Modern Vespa

My LX-150 has been stalling a lot, and with greater frequency. It is probably either (according to posts on Modern Vespa) a loose fuel line or (according to the auto parts store guy) a clogged fuel line filter. Either way, I'm far from a mechanic who can look at it and I want to try to do it myself.

I haven't found instructions/diagrams/pic on the site to show me where the fuel line is, how to check it, etc. Can someone please link me to whatever information they think is relevant. I'm not a mechanical guy, so the more info, the better.

Thanks.

You can download the LX shop manual from the wikis. Unlikely that the problem is a clogged fuel filter. Unless someone added an after-market in-line filter, the LX has only a strainer at the intake in the tank (so much for taking advice from the guy at the auto parts store). A cracked fuel line could certainly cause the symptom you described, but so could several other problems. Dirt or gummed fuel residue in the carb is one of the more likely. You might try running some Seafoam through the fuel system.

Thanks for your reply. I'll try to find the manual.

I've been using Seafoam for a while, and it made the scooter idle better and seemed to help, but it's gotten much worse. The Vespa slows now (in traffic) and lurches. Yesterday was a little scary, so I'm finally getting my act together.

Check all those vacuum lines around the carb. Even a small crack can lead to stalls.

I'm not sure if you're stateside or not (It's always good to list a location under your avatar), but if so, I'm curious if you have disconnected the evap system on your scooter.

Despite it's noble purpose, the evap system is well know to be more than a bit twitchy and can certainly be a cause of the problems you're describing.

So, I've checked all the hoses, and none of them seem to be loose or cracked. But there is one tube, about three inches long (see photo) that isn't attached to anything other than then carb. A little oil came out, and just the other day, I had to add about a pint of oil. It was too early to expect that. Is that tube supposed to be connected to something.

Excuse my ignorance here. As I said, this is all new to me.

I'm from North Dakota ...just added an avatar (hopefully). I have not disconnected the evap system. I can try that; I saw some posts about it. But I thought that only caused stalls when you idle. Can that cause stalls when you're driving too?

http://www.scootermanuals.us/manuals/Vespa/LX150/LX150Workshop.pdf

That is the connection to the evap system and someone has obviously already disconnected it. You can scratch that one off your list

You can read up more about the evap system drama here...

EVAP Hose Removal

In any case, the whole system need not be removed, all you have to do is disconnect a single hose and try it out for a while to see if there is an improvement.

I bought the Vespa late model from Scooterville in Minneapolis. Only a few hundred miles on it. I guess they did that. But now I'm not sure what else to do. Sigh. I'm going to have to find someone who will work on the engine. I'm not qualified to clean out or adjust the carburetor, which is what seems to be necessary.

Any other suggestions?

I just had a phone conversation with a small engine person. I need to clean out the carburetor. Anyone know of a good online tutorial?

I think we're getting a bit of time travel here again.
When I posted about disconnecting the evap system, the posts about it already being disconnected were not there.
Oh well, I think I'll just finish that cup of coffee I haven't made yet.

JACK buy some SeaFoam at any marine,auto shop or WalMart and throw in a double dose of it then ride the tank down and repeat if needed. It works wonders. Much easier if it works than to start pulling things apart. Good luck

Try the Seafoam first but if you must clean it.
I have some pictures from when I cleaned my Fly 150 Carb Hope they help.
The engines are the same. I think you can do the cleaning by just removing the bucket to get access. It took me about 2 hours the first time I did this so go slow and it will work easy for you. Remember when you go to start it after the cleaning it will take a little while to refill the carb so give it a few starts.

P.S.I carry a can of seafoam and a 1 oz babyfood jar and put an oz in just before every other fillup.