Modern Vespa

Hello friends. I'm having an issue filling my 2014 GTS (eastern US). I cannot add fuel without having a bunch of it come out and get on the scooter at full. It seems that if I fill at full pressure on the hose, it explodes out when full. When I fill at a lower pressure, it STILL does it. I've been in a trip, and I waited until the gas light blinked, so I would know how much to put in, but in each case it was 1.8, 1.7, and 1.9 (gallons) and exploded each time.

Now, I do the raise-seat-and-put-gas-cap-under-it so that when the gas outflow happens it doesn't get on anything in my seat storage.

I'm just really frustrated and feeling like an idiot. Does this sound like I'm doing something wrong, and if so, what?

You'll find many many similar posts here worldwide.....you're not alone to be sure

Beyond spillage of a flammable substance, in the US, overflow of gasoline when filling tends to flood the vapor emissions carbon canister causing all sorts of starting and drive ability issue.

Gas spilled on paintwork, especially matte finishes, I'm guessing is also damaging over time.

Piaggio has done little to re-engineer and fix, so the quandary is how to best cope.

The options practiced by this community seem to be: 1) tilt the pet carrier up when filling, so overflow won't flow into the carrier creating a mess, although raw gas dripping over a hot engine presents its own risk, 2) know your tank's capacity, and simply fill it both slowly and in a measured way, if slightly less than full capacity, 3) buy an adapter, a funnel-like device with a flared opening that fits into the tank opening, Scooterwest in CA sells one.

My 300cc large frame has a capacity of around 1.6 US gallons, and if near empty, I monitor the pump, pump cautiously and simply stop around 1.4 gallons

Yep, suggestion number 2 from above is most practical and least impact on normal daily usage when maximum tank quantity for range is not required. I have a 2023 Primavera 150. When the low fuel light comes on I can put in 1.5 U.S. gallons and go about another 150 miles before I have to do it again. I never have an overflow or spillage to deal with.
My first few fill ups when the scooter was new was the same experience that is very aggravating and potentially dangerous...

I don't know if it was clear, but I did mention (in different words) that I have tried both #1 and #2. I like the idea of #3 - that would at least limit the overflow to the funnel.

thank you for that suggestion!

That funnel is to help with filling from the CA pumps, which have the fume-collection 'foreskins' on them, and also filling from cans. If it fills with fuel, what do you think happens when you remove the funnel...

Keep the fuel nozzle pointing towards the rear of the scooter and fully inserted, i.e. with the handle over the raised pet-carrier, and go slowly. Don't hold it half-out in the hope of seeing fuel level. Bear in mind that all pumps are different - if you find a local one that doesn't overflow each time, remember it and try to use that one exclusively. Some people keep a 5 gallon container at home, and use that to fill up.

I find I can use the CA nozzles with no funnel and very rarely get spillage - they shut off very smartly.

slow down, just ease the handle not even half way , slow and steady. its not a race to see how fast you can put gas in.

the filler neck on a scooter is WAY shorter than on a car, thus less tube means less space for gas to come back to before it comes out.

I still say push the nozzle all the way in, to ensure the auto-cut-off has a decent chance of working as it should. If the nozzle's half-way out it'll always act too late.

In addition to putting the nozzle in with the handle over the pet carrier, I keep a towel/rag to wrap around the nozzle as it enters the filler neck. I pull the trigger maybe 3/4 or so, and never have a spill.

In my 7000 miles of owning my GTS300, the so-called 'Auto Shutoff' of the gas station fuel handle has never worked while gassing the scooter up.

My solution has been to just get it to one gallon pumped, then slowwww down, watch carefully, and top it up with little spurts and squirts.

Getting a full tank in these things without a stinky gas mess is a bit more of a challenge than it needs to be, or should be, but I just chalk it all up to one of those endearing(?) and puzzling little
'quirks' that make owning a Vespa....um... special.

Good luck everyone. This quirk comes up all the time on this forum. I am just glad I learned from this forum to prop-up the pet carrier with the gas cap and not spill fuel inside. I just slow way down while filling and keep a rag handy.

Best to all of you.

Bob Copeland

We have the same nozzles in WA, having the fume recovery "foreskin" which is a mixed blessing at best. I have a couple of 5 gallon jugs that I typically use to fill at home after rides, and fill at fuel stations only when absolutely necessary. I follow the JBacklund process, propping up the pet carrier bucket and filling the first gallon at full squeeze, then slowly finishing the fill. I also use a small rag wrapped around the fill opening to catch any splashes or drips. I have had one explosion, but it was my own dumb fault, and so far have not had a repeat.

Cheers,

Bob

Here's my process for filling up my GTS, and I rarely have any overflow issues...

1) After opening the seat (duh), remove gas cap, lift seat bucket, and place gas cap vertically on its' edge under the seat bucket to prop up the seat bucket. This prevents fuel spillage from ending up in the bucket.

2) Twist paper towels or rag and wrap around the top of the filler neck. This will help capture any potential fuel spillage. If there is no spillage on this fillup, these can be reused to minimize waste. I prefer to use paper towels I can toss if they get fuel on them.

3) Insert pump nozzle into filler neck as far as it will go. Some nozzles have fussy vapor collectors that can make this difficult, so work on your technique with these devices.

4) Position/rotate the pump handle over the seat bucket towards the front of the scoot, inline with the centerline of the scoot.

5) Pump slowly! Control the flow of fuel so that it is going as slowly as possible. You're only putting in at most 2 gallons, so it's not going to take very long anyway. Some pumps/stations are trickier than others, so hopefully you can find some locally that are easier to modulate the fuel flow.

Robot Video...he doesn't rotate the filler handle, but this should give folks a better idea to minimize spillage.

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nope

Works great.

Two thumbs up for the Vespa gas funnel

lol. I'm thinking "what pet carrier?" Took me. Minute.

I pried out the green sleeve in the filler neck which allows me to see inside and lets more air out. I have removed all the evap. crap. Our pumps have been circumcised.

Be glad the scooter hire companies in Europe haven't done that. Over there, the gasoline is in the green hose, the diesel in the black. Most pumps have wider diesel nozzles, so they won't fit in your gas tank with the restriction (not all mind, some older ones still exist).

Actually I'm surprised they did it this way round, as diesel in a petrol vehicle isn't catastrophic. The converse can be.

I have the funnel and live on the US coast of the US (NY). I cannot say that in my case the SW funnel does anything to help (I have it and use it anyway). Go slow and carry a rag seems to be the way to go.

Aside from all the advice above, I also only refuel the scoot while on the side stand and from the left hand side. South African fuel nozzles shut off the flow if they get fuel up the breather tube. Then I proceed s-l-o-w-l-y...

This has been my solution. easy and convenient.

I have a litre gas bottle for in flight needs.

So, you basically fill this first, then do your own fill with something that fills much slower? Do you carry this with you for longer trips?

I top off before each trip. The battery operated pump is slow enough that I can anticipate the overflow and avoid it.
I keep a metal 1 litre can for fill up on the road and I just pour it in.

I ended up buying a 2 gallon fuel can, and fill up at home. If I must fill at a station I won't try to fill to full, just enough to get home.

I'm a bit late to the discussion, but I was doing some testing of various ways to fill my Primavera. This can (pictured) works great! I don't even have to support it, as it sits on the grab rail. The trick is to use the green button to control the flow. Same as a gas pump, too fast is no good. I listen to the gas trickling in, and when the sound changes, release the button. Not a drop spilled. I fill the small can from a 5 gallon can, so I have a maximum of seven gallons on hand. The smaller can is available at Ace Hardware stores, and online.

great for when you only fill up at home. having a good technique is essential for when your traveling or day trips of more than 100 miles. Hell a sandwich run for me is every bit of 165 miles.