PX 125 sticking going up from 2nd to 3rd gear

[penelopepitstop]

Having a real problem getting into 3rd and 4th gear, it is intermittent but happens more often than not, I've also noticed some sticky black oil on the ground near the engine after parking up, any ideas what the problem could be and if they are related? Also where do you fill the gear box oil, as it isn't obvious? Any help would be really welcome

[sime66]

Possibly and firstly, sounds like a top up of gearbox oil (SAE30); best achieved by a full oil change.
Scooterhelp guide to doing so, here (shows drain and fill):
www.scooterhelp.com/genmaintain/vespa.oil.change.html
Or if you’d rather watch a young German lady demonstrating, here (you can turn subtitles on if necessary):


You might want to keep your old oil in a jar for inspection, on here if you’re inclined to post a photo. If you have a leak then you want to make sure you clean the drain up and use new fibre washers. Maybe give your engine a bit of a clean to make sure it’s just the drain that leaks, or investigate the source.
You might also want to check your clutch cable, and gear cables; adjusting, lubricating or replacing. You can get an idea of what's involved and where they are here:
www.scooterhelp.com/genmaintain/vespa.clutch.cable.html

It might also prove to be more involved than that, but those are a good start before really getting dirty. Whatever it proves to be, rest assured you’ll get the right help here; how much you do yourself is up to you.

You seem to have slipped under the net as far as intros and requests for photos are concerned: an idea of age and condition of scoot, and your experience helps with the advice.

Edit:
Just thought, if you do change your oil, make sure to measure the oil you drain. it might give an idea of problem - should be about 250ml.

[vespasco]

Yeh! All as above ^^^^^^ .....change the oil. Adjust the clutch. Clean the engine to help determine where the black oil is coming from...

[henri]

wickes the builders merchant do 600ml's of sae30 gear oil for 4 quid its in the lawnmower section , an boots/chemists do baby feeding syringes cheap to get oil in through level hole ,you'll def need 1 , ok, the links sime stuck up should help ya ,H

[sbwnik]

I'd not use lawnmower oil, I'd stick with proper scooter designed oil. I used Chatsworth for years, but I've not seen it for a couple of years, but any scooter shop will sell you decent stuff.


At the back and bottom of the engine is a bolt head that will fit a 13mm socket, with another under the selector box. These are fill/lever and drain respectively. Do it on a level surface, use a syringe (I use a catheter ones, ask a nurse or similar of your acquaintance to acquire one for you...) and fill till it starts to run back out of the filler hole. As above, it's 250 - 300 ml

[penelopepitstop]

Thank you all for your advice. I have a vespa px 125 2008 ref which has less than 5000k on it and is in really good condition. I have had the bike for just over a year and am very inexperienced when it comes to anything mechanical but want to learn to do the basics myself. I am going to tackle oil change and clutch this weekend. I found this video on you tube
, he recommends using flushing oil after draining is this a required step?

[sime66]

Nah; just warm the engine up, take the drain out, take the filler one out too, to help things along (have a look at your cables while it's draining?), put your drain back in (new fibre washers), fill with the method of your choice.
Don't know what all that tipping the scooter, flushing oil, running engine, etc. is all about - some of the old-timers might know............?

[vespaskin86]

i had same problem and a top up of oil and tightening my clutch cable solved it, my oil leak was caused because my gasket has worn maybe check your gasket too

[sbwnik]

If it's never been split then the gasket will be fine. Gaskets shouldn't wear, they're fixed in place.

Flushing oil out? Sounds like an American thing, they're full of these ideas they've talked into existence (like never slipstreaming as it'll cause you to seize - no it won't, I've done it for hundreds of motorway miles, happily sat behind a wagon a 55 and saving fuel all the way!)

[penelopepitstop]

Followed your advice, oil changed and gear cables adjusted and the gear problems and leak seem to be sorted, so thank you lots! I have another dilemma, Since I have had a new spark plug fitted I can hear a putt noise intermittently coming from he back of he scooter, perhaps from the exhaust?, could it be something to do with the spark plug or something more serious. The vespa is running really well now apart from this irritating noise

[vespasco]

Check the spark plug and the bolt/s you removed to change/top up with oil..maybe they've become loose.
Its probably just the clutch breather...