Stumble and Backfire

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tartan18
Posts: 505
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:58 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Lebanon, Oregon

Stumble and Backfire

Post by tartan18 »

For the past week my engine would stumble every once in a while -- just a quick and occasional slight "hic-up" while driving steady at 35 mph. Today it stumbled again but this time there was a single backfire (exhaust) then everything was normal. I have a 1975 with Mark's Computronix ignition system and a Empi DFEV 32/36 carb. Until now the engine just purred. Any suggestions on what I should do to diagnose this problem?
Jim MacKenzie
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
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SLOSpider
Posts: 1140
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:10 am
Your car is a: 1973 124 Spider 2.0FI
Location: Lompoc, Ca USA

Re: Stumble and Backfire

Post by SLOSpider »

Check to make sure your carb is still bolted down tight. While its idling you can grab the carb and try to wiggle it around and pull on it straight up. If the idle changes at all its loose somewhere at the base. check plugs and make sure they are not fouled.
1975 124 Spider
1976 Mazda Cosmo http://www.mazdacosmo.com
1989 Chevy k5 Blazer
1967 GT Mustang Fastback
User avatar
tartan18
Posts: 505
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:58 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Lebanon, Oregon

Re: Stumble and Backfire

Post by tartan18 »

Carb is tight (no leaks) but I did replace the plugs. Old plugs were heavily sooted which indicates a rich mixture. I've adjusted the idle mixture (a bit more lean) so hopefully this corrects the problem. Unfortunately I will be away from home for the next week so I won't be able to do anything more until I return.
Jim MacKenzie
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
So Cal Mark

Re: Stumble and Backfire

Post by So Cal Mark »

you may need a smaller low speed jet. Adjusting the idle mixture will only help at idle speed
User avatar
tartan18
Posts: 505
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:58 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Lebanon, Oregon

Re: Stumble and Backfire

Post by tartan18 »

Is the lower speed jet also called the Primary Jet? I can't find a low speed jet on my DFEV diagrams. What size jet should I order? I bought it from you, Mark so I don't know what size is in the carb now. Here is a pic of the plugs I pulled and replaced yesterday.

Image
Jim MacKenzie
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
So Cal Mark

Re: Stumble and Backfire

Post by So Cal Mark »

#3 doesn't look too good with those deposits. It may be pulling some oil past the valve seal/guide
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