K. Additionally the valves were adjusted at 13.5K. I drove it home yesterday and it shifted fine.

I suspect its the rollers, but wanted to get your thoughts and expert opinions?

Since I purchased this used a few months ago, I plan on giving it a full tune-up(belt, rollers, oil fluid change, tranny fluid change) but wanted to see if I should also consider other maintenance items.

Thanks In Advance!

Hi sdnyer, having listened to your video, it does sound fairly normal. You will get a bit more noise with the transmission filter and cover removed, and the small clutch cover off the bike. But the ticking is not uncommon when the bike is idling.

I could not hear any whining sound. But I do wonder if you are refering to the noise the transmission cooling fan makes as you rev the engine. It tends to make a turbine sort of noise. Also the fuel injection makes a whine as you rev the motor too.

Was your bike hot or cold when you video'd the noise?

CVT transmissions make an assortment of noises as you ride them. Most often at idle they rattle. That's the rollers. But the clutch can make all sorts of knocking and rattling noises too. The belt also makes a whining noise as it runs through the series of pulleys inside the transmission case. All normal.

What we cannot determine from your video is just how normal or not your bike is. We would want to hear it "in the flesh" when hot and cold to be sure of a diagnosis. And that's not practical for most of us.

Does the bike sound very noisy as you ride it? I strongly suspect you have nothing to worry about but you could take it to your dealer if you are very concerned, or better still, compare it to another Vespa GTS250 OR 300 side by side. That may be a better test and reduces the chances of a dealer telling you to have this that and the other replaced unnecessarily. It may be someone on this site lives not far from you and would be willing to help you make a comparison between your bike and theirs.

Thanks for your feedback and guidance Stromrider.

The video was when the engine was "warm" it was ridden for 15 minutes, then sat for 20 or so minutes. I totally understand that it is hard to diagnose with just a video and associated sound. The sounds still persisted after removing the cover/variator and clutch so I could say with confidence that it wasn't that the variator/clutch.

I decided to change the oil this evening as it was due. I changed the oil, replaced the oil filter, cleaned the screen and put it all back together. I started the engine and it ran for about a minute and it suddenly just shut off. No loud noises or anything.. just simply shut off.

Since then I have been unable to turn over the motor . I can hear the fuel pump prime when I put the key in the ignition, the starter cranks but the engine does not turn over. I have confirmed spark at the spark plug and that I can turn the crankshaft. I'm hopeful that since the crankshaft still turns that the engine did not seize.. I suppose the next line of troubleshooting would be the fuel system.. but that will have to wait tomorrow. Fingers crossed that my engine is not toast.

If you have any other thoughts about what to check, appreciate it. Otherwise it may be time to take it to the shop.