I was parking and put the car into reverse and all of a sudden a cloud of smoke rises from under my hood?? (Oct 03 MCS) I thought it looked liked some overflow spilled onto the heat shield of the radiator fluid...not sure. Then yesterday It seemed to do it again!

Not sure what to make of it. I got scared with the first one but it does not seen to be repeating since the 2nd one. I will be making an appointment for servicing soon.

 

That doesn't sound good. Can you have someone sit in your car and put it into/out of reverse while you are standing outside looking under the hood? You might better see where the smoke is coming from.

Also, did this only happen when the car was "hot" (i.e., after driving a while)?

 

Yes it was 'hot' and did not happen after immediately starting up.

If I can get it to repeat I will at least have more to say to the dealer. I will try to have someone look under the hood as I pull back.

 

Wow! October '03 is pretty new.

But seriously, have you got a new overflow tank yet? If you've already had the tan one installed then maybe the trouble is the water pump gasket. Either way, take a good long look at your coolant level before driving further.

 

>>Wow! October '03 is pretty new.>>

Yeah almost as new as a 2004 MCS, eh Vespa?

Ken

 

It is recommended to be doing less than 30 mph forward speed before enguaging reverse gear.

 

and make sure the clutch is in

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>>It is recommended to be doing less than 30 mph forward speed before enguaging reverse gear.

Ok OK just triple checking... u HAVE to be completly stopped before engaging reverse right??

 

No, actually you dont :smile: You can do it at about 5 mph - I've done it a couple times on a somewhat busy street near here with perpendicular parking against the road :smile:

Erik