Resident Gentleman
![]() --------2008 LX150-------- Sold
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Posts: 5045 Location: Brady, TX |
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What a bummer! I'm glad you weren't hurt and that help arrived quickly. I hope the repairs won't need to be too extensive or expensive.
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Ossessionato
![]() 2010 GTS 300 Super "Yukihime" 2013 BV350 "Silvar""
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Posts: 2494 Location: South SF Bay Area |
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Scoot in ICU (intensive crankcase unit)
Benny, I am glad you are okay, and sad that your new scoot is suffering.
I am hoping that the problem is just a temporary ischemia (that means restriction of blood) of oil and not requiring crankshaft bypass. In any case, your story has made me add 'check dipstick tightness' to my weekly tire air pressure and brake checks list. |
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Ossessionato
![]() Scooterless at the moment
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Posts: 2840 Location: Brooks, Alberta, Canada |
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Who'd have thunk it, A dipstick on the highway screwed up your day,
If I'd heard that without knowing what you have been through, I'd have thought just another day on the highway. Hope everything works out fine for you, Seriously...Bernice is crying, Are you sure you are ok? (Bernice is Benny's former scooter, Which is now my scooter) Dave |
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 Vespa LX 190, 2011 LXV150ie
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Posts: 8758 Location: Annapolis, MD, USA |
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
![]() 2007 Vespa LX 190, 2011 LXV150ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8758 Location: Annapolis, MD, USA |
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Geez, Benny... that really sucks! Really glad you made it to the side of the road safely.
You've bought enough scooters from that dealer... they should cut you some slack if there is any question about warranty coverage. |
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Oh man, sorry to hear about your scoot.
I am glad to hear you made it out of what could have been a very sticky situation unharmed! Sending some calming mojo your way Benny. |
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Ossessionato
LX150, GTS300(black & white), GTS300(red)
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Posts: 2467 Location: Menifee, CA. (Land of the Dirt People) |
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Ossessionato
![]() LX150, GTS300(black & white), GTS300(red)
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Posts: 2467 Location: Menifee, CA. (Land of the Dirt People) |
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Molto Verboso
2007 GT200 1979 P200E 1980 P200E 2011 Triumph America
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Posts: 1269 Location: Sacramento |
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Molto Verboso
![]() 2007 GT200 1979 P200E 1980 P200E 2011 Triumph America
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1269 Location: Sacramento |
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Yikes! Sorry to hear that Benny. I'm going to check my dipstick right now and often! Glad you're okay!
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Sorry to hear about your Super, Benny.
But I'm Super glad that you made it out without any injuries! |
Addicted
![]() GT200, Honda GB500, Honda CB400, Honda C70 Passport, 1999 Harley Dyna, 2002 Suzuki SV650s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 695 Location: New Orleans |
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Sigh.
My wife lost the water in her BMW convertible and didn't notice until she stopped on the interstate. The car was 10K miles out of warranty and BMW still gave her a new engine. Of course I had to pay for shop time, which wasn't cheap, but it did save my ass a whole bunch of money. Good luck and i'm going to walk over to the shop right now and check the dipsticks on all of the bikes. At it is 2 AM!!! |
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Moderator
![]() 2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
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Posts: 16296 Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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Re: Scoot in ICU (intensive crankcase unit)
BleuBelle wrote: Benny, I am glad you are okay, and sad that your new scoot is suffering. I am hoping that the problem is just a temporary ischemia (that means restriction of blood) of oil and not requiring crankshaft bypass. In any case, your story has made me add 'check dipstick tightness' to my weekly tire air pressure and brake checks list. I waited around the dealership long enough to hear the new symptoms from my engine. They filled the oil, they said it was completely empty and put a new dipstick on in hopes that all was fine. Once the engine was started up, you could hear this loud clanging noise I've never heard before. It wasn't pretty. The mechanic (who I do trust) said that at a minimum it is a connecting rod that is bent to make that noise. But again, they didn't have time to drop the engine and crack it open yesterday and will probably have a better idea once they do on Monday. Please cross your fingers with me that there isn't extensive damage and that they can fully fix it. I believe they will try to do this under warranty for me, but again, I won't know for a while about that. I would prefer my new engine back in its prior state, but I guess that isn't possible. ⚠️ Last edited by Benito on UTC; edited 1 time
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Moderator
![]() 2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16296 Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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JimmyTwoNutz wrote: Thanks everyone for your kind words. I haven't bothered to tell my non scootering friends, they just think I'm crazy for riding on the highway and don't think much about scooters. But you guys all understand. |
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Moderator
![]() 2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16296 Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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DougL wrote: I'm worrying about the power loss. Loss of oil, temp goes up, seize. This is the worst case scenario. My local scooter dealer (Not So Modern) has a little scope that can look inside the cylinder to see if there is any damage. Fingers crossed that there is no damage and you got it in time. I had the same happen to me but realised something was up before I lost oil pressure. What a mess the GTS makes when it dumps its oil all over the engine bay. ![]() $400 though! Here |
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I am positive that an aftermarket dipstick would not be the cause of this failure. My loss of dipstick was due to the original Piaggio one not being properly tightened at PDI. I am 99% certain that the failure was caused by someone not tightening it properly and not by the use of the Jettin one. This should be a big warning to all of us Vespa riders. Check your dipstick, especially after servicing, a largish capacity single cylinder will eventually vibrate the stick loose.
I would not be happy with an engine repair on such a new scooter. A new engine might be the cheaper option on a warranty repair, as there might be much unseen engine damage. Just make sure that you tell them that the dipstick itself cannot be the cause of the problems. I'm sure that no-one here has had reports of failure or loosening. Otherwise we'd all know about it by now. If the engine has suffered complete oil starvation, many things could be affected, including the valvetrain and the bearings. Most likely that it is just your piston and the bore. That will become clear later, hopefully, when the dealer looks at the engine. Any mechanic worth his salt, will be aware of what to look for. Surely a dealer would have some sort of liablity insurance for such an error made by one of their mechanics? If they didn't tighten the dipstick properly after filling the oil reservoir, then it is they who should be liable, and not Piaggio. If this had come loose on your way home from a service and you had an accident due to loss of traction from an oily rear tyre, they might have had a lot more to cough up from their liablity insurance. My dealer admitted full responsibility and replaced the oil and cleaned up the bike. I know of a Harley rider who had a service done, the dealer hadn't done up the sump plug properly and it lost its oil at high speed. He got a new engine out of it. You have had scooters for a long time with no problems so it is therefore not likely to be your mistake. I wonder if there is any argument whether there might be case for legal redress? ⚠️ Last edited by DougL on UTC; edited 3 times
Positive
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Ossessionato
![]() PX150 Serie America, T5 Classic, Harley Iron 883
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Posts: 2396 Location: Minneapolis, MN |
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this bites - hope the fix is covered under warranty and your back on the road soon/glad you were able to get off the ride safely too!
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Ossessionato
2012 BV 350
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Posts: 2091 Location: Vestavia Hills, AL |
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Is the warranty voided by changing to an LV pipe? I did not think a simple dipstick modification would void the warranty, especially if service work was performed by the dealer.
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I once started my scooter without the dipstick in. My garage and car were covered with oil!
Glad your safe and hoping the Super isn't critical... |
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Moderator
![]() 2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
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Posts: 16296 Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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stickyfrog wrote: Glad you made it out of traffic safe. I bet someone stole your dipstick. There was another time in the past when I got one of my bikes home after a service and I went to wash it. I noticed that the dipstick wasn't turned at the usual angle so I checked it. It hadn't been fully tightened. I caught it that time and tightened it right up. |
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![]() 2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
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Posts: 16296 Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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ScooterGirlinAL wrote: Is the warranty voided by changing to an LV pipe? I did not think a simple dipstick modification would void the warranty, especially if service work was performed by the dealer. I am hoping that they will do the right thing for me this time. They are going to crack that engine open, I hope they check every single thing. I am really worried that the damage will be extensive. I really hope that they will replace the engine with a new one. I suspect that as DougL said, it will cost more to fix fully and properly than replace it. As well, oil is probably all over the place inside the engine in places it was never meant to be. There could be damage there. As well, there are items that were probably stressed by the engine running without any oil as it had completely drained and probably went quickly once the dipstick fell out. How will I ever know that those pieces aren't damaged in a way that could cause future problems but not yet show up in a way that one could see or measure? |
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Apart from being a bit messy, the oil all over the place in the engine compartment might actually be a bonus. When the engine comes out they will be able to clean up any excess gloop from around the compartment. The bonus will be that oil is water-repellent and will stop connectors and metal from corroding. One of my old mechanics had a classic car which was rust free. Unusual for British Leyland steel bodied vehicles from the sixties. Every time he did an oil change, he would use the old engine oil to coat the underside of the car. Very messy, but very effective!
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![]() 2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
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Posts: 16296 Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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OK that is the one bright side argument I've heard so far Doug, thanks for that. Perhaps my Super will be one of the only ones that will be able to withstand a Toronto winter without rusting out the underbody. I saw the amount of oil everywhere on the underside and everything else, it basically drenched the poor thing from the floor boards down. That is one way to rust proof a scooter.
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Wow, I'm just catching up. Sounds terribly unlucky about the dipstick. I hope it turns out with only minimal engine damage.
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Moderator
![]() 2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
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Posts: 16296 Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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I just got an email from the owner of the dealership. They are totally the best! They are going to get me a new engine! I cannot be more happy today, that is so awesome. They have really done well for me today. I guess there is a good reason that I have bought four Vespas from them along with all my mods and a lot of my gear. I guess it pays off to be a good customer and build a good relationship with your dealership.
I really want to thank everyone here who offered support along the way too. It was stressful but I'm feeling much better now! Motoretta Eurosport, Doug Goss, I want to thank you sooo much for taking good care of me yesterday and now with this incredible news today. Thanks for your awesome customer service, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your service and concern for my well being. ⚠️ Last edited by Benito on UTC; edited 1 time
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Benito wrote: They are going to get me a new engine! I cannot be more happy today, that is so awesome. They have really done well for me today. I guess there is a good reason that I have bought four Vespas from them along with all my mods and a lot of my gear. I guess it pays off to be a good customer and build a good relationship with your dealership. ![]() ![]() |
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Moderator
![]() 2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
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Posts: 16296 Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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Yes Doug, and I will now add checking the dipstick tightness to my pre-ride check up too. I hope others here will do the same.
Thanks Motoretta Eurosport for coming through for me. |
Moderaptor
![]() The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Posts: 44549 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA |
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Molto Verboso
None. Maybe again someday when Michelle won't worry.
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Posts: 1632 Location: Tulsa, OK |
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Molto Verboso
![]() None. Maybe again someday when Michelle won't worry.
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Posts: 1632 Location: Tulsa, OK |
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![]() 2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
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Posts: 16296 Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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Stanny wrote: Happy Ending! I am so glad you have such a great relationship with your dealer. |
RIP
Moderator
![]() 2006 PX 150 & Malossi Kitted Malaguti Yesterday (Wife's)
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Posts: 12955 Location: Paros Island, Greece |
RIP
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Glad to hear they are taking care of you. I check my dipstick more frequently now since JimBo had the same thing happen to him a while back. Would of never really thought of it had he not had it happen. when will you get your scooter back?
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![]() 2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
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Posts: 16296 Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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Hopefully as early as next week? In the meantime I'll give my LX 150 some lovin. 8) I haven't ridden the poor thing since my Super arrived. I bet the LX is furious at me and hates the Super.
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Congrats Benny! Someone was definitely watching over you when it happened. Whew. Getting another engine is awesome too. It's nice to see good things happen to good people- and a stand up dealership too.
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
![]() 2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
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Posts: 5707 Location: Santa Cruz California |
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Great news!!
I don't know why I flashed on your dilemma this morning when I was out cycling but I was thinking you should push the deal/piaggio for a new engine. YOu mentinoed that a rod or something was bend and I'm thinking how does something get bent when you run out of oil unless something siezes. An then, every action has a reaction so what bent the rod. An then I'm wondering what else might have happened in there when it got too hot... Glad your dealer is workimg this otu for you. Best Miguel |
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jimc wrote: Excellent news Benny, and well done Motoretta Eurosport. ![]() Nominated as dealer of the year by Benito, seconded by jimc and props from me too ![]() Motoretta Eurosport, Toronto |
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That's amazing news Benny- but not surprising. Doug and the folks at Motoretta rock! I'm so glad it's a good resolution- and think about the fun you'll have breaking in a new engine....
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jimc wrote: Excellent news Benny, and well done Motoretta Eurosport. ![]() (No point to be original when someone else has said it best) |
Sir Frets-A-Lot
![]() Vespa GT250ie/L, Honda Ruckus 50, Honda NT700V, Honda CB125
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Posts: 11197 Location: Bee eff eee. |
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That's pretty fantastic, Benny, glad that it's gonna work out well. Hopefully that engine will be in there liketty split.
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