Modern Vespa

My ET2 cut out on me on my way home last night. Had to push it 2 miles home. I suspect the spark plug is bad. My last tune up was about 2K mi ago. I'm "just a girl" and not mechanically inclined so I don't even know what a spark plug does, let alone know how to replace one.

However - I did manage to actually find the spark plug and get the rubber cover off, but I don't have the right size wrench(?) to fit over it to get it out. Here are my questions: What size socket wrench do I need? Does it actually unscrew? If not, how does it come out? I'm telling you, I need the basic information here.

Also, am I on the right track? If the engine cuts out in the middle of a ride, could a bad spark plug be the culprit? The electric start works, but it sounds wrong - high and whinny, not like the engine is about to start. I would say the engine is not turning over (if that's an acurate description, I'm not sure). This happened once before, but the engine started right up again.

Any help would be greatly appreciated since all the shops in town are closed on Mondays and I don't really have a way to get it to one anyway.

doesn't sound like your spark plug.

Can we get more specifics? What is working (lights, etc..) What sound is the starter making (just a click, whirring but not engaging, turning the engine over but not starting...etc)

D

Thanks for responding so quickly. The lights work, the battery is pretty new, the starter makes a high "whirring" sound but the engine is not turning over. I can tell by the sound that the engine is not about to start. Maybe it's not getting gas? What would be the symptoms of a bad spark plug?

I would still like to change the spark plug, so if anyone can help with the size of socket I need, as well as how to remove it, please let me know. I can't find specifics anywhere.

There should be a spark plug remover in your standard factory issue tool kit - if not, you may want to get a hold of one as it's a pretty important bit of metal. You will need to unscrew the plug to the left.

Almost sounds like the starter is not engaging.....
Apples and Oranges I know but... I always had that problem when timing belt broke on my car..
Something along those lines?

Now that you mention it, I have never had the belt replaced and have 8100 mi on the scooter. Would a broken belt cause this problem? I have read that when a belt snapps, the bike locks up. When my engine cut out, I just coasted to a stop. Although it did slow down faster than if I had just let go of the throttle. Any ideas? I'll look in my tool kit for the spark plug tool anyway.

Different belt completely... I was wondering if something inside the engine is not engaging or snapped off..
Turns over quickly ( in a car ) is A) starter not engaged or B) No compression in cylinder..

broken belt may lock the rear wheel transmission (rare) or the front pulleys or none of this.

If front pulleys are locked by the rest of the belt, the crankshaft (=the engine) wouldn't turn anymore and the starter will turn but not engage. This can cause the noise, you are hearing.
You can (gently!!! e.g. by hand) try your mechanical starter (the foot lever) and see, whether the engine turns at all.
Due to your mileage, belt may be an issue.

I don't exspect a spark plug to be your problem, because this won't result in a sudden malfunktion but a slightly loss in performance. As it is no hazzle, you can look after the spark plug as well.

But I suggest, open the variator cover to look after your belt.

bye

So I was able to locate my toolkit (I've never used it before ) and tried to get the spark plug out, but couldn't budge it. The engine does seem to turn when I press the kickstart. I hope that's a good sign. I'll have to rent a trailer and take it to the shop asap.