Modern Vespa

Hi there,
my ET4 cut out in a down pour five days ago. I thought I would let it dry out for a few days and now it won't start. The electrics are ok, as in the lights indicator etc work, and I've tried kick starting it but nothing is working. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

many thanks.

Did you go through a massive puddle or something? or have a car pass splashing large amounts of water.

Could have water gotten into parts that shouldn't have water? like inside the carb from being flooded with water...

Yes, the road had a large puddle across it which I went through pretty slowly and it was raining quite heavily. Is it a case of just letting it dry out and just keep on trying to start it?

well think of this...

If water is in the gas tank, your going to have problems.

If water is in the carb, your going to have problems,

If water caused a short of some sorts, your going to have a problem.



If your comfortable checking things yourself it wouldn't hurt to start to look at different problem areas.

If your not comfortable with wrenching your scooter you can let it sit maybe after a day or two it will start...but water in the gas isn't just going to go away with time. so if after a day of sitting and its "dried" out if it doesn't start its time to have someone look at it.

I would start to look at the places that water could have easily gotten into and are easy to work with and start to check them out by taking them off the scoot and opening them up to make sure water isn't puddled in any of them...

Look at when cars try to drive in flooded streets...they stall out...water isn't great on engines of any sorts.

Thanks for your help.

ALOHA and welcome to the forum. I agree get it to a mechanic ASAP because like SCARROLL said the water isn't going anywhere and the longer you leave it the worse it will be. I avoid "puddles" at all costs. Downtown there's a street which floods horribly at high tide when it rains sometimes. I either ride the sidewalk or take the back way in. If your not sure how deep let a car go thru before you but even then i'd go around. Sorry about your scooter Good luck

Thanks again.

Sorry to hear about that, hope you get it fixed soon!

Did it die while you where riding it? or did you stop the engine and then it wouldn't start again?

Just because it died while it was raining, doesn't mean it's moisture related.
Could be anything from a loose HT lead to no petrol...