Spider running rough

[larrybarone]

Prior to pulling the fuel tank for repair the engine ran rough .Had to hold/pump the accelerator for a min for the car to run without shutting off. When running ,there was poor exhaust .
I think the car sat for quite a while with the previous owner without being run. My question is when I get the fuel tank back from being repaired will using a higher octane gas and a can of fuel injector cleaner help it run better.
I'm probably going to have it tuned up once I do my interior work ie carpets dashboard etc...

[Fi8spider]

It's common for engines that have sat around for a long period of time to have sticking piston rings, meaning they aren't moving/sitting in the groove correctly. It happened to me on my spider when i stored it away for about 5 years, on my 1100 that hadn't been started since 1996 and recently on my 131 which hadn't been started since 2008. In the case of my 131 I tested the compression before starting it for the first time and if i recall all pistons were no better tha 90psi. After running it for a few days and then retesting it cold they were around the 120psi mark.

As you mention, it takes a little for the engine to run on it's own this could be the time needed for expansion ring to start expanding. My 2 cents, put your tank in and give the motor a couple good runs with fresh spark plugs and oil to try and loosen things up a little before you go pulling things apart.

[So Cal Mark]

higher octane fuel won't help or cure any problems. Using the lowest octane fuel the engine can run on will make the best power. If the car has been sitting, more than likely the various circuits in the carb are restricted with varnish.

[zachmac]

Mark,

Unless the poster was using FI cleaner to clean out the system regardless of aspiration I am guessing he has no carburator!

Jeff

[wikkid]

Except, Mark, he has an '84, so it's injected. But agreed on the octane rating of the gas.

Injector cleaner won't help - it may loosen some gunk that would then flow in and clog the tiny openings in the injectors even more.
Get a cleaned up tank with good, fresh gas in there and a clean filter, get it started, let it warm up fully, and run that good gas through there, with some good, high rev's once really warmed up. Needless to say, good, freshly changed oil and filter as well!

Old gas may have gunked up the injectors, crud from the old tank may be in your lines and even in the fuel pump. All these things you can deal with later, as long as you get the car running ok to start with.

[majicwrench]

Quality inj cleaner will indeed help with inj deposits. Most of the stuff you buy at parts store is snake oil.
Ford used to make a product that was very good, expensive. NAPA Cleen is good stuff and affordable. Just don't expect miracle from any of the products.
Keith

[larrybarone]

Thanks for the help . Questions though, change the oil and gas filters and the plugs. What gap for the plugs and is there a certain brand that works better for the spider.I have not rec'd my owners manual yet .

[So Cal Mark]

sorry for the carb reference, I skimmed the text too quickly but varnish will affect the injectors just as it does a carb. I've seen several cars with injectors completely clogged from sitting.
As for injector cleaner, I feel Techron is one of the best but if it were mine, I'd pull the injectors and have the cleaned and flow matched

[zachmac]

Witchhunter injector cleaning service (http://www.witchhunter.com) is an excellent vendor. I've used them on several projects / cars including Luigi. They will check flows and completely refurbish your injectors very reasonably and with quick turn around (no affilliation). You'll get them back looking and working like brand new ready to install with a before and after data sheet to boot.

[wikkid]

Another injector cleaning service: http://www.okinjectors.com/
You can send them the whole rail, and they will break it down, do the injector service and re-mount the injectors with new fuel lines - saves a lot of headache. Also no affiliation, although I believe they are pretty well known by the Auto Ricambi folks.

[Fi8spider]

Thanks for the help . Questions though, change the oil and gas filters and the plugs. What gap for the plugs and is there a certain brand that works better for the spider.I have not rec'd my owners manual yet .

Hi larrybarone, we missed your question.
Spark plugs. Um, well yes - certain brands being better than others? Well that's a debate I wont enter into as I feel its a matter of whatever brand and heat range works best for you in your engine.

As a guide.
Here are the brands and numbers from my Brooklands manual - Fiat Spider 1981 - on:
Champion: N9Y
AC: 42XLS
Bosch: W7D
Marelli: CW7
Fiat: 1L4J

A resistored plug is recommended. If you find the same number in a particular brand with the letter R in it then that'll mean it's resisitored.

Plug gap (resistored): 0.7-0.8 mm (0.027-0.031 in.)

NGK and Autolite are brands worth considering amoungst many others.

[Spiderinmlnj]

Check that all the air hose connections are good.
Air getting in past the AFM can show as symptoms you mebtion.

Geoff

[larrybarone]

In anticipation of my gas tank being ready this week I am gathering evrything I need for Oil change. I assume 4 quart capacity I have some Spectrum oil sae 10w30 is it ok to use?,A low profile oil filter Item #26008( for air conditioned fiat spiders)is avail on line at http://www.International auto parts.com. for 5.95.
I also want to change the fuel filter,also available at Intl auto parts #0450 for 14.20. They also recommend changing the tank filter . My question is where are these two filters located .A picture would help.....

[courtenay]

If you do a search on oil, you will find a whole bunch of opinions on what the best to use is. My reading of the stuff suggests oil with a high zinc content is important. I, and many others, use Castrol 15/40 for Diesel engines as it has the necessary zinc additives.