OP
@shrimp avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
 
Enthusiast
@shrimp avatar
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
UTC quote
Purchased this 150lx over 4 years ago. At that time it had under 7K miles. It currently has just under 14K miles. I have done all the maintenance and it has always run great. A week ago I noticed a knocking noise on my ride home from work. The engine had normal power and no oil pressure light. With my helmet on I thought it might be the rollers or slides wearing out because the current ones have 7k miles on them. I just changed the oil and there was no metal at all in the screen or the oil. I changed the rollers, slides, belt. All the old looked pretty good. I adjusted the valves (they were both tight). Noise began prior to all this work I just did but it still sounds the same after all the work. What do you think this noise is?

@jess avatar
UTC

Petty Tyrant
0:7 And counting
Joined: UTC
Posts: 37839
Location: Bay Area, California
 
Petty Tyrant
@jess avatar
0:7 And counting
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Posts: 37839
Location: Bay Area, California
UTC quote
Exhaust leak?
OP
@shrimp avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
 
Enthusiast
@shrimp avatar
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
UTC quote
jess wrote:
Exhaust leak?
That would be awesome if that is all it is. I will check that. I have had the exhaust off several times and I haven't checked the gasket or tightness of the nuts recently. Thanks Jess!
@greasy125 avatar
UTC

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14995
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
@greasy125 avatar
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14995
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
UTC quote
jess wrote:
Exhaust leak?
seconded

check and refit the exhaust then assess from there.

good luck!
@lebo avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2018 GTS 300 Touring Rosso Vignola, 2020 BV 350 Matte Green, 1956 VL3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1157
Location: Herriman, Utah
 
Molto Verboso
@lebo avatar
2018 GTS 300 Touring Rosso Vignola, 2020 BV 350 Matte Green, 1956 VL3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1157
Location: Herriman, Utah
UTC quote
Thirded.
Not a difficult issue to fix.
OP
@shrimp avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
 
Enthusiast
@shrimp avatar
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
UTC quote
Hey guys,
Thank you for chiming in. I will remove the exhaust and refit with a new exhaust gasket to see if that solves it. I shot another video last night and it sure sounds like it is coming from under the valve cover. The Vespa is my daily driver so it has been a pain not being able to use it. Hoping it is just the exhaust!


Derek
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22692
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22692
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
yup change both the head manifold copper gasket and the graphite bushing from the header to the exhaust . when tightening down either don't crank them down thinking tighter is better, you can break exhaust studs and couch the graphite bushing tooooooo much . highly recommend new exhaust studs with new copper nuts as well.
OP
@shrimp avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
 
Enthusiast
@shrimp avatar
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
UTC quote
old as dirt wrote:
yup change both the head manifold copper gasket and the graphite bushing from the header to the exhaust . when tightening down either don't crank them down thinking tighter is better, you can break exhaust studs and couch the graphite bushing tooooooo much . highly recommend new exhaust studs with new copper nuts as well.
Thanks old as dirt,

Does the 150 have the graphite bushing? I didn't think it did but I have one on hand. I am ordering the rest now.

Derek
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22692
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22692
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
Shrimp wrote:
Thanks old as dirt,

Does the 150 have the graphite bushing? I didn't think it did but I have one on hand. I am ordering the rest now.

Derek
yup your correct according to the parts diagram from AF1. having a 250 and 500 I just assumed all piaggio's had a graphite bushing. my bad sorry.
OP
@shrimp avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
 
Enthusiast
@shrimp avatar
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
UTC quote
Installed new exhaust gasket and new copper nuts torqued to 11 ft. Lbs. Unfortunately the noise persists. Any other ideas.
@greasy125 avatar
UTC

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14995
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
@greasy125 avatar
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
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Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
UTC quote
Shrimp wrote:
Installed new exhaust gasket and new copper nuts torqued to 11 ft. Lbs. Unfortunately the noise persists. Any other ideas.
SAS system? check the tube, attachment at the head, the gasket there as well as the gulp valve.

take another video, but roll on the throttle to give it some R's and see how the sound changes
@motovista avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GT 200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9115
Location: Main Street, Watts
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@motovista avatar
GT 200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9115
Location: Main Street, Watts
UTC quote
Put it on the center stand, start it up and cover the end f the exhaust with a rag. Push it hard enough so no exhaust is getting out. If the bike dies, you don't have an exhaust leak. I'm guessing you still might.
UTC

Ossessionato
2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3766
Location: East Anglia, UK
 
Ossessionato
2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3766
Location: East Anglia, UK
UTC quote
I'm thinking camshaft noise, although it does sound more crank speed related than the cam speed. But worth thinking about as past experiences with customers bikes has revealed this to be the case sometimes, AFTER checking out the exhaust leak situation. When camshafts start going out to lunch they tend to tick, click/knock and it gets louder and louder as the miles go by. I've also seen a head gasket blowing that's also caused that exact noise. Is the performance affected at all? It could also be the conrod small end bearing (wrist pin) getting insufficient lube or has undue wear causing it to knock.
@greasy125 avatar
UTC

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14995
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
@greasy125 avatar
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14995
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
UTC quote
strom, for once I'm with you.

while I suggested checking and DOUBLE checking the exhaust and EGR, my gut says there's something mechanical going south. like the big end of the rod. or maybe the cam is getting ate up. both of which you'd likely not see in the strainer due to it being such fine particles

like, instead of stripper dust we call it mechanic glitter. and either will cost ya.
UTC

Ossessionato
2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3766
Location: East Anglia, UK
 
Ossessionato
2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3766
Location: East Anglia, UK
UTC quote
I think we are together on most things greasy. Never seen much of your stuff that I don't agree with...except you know what... Laughing emoticon
OP
@shrimp avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
 
Enthusiast
@shrimp avatar
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
UTC quote
greasy125 wrote:
SAS system? check the tube, attachment at the head, the gasket there as well as the gulp valve.

take another video, but roll on the throttle to give it some R's and see how the sound changes
I removed the SAS system when I bought the scooter but I need to go back and look at how I blocked it off because I can't remember. Is the gulp valve the black fitting on the valve cover? I couldn't remove it because I didn't have the proper size torx but I can buy it if you think that could be part of my problem.

I rechecked the valve clearances and they were a little loose so I adjusted closer to spec. No difference.

I took a wet rag and blocked the exhaust and it stalled so I don't think I have an exhaust leak.

There is no noticeable degrade in the performance. It seems to run just fine.

Is EGR valve the one above the engine fan assembly? Sorry I just don't know what all this stuff is or what it does.

I did notice what I think is wear on the camshaft but if you rub it with your finger you can't feel it at all. It is only visible to the eye.

New video with some more revs:

I would take this to a local mechanic but I don't think it is worth paying them to fix it. I did find a crashed 150 Primavera for $1,100 with a bad frame but maybe I could swap the engine out? My current plan is to do whatever you guys recommend which might include just riding it until it blows.
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7370
Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7370
Location: Tega Cay, SC
UTC quote
Maybe recheck the valve adjustment, Sounds like valve tap to me. Sometimes the nuts back off.
@greasy125 avatar
UTC

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14995
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
@greasy125 avatar
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14995
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
UTC quote
That really sounds like a crank or a piston about to go.

But loop back and double check the whole sas system just in case.
OP
@shrimp avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
 
Enthusiast
@shrimp avatar
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
UTC quote
greasy125 wrote:
That really sounds like a crank or a piston about to go.

But loop back and double check the whole sas system just in case.
Dang, I’ll check whole sas. I’m going to take it to a local Indy shop to see what repair might cost. I assume it’s better to catch it earlier than to keep riding.
UTC

Ossessionato
2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3766
Location: East Anglia, UK
 
Ossessionato
2016 Vespa GTS300ie abs/asr/ess Settantesimo '70'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3766
Location: East Anglia, UK
UTC quote
Safer too!
⬆️    About 1 year elapsed    ⬇️
UTC

Member
Vespa LX150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10
Location: Sarasota, FL
 
Member
Vespa LX150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10
Location: Sarasota, FL
UTC quote
Did you ever figure out what the noise was? Did you keep riding it and are you still riding it with the noise?
OP
@shrimp avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
 
Enthusiast
@shrimp avatar
LX150, Primavera 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 71
Location: Vero Beach FL
UTC quote
I did not figure it out. I ended up selling it to a guy who owns 5 vespas and he didn't seem too concerned about it since he rebuilds motors. Last I talked to him he was too busy to mess with it. I let it go cheap, $1,100 if I remember correctly.
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