Modern Vespa

Some background:
1) I'm a girl who likes to think she is mechanically inclined, but my ET4 is changing my mind
2) 2004 ET4 4k miles, bought used
3) live in FL, Vespa has always been in FL
4) there is a Vespa dealer close- it's the last option- $$$

Vespa ran like a dream for 3 months.
4 weeks ago, Vespa was idling a little rough during a ride. Stalled out while waiting on a red. Restarted fine, revved it up and was on my way. Didn't happen again.
3 weeks ago I noticed gas "raining" out from the Vespa. Changed the fuel line- put new hose on the exact places old hose was.
2 weeks ago, Vespa fell on left side. Don't know how it happened; don't know how long it was on side. I left it upright, I came back, it was upright. A strong storm hit while Vespa was parked on side stand and covered. Noticed a ton of water in cover when I took it off. Only realized it fell over when my left mirror was all wonky, as was the windshield and then I noticed the scratches. Still a mystery, but I always use the center stand now.
What seemed like since I changed the fuel line, Vespa had been a little hard to start, was turning over, but took a couple tries to catch. This happened around 4-5 times
Got caught in a heavy downpour. Started fine about three hours after.
Next morning, would not start. Turning over, does not catch. Tried starting it w/ wide open throttle. Started, but then died.
Have not tried to kick start it.
Tried to remove the spark plug last night, but don't have the special supplied tool, but going to try again tonight using 16mm or 5/8 socket.
Also, there is a hose, appearing to come from the gas tank (very high up on the neck)that is not connected to anything on one end. That floating end is very close to another hose, not connected to anything on one end ( another floating end) the connected end is connected to something near the top of the left side. So if you are sitting on Vespa, these mystery hoses are on the left, far left, near the seat cushion, like under your thigh. They appear to be the same size. I taped them together to see if Vespa would start, it didn't, I untapped them.
I have printed the manuals. I need help.

Don't give up.
Take a look at this ET/GT/LX: Hard Starting, Rough Idle, or Stalling and see if that helps.


Regards
Harvey

I'll try that, but any idea what those two hoses I mentioned are? They are to the left and rear of what is pictured in "ET/GT/LX: Hard Starting, Rough Idle, or Stalling"

There is only one hose to remove..don't fret about the others...they are not likely related to your problem. You can click on the pictures in the link from the last post to enlarge them if they are not clear.

Do this first before you play with spark plug. Incidentally, removing the spark plug is not easy, and it's harder to replace it, at least until you know how. (There is a thread on how to do that too, if it comes down to it.) However, the tool to remove the spark plug is in the tool kit that comes with your scooter. If you don't have the tool kit (stored in a small plastic tray that fits under the seat) you may want to check with the former owner to see if they still have it.

You have a very good scooter, which doesn't like falling over and has a badly designed emissions control system. Do the hose thing first. If that doesn't work, let us know. You can spend a lot of time and energy by trying everything scattershot. I'm not a mechanic, and it can be very frustrating when these things crop up. I have the same scooter as you do and I have had the same problem. Be patient. Hang around here long enough, and you'll learn a lot.

Then, in time you'll be telling someone else how to fix their scooter.

I have a 2005 ET4 also, great Scooter. Since your scooter has found itself on its side a couple of times, I would check the air filter, most likely it is full of gas and needs to be cleaned. I understand that gas in the oil filter can happen from laying the scooter over or from over filling the gas tank. It is an easy thing to check/fix if this is the problem. Good luck. I also like to try and take car of the mechanic issues on my own, I've learned a great deal from this site and the technical forum.

Best of luck!

I removed the evaporation hose from the carburetor inlet- it was dry as a bone. I tried to start Vespa without it on, the turning over of the engine wasn't turning over, really. I replaced the hose, tried one last time to start it and it didn't turn over at all. On to check the air filter. Any helpful tips on that?

I gotta say your symptoms above sounded like the evap issue. But now you say it won't TURN OVER? Do you get any sound when you try the electric start? Any sign the starter is turning? The evap hose and air filter won't be the problem here... they wouldn't preclude it from turning over.

I wonder if the lack of turning over isn't a separate problem in addition to truly evap hose related issues listed originally. Try kickstarting it (since you said you haven't yet).

Yes, I do get sound, it is trying to start, but it just turnd over less and less. I realized that I did have the lights on (the key in the on position) while I was working on the evap hose. Might have drained the battery a little bit.
I want to fix Vespa so bad!! Air filter next?

Perhaps you just drained the battery too much in the process? Maybe the problem is otherwise fixed...

Given the incidents (tip over) and such the scoot experienced while the evap was connected, I wouldn't put it past the filter being a bit swamped so it oculdn't hurt to check on that.

Ahhhh, the sweet sweet sound of a running Vespa!! Thanks a ton to all who helped. After disconnecting the evpa, cleaning the air filter, changing out the spark plug and charging the battery, I am up and scooting again. And I did it all with my own two hands. I am so thankful for MV and all the knowledgeable people on here!!
Now, about the small foam filter I'm supposed to attach to the hose inlet on the carburetor. Where can I buy one of those?