Vespa S 50cc will not start

[beardylondon]

Hi All,

New here and after some help please.

We have a 2009 Vespa S 50cc, which has sat unused for many years.

I've read various forum posts and watched many youtube videos for info, but I still cant get the bike to start, and so far I have:

Drained old petrol, and filled up with fresh
Obtained new battery, which is fully charged
Found ignition switch is faulty, waiting delivery of new one.
Fitted brand new NGK BR8ES spark plug

I cleaned the contacts on the ignition switch and I found if you hold key at certain angle, the dash lights up and the starter motor kicks in, but it doesn't start.

Probably best I wait until new ignition switch is fitted, but is there anything else I can try?

Thanks in advance!

[alan34]

Hello there. You need to strip carb as if scoot has been stood jets in carb will need cleaning .the first two things to check are does it spark at the plug and is carb clean then check is petrol getting from tank.good luck cheers alan.

[beardylondon]

Thanks.

I fitted the new ignition switch today and that’s solved that issue.

I squirted some easy start down the spark plug hole and it ran for like 2 seconds before stalling, so it does sound like the carb.

[beardylondon]

I am still having issues, have read a lot of how to guides, and threads but am now stuck.

Symptom: Stood for 5 years, and would not start

Vespa 50s, with PHVA carb

Work so far:

Replaced ignition switch.

Brand new battery which I keep charging after all the false starts.

Replaced fuel and vacuum lines
Striped carb and cleaned it, replaced:
Main jet
Idle Jet
Bowl gasket
Float and needle jet

Petc**k was old and not working, so I replaced with cheap one, which leaked and did not operate correctly. Now on second one, different make, which definitely works and pulls fuel from carb when attempt is made to start.

Flushed petrol tank, new E5 fuel

Replace in line vacuum filter, have tried it with and without that

Original E choke not working, tried an aftermarket one, but didn’t seem to do anything, so tried a manual choke, which I have switched back and forth.

It has started, but revved very high and I think it was because the throttle cable was not installed correctly on top of carb. Have corrected that, still wont start.

I have tried fiddling with mixture screw, 2 - 3 turns out, and idle screw too.

Any ideas?