Modern Vespa

I have a GTS, only 8 months old and it was sputtering on me just now. I started it, and it immediately cut out. I thought that maybe it just didn't get enough gas or something, started it again and it was fine. About a half mile down the road it started to lose power like I was running out of gas. Then it picked up again. Then it started cut out again. Then it picked up again. Then it started to cut out again. This continued until i got where i was going about another mile or so away. I pulled into my office parking lot, let it idle for about 15 seconds and then it just shut off.

Any ideas? I should probably just take it in but the dealership is about 10-15 miles away and I'm afraid I might get stuck part way there.

You probably know this already but the two things you should check first are the plug cap and wire connection and the evap system.

Oh ya! The plug cap. I forgot about that common issue. What's the easiest way to access that again?

From above. Remove the pet carrier. It's on the rhs looking to the front. Green rubber I think. Space is fairly tight. Check that the wire is fully screwed in to the plug cap. Righty tighty (clockwise) lefty loosey. There is a thread on the spike of the plug cap that screws into the centre of the wire. The wire is rather short. A strange costcutting move from Vespa.

Open the seat, remove the puppy warmer. Face the front of the scoot and at the front of the big hole you now have is the cylinder head. The plug cap is angled toward the right side of the head.

You should be able to squeeze a hand in there and check that it is on tight.

If you want to remove it and reinstall, make sure you pull the cap, not the wire as it can separate. The wire is short, so don't pull too hard.

P.

Thanks! I checked the cap. It seemed tight but i pulled it off anyway and then put it back on. I'll check to make sure the spark plug itself is screwed in tight enough later when i have more time. Ran the scoot for a minute or so and it seemed ok.

And what about the evap system do i need to check?

If it is still connected, disconnect it. We don't have it in the UK (phew!) but you do in the US. When the filter gets soaked with fuel you can get poor running. I let one of you US guys answer this one!

D2, can you give us an update on your fix? My GTS is parked 4 miles from my house and only runs while on the center stand. I am pretty sure the spark plug wire is making contact only when the engine is low, and when the scoot comes off the stand, the connection is broken. I will be fiddling with it later today (after work).

if the plug cap / lead is ok and doesn't solve the problem it could be the kill swicth......

flick it on and off a few times, connections inside may be dirty......

Yes! I am wondering too. Is there an update d2mini? Fin