Modern Vespa

I've had my MP3 for 2 trouble-free years now, but on my way to work, it stalled 7 times. It started right up just fine and it took about 30 minutes into my hour-long drive to work before it started stalling. But once it did, every time I stopped at a light, the rpms dropped below 2000 and it stalled. Once I got it to my parking garage at work, I parked it and there it sits until I can figure out where to take it...

Here's the problem. The dealer I bought it from went out of business, so I called the only other dealer in town. He proceeded to tell me what a piece of shite the MP3 is, how unsafe it is, how many mechanical problems they have, etc... He seemed very reluctant to even take it to work on it! He said his shop doesn't even sell them anymore because they are so problematic. Needless to say, I was taken aback. He chastised me for not doing my homework before purchasing it! (Although I did join this forum and read extensively about it prior to purchasing...It seemed that the number of satisfied MP3 owners far outnumbered the dis-satisfied ones.)

But, I digress!

I found a Yamaha dealer that has "some knowledge" of MP3s, and I think I will take it there. I just feel a little freaked out by this whole experience. Has anyone had their local dealer verbally bash their MP3?? What's up with that?? Should I try to truck my bike a couple hundred miles away to the next nearest Piaggio dealer, or take my chances with the Yamaha guy?

The dealer has issues and I would stay clear. If you called about a stalling problem on an MP3 250 it is the same engine and drive train as 250 Vespas and the problem would be the same on any of them. If he knew anything he would have done the same trouble shooting as one of the vespas to solve stalling.

Maybe a reset of the ECU before taking it in? You disconnect the battery for 10 min or so and then re-connect it back up. The ECU could have gotten confused somehow.

"local dealer verbally bash their MP3?? What's up with that??"

What's up with that is that he doesn't know how to work on an MP3. Forget him.


Probably the standard advice for your problem from this board is:
1. Clean and re-oil the air cleaner filter
2. Clean the throttle body
3. Change the spark plugs

Anyone who is any kind of motorcycle mechanic knows how to do all this. You want to take your book for the MP3 with you to the Yamaha dealer. It will show him where to look for these things on an unfamiliar MP3. He may not need it, but why not have it along anyway.

I don't know so much, but all the guys who do seem to be sleeping right now and are not offering any help. Maybe when they come around they will have other, better suggestions. But these are easy and
obvious things. If you know someone who is handy with a wrench and you trust him, he can do these things. He may take a little longer. If he screws this stuff up, it won't leave you in a dangerous condition. It just may not be any better.

Good Luck

Go Steelers!!

Thank you--I will try that! I've spent this evening reading the various threads about stalling MP3's, and I am convinced that an ECU reset and then removal of the evap cannister are the way to go. I am not a mechanic, but there are some very detailed descriptions of how to do this. If those things fail, I will take it to the Yamaha dealer this weekend...

LOL!

I can have my bro or nephew help me try these things as well as the evap canister removal and ECU reset... after all, my brother did teach me how to tune up my car 20 years ago!

And I'll bet the Bro knows how to iron a shirt, too. Good for both of younze!

Here's something that will tell you about that throttle body and the by-pass.

Forget about that antagonistic, idiotic dealer whom chastised you about your choice of ride. He is complaining because he knows not even half of what the members here in MV knows.
Have faith and you can find answer to almost all of your problems with the MP3 here and almost all of the problems can be resolved without much headache.
I for one have been in fear 3 months after having the MP3 as the dealer here was very new and little knowledge of it. after I found MV, I was able to even rectify minor problems that crop up every now and then.
3 cheers to MV and all of its regulars. BTW my MP3 is 33 moths old now.

Throw some techron fuel injector cleaner in the tank, a tablespoon should be good. How many miles on the same plugs? How many miles on the odometer?

If you use techron fuel injector cleaner, there are two different ones. Find a store that has both and buy the more expensive one, will cost about twice as much as the other one, but it is a much stronger formula.

Since I see you are from the Cleveland area as I am, I suggest you take your MP3 to Norwalk Vespa (Tester Ford) as they sell and service MP3s, but first try some fuel injection cleaner as my MP3 400 was stalling and after using the cleaner it was fine. If you need information about Norwalk Vespa, PM me and I can let you know more. They are nice people to deal with.


Darrell

There was a same problem, here in Greece with stalling 400s. The problem was solved after a software update.

(The 250cc quasar engine is being used by a lot of different scooters (Piaggios and Peugeots) and it is really reliable. I wouldn't trust that guy if i were you..

To the point now, what is your mileage? I have ridden 7700kms (4785miles for you) in 7 months and I never faced any sort of stalling issues.

The software update shows up on the U.S. vendor system but their password won't allow installing it as it has not been approved by the U.S. environmental protection agency. My dealer tried to install on my 400 and went to Piaggio USA for help when it would not install with their password. This was their reply.

maybe this will help i did have stalling issues with my 400/500 and at the last service i changed the sparkplug for a NGK CR9EKB and its gone didn't stall anymore

Maybe athensscooterco.com can help out . Good luck
They have the parts, and maybe know of a shop to find the gremlin.

My MP3 250 was cutting out at random intervals and starting right back up. We found it to be a wonky kill switch.

I suspect there could be many reason for it, however mine was doing the same, I put 100ml of fuel injecter clean in the tank (full) and took it for a long road ride, problem solved.

Hint:
For best results you want the fuel injector cleaner in the system as long as possible. It's best to use injector cleaner when you are doing lots of short trips, that will allow the motor to get up to full operating temp. This allows it to soak into and soften the deposits you are trying to remove.

Thanks. For the hint makes sense also I have been told to place the cleaner in at every 5000km to get the fuel lines clean

My MP3 stalled out for a while after I moved to 4 rollers. (It has since stopped.)
The first time it stalled, I was in an intersection and it was a bit dangerous. I later found that if I very lightly pulled the rear brake lever, I could start the bike back up while it was still rolling. Pull just enough to start the bike but not enough to engage the brake and start you slowing.
That does not solve your problem but it is worth knowing just in case.

I´ve had a problem with stalling a few times. Every time it was down to the battery, either being on its last legs and needing a replacement or the connection wasn´t screwed on to the terminal properly.

Are you still having issues with your Mp3? My mp3 250 ie has been in the shop here in AZ since November 19 2011, it was purchased brand new in august 2011. I have the same issue you have. My mechanic said since I was riding the bike every day he can not understand why the bike does this(stalling). He is a Piaggio and ducati vespa dealer too.