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@scootershark avatar
UTC

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GTS 300ie Super
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Location: Buffalo, N.Y.
 
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GTS 300ie Super
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Location: Buffalo, N.Y.
UTC quote
Hi!
I live in Buffalo, NY and no one, I mean no one works on Vespas here. I own a 2010 Vespa GTS 300ie Super with roughly 4300 miles on it. I am doing all maintenance myself and I am a newbie. I use youtube tutorials. 2020 she was running fine, but started slipping or missing as I was riding. Then she died. I'd wait 10 minutes and she'd start back up. Gave up, changed the oil and transmission fluid then took her to storage with her dying every couple miles, I wait 10 minutes, start her and go a few more miles and stored. Took her out this spring 2021 and she started right up:
-changed air filter (wet with oil upon removal)
-changed spark plug
-syphoned out storage gas (with stabilizer)
-put in new gas
Sounds rough! Terrible...knocking...yuck.
Any ideas what it could be? (I have a video to attach, but it is being stubborn. Suggestions?)
Thank you!
ScooterShark
@steelbytes avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2019 GTS 300 HPE Supertech E3 63,000km
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
@steelbytes avatar
2019 GTS 300 HPE Supertech E3 63,000km
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Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia
UTC quote
ScooterShark wrote:
changed air filter (wet with oil upon removal)
it's supposed to have oil on the air filter.

watch 2nd video on Air Filter Cleaning

or check this at about 7mins in

and quoting from the gts workshop manual
Quote:
Remove the filtering element and clean it with water and shampoo; then dry it with a clean cloth and
short blasts of compressed air. Finally, immerse it
in a mixture of 50% oil of the recommended type
and 50% petrol. Then gently squeeze the filter element between your hands, allow it to drip and
then refit it. Oil or water deposits in the filter housing can be cleaned off by removing the two rubber
caps
⚠️ Last edited by SteelBytes on UTC; edited 3 times
@lebo avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2018 GTS 300 Touring Rosso Vignola, 2020 BV 350 Matte Green, 1956 VL3
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Molto Verboso
@lebo avatar
2018 GTS 300 Touring Rosso Vignola, 2020 BV 350 Matte Green, 1956 VL3
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Location: Herriman, Utah
UTC quote
Try cleaning the air filter. Put it back in to see if the oil returns. The filter should have only a very light coating of oil.
@touring300 avatar
UTC

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GTS 300ie Touring 2013 - Signora D'argento
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GTS 300ie Touring 2013 - Signora D'argento
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UTC quote
Rough running can be attributed to fuel getting into the EVAP system. Assuming you have the EVAP system fitted, have you recently over filled when putting fuel in?
@kimpossible avatar
UTC

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Tethys - 2012 GTS 300
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Tethys - 2012 GTS 300
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UTC quote
I had a period of that dying, restarting, dying again issue. Took the dealer crazy long to diagnose it. In the end it was the fuel pump.
I didn't work on it though so I don't know what their process of elimination was.

Does it die when cold? When hot? There were recalls for faulty fuel pumps that had trouble when hot but I dont know the years involved.
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gts 300
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gts 300
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UTC quote
I bought a 2010 from a rider in our scoot club last year. As I recall, when he bought it new there was a fuel pump recall done on it.

I would seem to me that Vespa/Piaggio would keep a record of the recalls done.

A friendly dealer may be able to use your VIN to check if the recall was performed.

Good luck!
@wbdvt avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'16 Sprint S 150, 2 x '06 GTS 250, '12 GTS 300, '74 Vespa 150 Super
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Molto Verboso
@wbdvt avatar
'16 Sprint S 150, 2 x '06 GTS 250, '12 GTS 300, '74 Vespa 150 Super
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UTC quote
Sounds like it might be the fuel pump. I had a fuel pump issue even though my scooter was not on the recall.

I contacted Vespa/Piaggio USA directly with my VIN and they confirmed it was not on the fuel pump recall. You can try that.
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@scootershark avatar
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GTS 300ie Super
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UTC quote
Hi Everyone!
What wonderful replies. I can't thank you enough for your help. I will contact Vespa, with my VIN number and see if I am (or was) eligible for a fuel pump recall.
Thanks again!
ScooterShark
UTC

Enthusiast
2019 GTS300
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Location: Twin Cities, USA
 
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2019 GTS300
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UTC quote
Hey ScooterShark!

You can search for recall information here if you'd like:
http://recall.piaggiogroup.com/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

If nothing pops up it would be worth checking with Piaggio/Vespa too. But, this online database is a good place to start.

And, it's worth double checking, but I think your air filter should have oil in it (my GTS300 is supposed to)
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UTC quote
Hi there-
Thanks so much. I put in my VIN number and nothing came up. It is a 2010, so perhaps it's too old to find.
Thanks again!
Scooter Shark
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300 GTS Super
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Hi ScooterShark.

I also own a 2010 GTS 300 Super (purchased new) and in my case, the dealer had already replaced the fuel pump before the sale.

Good luck with your troubleshooting.
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UTC quote
Hi Again All-

I've got a one minute long video that I think might be helpful. Please watch this and tell me what you think might be wrong with my 2010 Vespa GTS 300 Sport.
I'm very discouraged.
Thank you!
ScooterShark
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15yxbv6WJXTqpWWe7rVBz3iDbtDjuKg2O/view?usp=sharing
@motovista avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GT 200
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Location: Main Street, Watts
 
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@motovista avatar
GT 200
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UTC quote
No oil in the air filter is not going to cause what you are experiencing. A lot of people leave the filters dry, and the bikes run fine.
One of the common issues with these bikes is the spark plug cap breaking, so it's sort of making contact, but looking for any excuse not to. You can:
A- look into the cap to make sure there is a little wire that is clicking on the terminal of the plug.
B-When you install the cap, make sure you feel it click onto the plug
C- Get it on the center stand, start it up and use a long set of needle nose pliers to jiggle the spark plug wire while it's running. See if anything happens, like the bike dying or changing how it runs. An alternative version is to have someone hold a lightbulb in their mouth, stand barefoot in a bucket of water and jiggle the wire. If the bulb lights up, I hope you were recording it for Youtube.

We are selling a lot of ignition coils for this model all at once, which suggests to me that they are starting to break down. Check to make sure the wire is firmly attached to the coil, and there are no breaks where it is arcing against the metal of the bike.
Did you change the battery? Check to make sure the positive terminal is not able to arc against the body of the scooter. This will also cause what you are describing.
If it's a fuel pump, you can usually turn the key right after it dies and shouldn't hear a fuel pump noise. If you do, be ready next time it happens and pull the injector, then turn the key and see if gas sprays out everywhere.
As always with these bikes, check the voltage regulator by checking the voltage while it's idling and then when you rev it up.
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Hi all-

Great news! The folks at Scooter West watched my video and told me it is the exhaust bushing. I need to replace it. They sent me links and everything. So awesome! Clap emoticon

Now does anyone think I should also replace the fuel pump? It was replaced back in 2011 (recall). The Vespa is a 2010 GTS300 ie Super.

Thank you all!
ScooterShark
@berto avatar
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Molto Verboso
2006 LX150 (carbed) | 2007 GT200
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Molto Verboso
@berto avatar
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UTC quote
ScooterShark wrote:
Hi all-

Great news! The folks at Scooter West watched my video and told me it is the exhaust bushing. I need to replace it. They sent me links and everything. So awesome! Clap emoticon

Now does anyone think I should also replace the fuel pump? It was replaced back in 2011 (recall). The Vespa is a 2010 GTS300 ie Super.

Thank you all!
ScooterShark
I could see a failed exhaust bushing making the bike loud. But I don't think that would have anything to do with the bike dying and the refusing to start again.

The stalling sounds more like fuel pump or something else. I know yours has already been replaced for the recall. Other than the defective pumps, I didn't think they fail often or from age typically, but I suppose anything's possible in 10 years. If it were cheaper and easier to replace, I'd definitely do it. :?
UTC

Ossessionato
2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
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Location: East Anglia, UK
 
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2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
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UTC quote
It could still be fuel pump. But the exhaust issue could have some bearing on it as that affects fuelling too. The regularity of the bike going down seems to point to fuelling in my view. If it was electrical, as described by Motovista, it will not usually have the same pattern or timing to it. Just one other thing, are the battery terminals nice and tight? This can also produce similar symptoms to the ones you describe, however, the issue of the regularity with which the bike goes down may point to fuelling again.
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@scootershark avatar
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GTS 300ie Super
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UTC quote
Hi!
Thank you Stromwriter and Berto.

I bought an exhaust bushing and a new fuel pump. The intermittent running and dying lead me to fuel pump. The exhaust bushing replacement will be easier than replacing the fuel pump I'm told. Luckily I have a friend whom owns serval motorcycles and Vespas. We're going to roll up our sleeves and make it happen. I am paying him in Bombay Saphire
I'll probably throw a couple crisp $100 bills at him as well.

Now here's a really tricky question. Do you think it's safe to ride in it's current state (pre-exhaust bushing replacement and fuel pump)? I need to get it about 15 miles away from my home...to my buddy's house. All back roads nothing over 55.

Thanks!
ScooterShark
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@scootershark avatar
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GTS 300ie Super
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UTC quote
"Stromrider"... I made you a writer. LOL Facepalm emoticon
@berto avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2006 LX150 (carbed) | 2007 GT200
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Location: Toronto
 
Molto Verboso
@berto avatar
2006 LX150 (carbed) | 2007 GT200
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Location: Toronto
UTC quote
ScooterShark wrote:
Now here's a really tricky question. Do you think it's safe to ride in it's current state (pre-exhaust bushing replacement and fuel pump)? I need to get it about 15 miles away from my home...to my buddy's house. All back roads nothing over 55.
Hard to say. You're familiar with the dying scoot behavior and so probably already have enough info to make a judgement call.

For the exhaust bushing, the risk is that when it fails hot exhaust gases are allowed to escape under the bike. These can blow on the rear brake line and melt it. Then you have no rear brake and may have brake fluid on your rear wheel. Not great at 55mph!

If you look at your exhaust pipe you should see a clamp under which the bushing lives. Did you feel any gas blowing around there when the bike is running? That might help you gauge how close to failure and make a decision.

Changing the exhaust bushing is relatively easy, so you might also consider doing this at your place first and then riding over. The downside here is that you will likely need to remove the muffler again to get to the fuel pump (I think you need to drop the whole tank on a gts?). This has a risk of damaging that new bushing, so you'd want a spare on hand just in case.
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GTS 300ie Super
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UTC quote
Hi-
Thank you Berto. Those are very good points. Perhaps I'll trailer it to the "fix it" destination.
Meh!!!!!!!
ScooterShark
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