How about some help with this summer's TO DO list

KensSpider · Post by **KensSpider** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:09 am

Hi folks!!

Thanks to a spat of nice weather, I actually have been putting some miles on my little yellow '75 Spider. I have some minor concerns & could use some sage advice on what to look for. (I'm pretty new at Fiats, so please be gentle ...)

1) There's some amber-colored fluid leaking from the area of the rear axle. I believe I read about a brake valve that is prone to leak back there ... is it easy to replace? Or, maybe something else?

2) Driving along there seems to be a fair amount of play in the steering. Seems like I can move the wheel about a half an inch or so in either direction without anything happening. Something minor or an adjustment I need to look at? Or does it sound more serious (which would mean I'd probably have to find someone to work on it as my suspension knowledge is somewhat limited!)

3.) She starts and runs fine, but seems to have a kind of lumpy idle. Doesn't die at idle, just rough. But kind of a slow rough. Hard to describe. Sorry. I am already planning to replace the coil (looks really bad!!), spark plug wires, and plugs this summer anyway. Perhaps that will help. I was also thinking it may be time for a carb rebuild. The last time I did that was 30 years ago on the 2 carbs on a '63 Corvair convertible!! Is the Fiat carb pretty straightforward??

4.) I'm planning on changing the oil gauge sending unit as it generally reads about 0 most of the time (plenty of oil, no red light so I don't suspect anything more serious than the gauge). Sound right?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

Ken

bandit · Post by **bandit** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:36 am

Hello Ken

To Check the leak i would jack up the rear, if you have a floor jack
you can place it under the center of the Diff / punkin and lift the car
it's simple and easy to do place jack stands on both ends of the Diff
Ax housings and lower till rested then have someone push the brake
for you and see but most likely you'll see a wet spot in the general
area where the leak is coming from .

Replacing the sender is a good ideal but most of the time these older
spiders tend to read low oil pressure so that might not change your
reading .

The Steering can be tightened up with an adjustment that is on the
Box under the car if you have done something like this before
it shouldn't be to difficult if not i'd take it to a profeesional i am sure
it will not cost much to adjust this .

The Carb on a 75 is a ADF and its a great Carb easy to rebuild
while its apart make sure the brass inlet and outlet tubes are tight
these tend to work loose over time and have been the cause of
many engine fires .

Rough idle can be caused by many things like low compression in
one or more cyc dirty plugs Carb out of adjustment Dizzy Cap and
rotor in need of replacement or maybe a combo of a few of
these combined really if you add up the parts listed above its less
then $100 to change them out on your own maybe its time for
a complete tuneup ??

Hope this helps

Daniel

manoa matt · Post by **manoa matt** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:47 pm

A half an inch either way should be good for steering wheel free play.

If I can recall correctly the fiat factory service manual states that you want 1 inch of free travel before you feel resistance or the wheels start to turn.

Matt

KensSpider · Post by **KensSpider** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:31 am

Thanks much ... I appreciate your ideas and help!!

Ken