Modern Vespa

I bought this S150 two weeks ago and thought it was amazing. And then Friday my Partner bought an identical RED one and we discovered this WHITE one is idling like SH*T. I didn't know what the WHITE one was supposed to sound like until I had the RED scooter to compare it to. Let me know what you think about that knocking sound.

Also, the RED one we bought starts up VERY easily, even after sitting for a while. But my White one is difficult to start no matter what. I have to give it quite a lot of throttle to turn it over and then hold the throttle at a high idle for a while to keep it running.

I adjusted the idle a few times and sadly this is the best balance I could get it to. If I turn the idle up, even just a tiny bit, the back wheel spins much faster. But if I turn the idle down any more, the engine stalls.

I uploaded a video of it idling on YouTube to show you all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ_EGFMXJWc

Too lean fuel mixture?

What does that mean exactly and how could I fix that?

Try either of:

air/fuel mixture screw on LX150

Idle Adjust and you...(lx150)

Have zero personal experience with this, but it sounds like what I read a while back on these posts.

Good luck!

If you got it new why not just take it to the dealer this will help you if you have more problems down the road. I'm all for do it yourselfers after the warranty ends you got 12 month go to dealer

I would love to take it to the dealer, but hey are 50+ miles away. and I have no truck, i was just hoping that I would be able to do a simple fix, Im not new to working on cars and wanted to solve this problem myself.

also, i just took it for a spin and it died on me when i came to a stop.

Call the dealer and have them pick it up. or use AAA card. but the knocking dose not sound good I would not waste time on this. you can rent a small trailer or get a scooter rack from Ebay for 100.00 bucks and put hitch on your car for price of a tow I bet.

It sounds to me like there's definitely something going on in your idle circuit. That said, I listened to your video, and your scoot doesn't sound like there's anything terribly wrong going on. I can hear your rollers rattling, which is common on new bikes, and your rear tire is turning, but mine does the same thing.

The only times I've had problems with stalling were solved by 1 of 2 things:

1) Stalled when coming to a stop after riding ---> Increased idle speed. No issues since.

2) Wouldn't hold an idle from startup, but would run (poorly) with throttle ---> clogged idle jet. Remove, clean, replace, and it was instantly better.

Your idle sounds mine, but with a lower clanky noise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZmNdzLLeqs

I went to the dealer and they said to come back after the break in period. Sorta, unhappy with their response, I took off. I am hoping the break in period will lessen that noise, else the dealer better correct this noise, because I do not hear it on other vespas.

Just turn up your idle a little bit more so it will not stall at stops. I personally would not mess with your mixture screw. Maybe cause more problems if you do not know what you are doing.

I thought the '09 Vespas are phasing out the kickstarter? or is that for only the LX versions?

Here is the Wiki article on mixture adjustment. It may also help to replace your idle jet with a 38, but this requires carb disassembly.

Carburettor Mixture Adjustment

That, for the most part, is incorrect. It requires removing 6 screws + the jet, and I wouldn't say that's disassembling the carb.

Loosen the screws holding the black intake tubes on the left and right side of the carb. Turn carb over & remove 4 screws (1 @ each corner) holding cover on. Remove idle jet. Replace. Reverse steps.

The first time, it might take a person 30 minutes or so. From then on, it can be done in 5 minutes or less if you have your tools ready. It doesn't involve the changing of any settings, mixture screws, etc. It's simply removing a jet and putting a new one in it's place - like changing a lightbulb (unscrew old one, screw new one in, done).

Aaron, my point was that it is something that most people wouldn't want to do without a bit of experience.

You and I know that it is fairly easy!

Anyway, you explained it and I didn't... Just beware that when you undo the four big screws all the fuel in the chamber will be everywhere, unless you drain it out via the drain tap and hose on the bottom of the carb.

Also be aware of the very small black hose that has to be refit onto the bottom of the carb. I missed that one the first time.

Too funny. I was thinking as I was reading, "HA HA! He must live in Colorado." Then I saw where you did. Maybe when the dealer prepped it they didn't adjust the carburetor for altitude.

Right after we moved here from IN my scooter idled like CRAP. It was all I could do to keep it running. I adjusted the idle and changed gas. It was the fuel mixture. I popped in to the dealer and they adjusted it and now I'm fine. Starts up without any throttle, too.