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This has me scratching my head...

Changed my oil and filter like many times before - filled with the usual 44oz of oil and ride a few times before checking and verifying level.

I pulled the dipstick and the level is up to threads...Im like WTF, pull some oil and get to correct level. I think to myself wow must have over filled it, but really know I didnt...ride it around some and check and its right back up to the dipstick treads, you can see the oil inside is up to the top of the dipstick fill.

My first thought is maybe a defective oil filter? Been using Hiflofiltro HF183 Premium Oil Filters since the beginning and never an issue.

Anyone experience this? Im going to get a new filter, drain and verify but this is just weird.
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Atypical Canadian
2009 Vespa S50(LX150 motor swap), 2006 Vespa GTS250ie
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Maybe that's where the missing oil from all the GTS300 HPEs go?
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Ya ...Ha, actually upon more checking looks like a big issue, oil smells like gas. So does the coolant. Guessing head gasket though its never been overheated.
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Molto Verboso
Piaggio Beverly 300 ie - 2012
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Indeed it is not normal that the oil level does increase.
But if it does one thinks of or water, or fuel that got into the crankcase. In both cases not good news.

Yes, drain it and check for the presence of water, water does not mix with oil and will settle at the bottom of the cannister that you use to collect the oil.
And check for the presence of fuel. Fuel will mix with oil making the oil thinner and you can smell it. Also check your coolant level.

When there is nothing to be found, refill with oil and check that the oil level is correct before you run the engine. If that is checked and confirmed OK, then start and go for a ride. After the ride let it cool down for a few minutes and recheck the oil level. There should not be any change.
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boraxman wrote:
filled with the usual 44oz of oil
^^^ That's the problem!

It is correct that the oil volume is 1.3l (=1300ml / 44oz / 0.34gal).

BUT when you change the oil, there is always a residue of the old oil in the engine, so you need to fill up round about 1000-1100ml, slowly and sip by sip (between min and max are about 200ml).

Edit: corrected amount to refill from 900-1000ml to 1000-1100ml.
⚠️ Last edited by GermanGTSDriver on UTC; edited 1 time
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GermanGTSDriver wrote:
^^^ That's the problem!

It is correct that the oil volume is 1.3l (=1300ml / 44oz / 0.34gal).

BUT when you change the oil, there is always a residue of the old oil in the engine, so you need to fill up about 900-1000ml, slowly and sip by sip (between min and max are about 200ml).
Always used 44oz on a fill with new filter and if anything it may be barley over, I like a good drain. 76K miles and changed every 3K.

I think I have bigger issues/
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I use a syringe with a short hose for refilling, is also suitable to suck off a little oil.

Suck off to max and continue to monitor!
GermanGTSDriver wrote:
I suspect something else though... First of all again the hints how to check the engine oil level:

Cold (!) engine
Main stand
Absolutely level ground (front/rear AND right/left) -> best in garage
Unscrew the dipstick, wipe it off, screw it in completely, unscrew it, read the oil level.

I suspect that one or more mistakes were made during the reading. The slightest unevenness of the surface causes inaccuracy as well as not screwing in before reading (then 1cm of thread height is missing).

Make sure that the dipstick does not tilt when inserting it, it must slide in very easily, the risk that it breaks off is very high!
https://modernvespa.com/forum/post2582964#2582964
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
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boraxman wrote:
Ya ...Ha, actually upon more checking looks like a big issue, oil smells like gas. So does the coolant. Guessing head gasket though its never been overheated.
I missed your response while writing my own.

That is really not good.
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Agree...Lots of miles on it and really the first big issue. As soon as I find out more I will need to determine weather its worth it or not to fix or sell, part it or start over - already sad as I pretty much ride daily.
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well, that sucks.

a fresh head gasket isn't the worst thing and your components are more than likely in good shape so it wouldn't be tremendously spendy.

or if the chassis is solid and the paint is nice, I'd hunt down a replacement motor, snap that baby in and cruise it.
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greasy125 wrote:
well, that sucks.

a fresh head gasket isn't the worst thing and your components are more than likely in good shape so it wouldn't be tremendously spendy.

or if the chassis is solid and the paint is nice, I'd hunt down a replacement motor, snap that baby in and cruise it.
I was already thinking about you...after I see what's going on with it...if possible I could pull the motor and bring it to you for repair....more to come...
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boraxman wrote:
I was already thinking about you...after I see what's going on with it...if possible I could pull the motor and bring it to you for repair....more to come...
yeah man, of course! just shoot me a PM if you need anything. more than happy to help get you back on the road.
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Thanks Greasy...appreciated!
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