VespaGT - another problem: tube loose & smoking

[Paivi]

I rather fear my poor little scoot's on its last legs.

It's been running just fine until this morning, when all of a sudden, the oil light came on and it lost power. I got it started immediately and it ran for about 100m until the warning light came on and the power went, again. I also heard a couple of loud bangs..

We then limped to the garage just up the road, where the oil was checked and found to be just where it should be, but there was an obvious water leak instead, which allowed the engine to overheat.

It's booked in for a check-up in ten days' time; in the meantime, apparently, I can carry on riding but before each ride, I'll have to top up the water. Or just take the Duchess out from her hibernation.

What kinds of problems is the mechanic potentially going to find? And what kind of money might we be talking about, in the worst case scenario? The pump etc are only 1.5 yrs old and the rest of the bike about exactly four, so it should still have plenty of life left.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[Kickstart]

Hi

Depends where the water leak is. Could be a blown head gasket, in which case riding it would be a pretty bad idea. Leak on the seal on the water pump just leaking to the outside would have no great issues.

Not sure why your oil light came on, unless it is really a general light to say something is wrong.

All the best

Keith
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[divuk83]

Where was the water leak coming from? The usual place is from the filler cap on the header tank.

My old runner (same leader motor as the GT) had a few problems with the water pump. Is there a rattling noise from the pump at all? If its dead then one of the two pipes coming off it will be a lot cooler than the other if the water is not being pumped through.

I would get it checked out ASAP as big reapairs can be pricey on 4 stroke scooters. I had a big service/full rebuild on mine last year than cost about 500 squid, would have cost me a lot more if I had just left it to get worse

Dave

[Paivi]

The head gasket is a 1.5yrs old as well. I seem to remember that was a couple of hundred quid, which is one of the most expensive things on a scoot, so I think that'd possibly then be the worst case scenario. Even then, I'll have to start thinking how much money do I want to throw at a four-year-old scoot, which is only worth about a grand, if that... May be time to cut my losses...

When I stopped the bike, a small puddle was quickly forming on the floor, and when the mechanic revved the bike quite hard, a fair bit of smoke was coming out, so he said it's probably a leak but he needs to remove the panels, etc to get access to see where it's coming from. Hoping it's only a seal... But just to be on the safe side, I think I'll be commuting on the Ducati for the next couple of weeks. I don't know what the consequences of riding a scoot with a blown head gasket are, but I doubt they're good.

I was a bit puzzled about the oil warning light, too, as it had only had its 24k service a few weeks ago, but as the oil was OK, it may be a general one.

Which takes me to my second question: if the bike's not worth repairing, what do I do to get rid of it? Should I try to sell it for somebody who's more mechanically minded and would like a cheap bike, or scrap it, in which case, how would I do that? Would I want to salvage anything first?
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My other bike's a Monster...

[Paivi]

Difficult to say where it's coming from, as the panels are in the way, but looking into the engine bay from the right hand side, it seemed to come from the bottom right and down below. I.e., if you're looking into the bay from the rear, from around 1 o'clock.

No noise from the pump, which is good news as that was an expensive repair job in 2006: I paid all in all just over £1,200 to have engine, clutch, gearbox and waterpump rebuild due to negligent servicing and repairing by Scooters Etc in Farm Lane, Fulham who were claiming to be authorised dealers, but weren't.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[Kickstart]

Hi

Blown head gasket would mean it would rapidly use water (which would likely go out of the exhaust as steam), then overheat and probably warp the head even more, or if you continued to ride it with no water probably a seizure. Fixed rapidly it would be a new gasket (probably with a light skim of the head to ensure it is flat), left a bit and likely to mean a replacement head. Basically pretty much worst case scenario.

Head gaskets are not really wearing items. 1.5 months, 1.5 year or 1.5 decades makes little difference.

You really need to know where the water is going. That the exhaust is "smoking" suggests (depending on the colour of the smoke) that it might well be leaking into the head and disappearing as steam.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Paivi]

It was black smoke and it was coming out of the engine bay, from the area where the puddle was forming, so not from the exhaust.

He told me to top up the water before each ride, but I think I don't want to risk that.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[divuk83]

Could still be the water pump as thats roughtly where your describing the leak as coming from. I would take it to the garage and get them to have a check over and give you there opinion as to whats wrong with it and how much it will cost before carrying out any work.

I had a water pump that lasted just over a year, the seals leaked and the impeller blade came off. They are very fiddly to repair and re fit. It can be easier to buy a compete water pump housing with all parts pre fitted from the factory. I think it was about 80 squid and saved me a few quid on labour due to it being pre assembled. Water pump has been fine since then.

Dave

[Paivi]

Thanks, it is booked in, just wanted to get some ideas as to what I could possibly be looking at. I think the Chelsea Scooters guys are OK, so I don't think they'll be ripping me off and replacing parts that don't need replacing, but just wanted to have bit more of a clue. But, looks like it could be a variety of things, so I'll be at their mercy.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[Cigaro]

If you do sell, what engine size is it? I'd love a vespa.

[Paivi]

It's a GT125 and I love it to bits, so am hoping it's something fairly cheap to fix. Temperamental little bike, but at least I know every quirk now, so am not looking forward to getting a brand new bike and go through the learning curve.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[divuk83]

Go for a GTS 250, you'll not regret it as they are cracking little scooters.

Dave

[Paivi]

Phew, all it was was a blown thermostat, causing the scoot to overheat. With MOT and labour, it came to £100, and is now good for another few years.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[Paivi]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Pipe looks likely to be the feed from the thermostat (clean black thing it is attached to) back to the radiator. The other pipes have clips while that has a clean jubilee clip where it has been removed / replaced.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Paivi]

Thanks Keith!

So, if the thermostat was replaced by the garage on Monday, this loose pipe is down to them not fitting it back properly?

Was not impressed, as the Duchess was booked for tyre fitting, so I had to take the train and the Drain. Feels like I've done a full day's worth of work already...
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My other bike's a Monster...

[Kickstart]