Running Issues

[WarbirdAL]

I have 2 1977 Spiders and both of them are now infected. The first one does not idle and after about 5 minutes of driving refuses to run until I let it sit for a few. Now the 2nd one is starting to do the same thing. It starts well and accelerates like a Fiat should but when you let off the gas it starts bucking like an old horse. And then it won't idle. there is also an unusual smell from the exhaust. Sort of reminds me of a smell I used to smell back in the 70's when I worked at a gas station when the unleaded cats came out.

Too bad we dont have scratch and sniff here. Anyway, any thoughts out there?

thanks

Alan

[seabeelt]

Find a couple of blonds (one for each car) They usually have those things in their purse

[majicwrench]

Idle cirecuits on these carb are often causing issues. You have a soleniod that can fail, and a tiny jet that can plug.
Idle (low speed) jet also has a lot to do with part throttle and cruise, so when plugged they do tend to buck like crap at slow speed cruise.
Keith

[maytag]

Al:
what carb are you running? I have a known-to-be-good 34ADFA here we could swap over and see if that solves your issue... and then you can use mine while you have your carb rebuilt !

[WarbirdAL]

I am not sure which one, it has coolant lines attached. They are both the same looking carb. I will try to get my magnifying glass out and check. I appreciate the offer Dan! I dont want to have to take the car to a shop and never see it again for months. I was hoping to drive it this weekend for our Fiat drive thing. PM me for your address and I will drop by and take a look at yours and see if it looks similar if so I would love borrow it to see if that is the issue, then I would solve 2 car problems!

[WarbirdAL]

Well thanks to this forum and all your comments I fixed both Fiats today! I couldn't believe it was that easy. Both cars has clogged idle cutoff solenoids. A little spray of carb cleaner and a clean rag and voila! Both Spiders are purring. Man I been researching this issue for days now, reading as many of the posts on here as I could about the carb. I even took a short course in Italian Fiateese and read the carb manual. Studied it out in my mind and there it was. Check the solenoid idle jet.

[maytag]

woohoo!
that sounds like Majigwrench called it on the nose, huh?

[WarbirdAL]

Got that right Maytag! Thanks Majicwrench!

[124Germ]

So the first time I take the convertible to work I start having this same issue. I will take a look at it today, but the only problem is that I have no idea what model carb I have. It’s a '72 with the 1608; from what I have researched is that I should have the DHSA carb (stock), but could have been swapped out by the PO. I know I have the original air box on it.

If anyone has pictures of where the line is that needs to be blown out, that would be the best.

Thanks everyone for all the help.

Jeremy

[majicwrench]

Not the greatest pic, but pointing at the jet holder. Remove it, small jet right behind it, usually comes out with jet holder. There is same thing for secondary on other side of carb in same location. Jet has TINY opening and plugs often.
Keith

[124Germ]

Thanks for the pic, now I hope it applies to mine. I will have to take a look at it when I get home unless it is something I can do in the parking lot at work.

Any idea what Carb I am suppose to have on a 72 1600?

Thanks
Jeremy

[majicwrench]

It will apply to your carb. Carb number will be on base. Should be a DHSA methinks. You can do it anywhere, don't drop jet into gravel
Clean surface under car is important.

[124Germ]

Well I was able to take one side off, didn't have a right angle screwdriver for the other side. I will take care of it when I get home, at least its only about 4 miles. Is there anything I can do to prevent the colg from forming in the first place, maybe an additive? Normally I only drive it on the weekends on nice days, normally ride my motorcycle to work.

I was pretty easy, but the down side is that the o-ring split when I took it out and I don't have one here at work. Just another thing I need to pick up; may as well pick up a few of them if they clog easily and could be using a bunch of them.

You really are a Majic Wrench, thanks
Jeremy

[majicwrench]

Takes a short screwdriver to get em out easily. Jets plug from whatever, fuel drying in bowl can do it. Not fond of additives. I carry stuff so I can do it on road, my 72 plugs at the darndest times, I have sealed tank, replaced lines still does it a couple times a summer. Worse this year, cause it went so many months not running, when I pulled carb top off was lots of dried flacky fuel.
Keith

[124Germ]

That is exactly what I found on the Idle side, but it sure didn't seem like much. I guess the jets clog easily, took some compressed air and blew out all the holes. Worked like a charm, back to normal idle on the way home.

I still plan on taking care of the motor side jet to be on the safe side. plus I will start a tool bag with all the needed items incase of roadside problems. Now to take care of the slight hesitation at WOT (bogs then kicks in), only does it once during the initial trip and doesn't do it again until the car sits for a bit.

Thanks again.
Jeremy