Changed: '81 restoration

[dbr]

Hello! I recently bought a 1981 fiat spider and the battery light on the dashboard was red. A couple of days ago I went out to turn it on and it wouldn't start. I tried jump starting it today but it still wont start. I also recognized that there are two metal pipes inside the car on the left of the driver's seat that started to leak gas. I know I am not low on gas. Any ideas on why it will not start and how should I fix the gas leak?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thank you

-Dexter

[RRoller123]

Those 2 metal pipes running along the left side of the driver's seta are the fuel delivery and return lines from the gas tank in the trunk, and must be replaced immediately, that is a very dangerous situation. You can see where they merge with rubber fittings after passing through the firewall, and also in the trunk near the tank. Use new clamps too. The carpet will have to be pulled up and the rear seat removed to gain access to the lines. All the vendors carry the lines, Auto Ricambi, Allison's, and IAP are recommended generally by people on the forum. Good luck, it is not a terribly difficult repair once you get going on it! The rear seat bottom is a snap in/out, and once it is out, the 2 screws holding the top in place will become visible. I think you will have to remove the driver's seat too, it comes off the slide rails by the removal of 4 allen head screws. Move the seat forward and backwards all the way to gain access to the screws.

[dbr]

Thank you RRoller123 for the advice. So just to double check I clamp the rubber fuel lines and then replace the metal lines. After I have replaced the metal fuel lines I can then unclamp the rubber lines. Right?

Could this be causing the problem of the car not starting? If not I think I will then check my sparks.

[RRoller123]

First thing to do is immediately disconnect the battery. Yes your sequence sounds ok, but check the rubber lines, they are likely perished as well due to age. Probably just replace the entire lines from tank to engine. I can't say about the starting because I have no knowledge in that area, sorry.

[4uall]

I had the same issue

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... +gas+lines

[dbr]

Thanks for the help.

Just to double check these are the measurements for the tubes I will need, right?:

- 5/16, 8mm metal tube
- 12mm rubber tube for between tank and pump
- 5/16 rubber tube for all the rest of the rubber tubing

Thanks ounce again for the help!

[dbr]

I was just recently told that I should use 7.5mm rubber tube from the fuel line to the injectors. Has any done this or can I just use 5/16".

Thanks!

[MrJD]

whatever you use, post it up. I have to replace my lines also. I am planning to run one continuous line from the tank all the way to the fuel pump, and then from the carb back to the tank (2nd line). In other words, eliminating the metal line and the weird mid-lines.

So, post what you use and I might order teh same. Maybe vandor will jump in here and comment.

[dbr]

I finally got my metal fuel line and took out the old on with the rusted hole in it. The only thing is that I recognized that my old metal fuel line has a bump at the end of it where it attaches to the rubber line. My new metal fuel line doesn't have that. Is it necessary? If so what is the best way to make a "bump" on the end of the metal line?

I also recieved my 12mm rubber fuel line from IAP. I will be replacing the old one from the tank to the pump.
I found out that I am able to buy 5/16" rubber fuel line from NAPA. But the only challenging one is the 7.5mm, which runs from the fuel rail to the injectors. I called AutoZone and they said that they could match it if I bring a sample of the 7.5mm line. We'll see!

[spider2081]

If your fuel leak was in the line feeding the injectors it could cause a starting problem. The fuel pressure in the system should be close to 40 lbs. A leak could reduce pressure enough that injectors would not work.
Here is site you can check how close the metric hose is to inch measurements.
http://www.convertunits.com/from/mm/to/inches
example 7.5mm 0.2953
5/16 0.3125
so 7.5 mm hose is slightly 0.017 of an inch smaller than 5/16 inch.
I use a little silicone spray lube on the fittings before sliding hose on. Heating the hose end with hair dryer also helps

[dbr]

So I have finally received the supplies I need to replace the fuel line, but I had one problem. The little fitting that on one side attaches on to the metal intake fuel line and on the other side attaches on to the rubber line which leads into the fuel rail has been destroyed. A couple of the fiat parts companies didn't think that the piece was necessary and that I could just attach the rubber line on to the metal line like normal with a flare and clamp. Has anyone done this before? Is the fitting necessary?

Thank you in advance!

[dbr]

Well, here is an update.

I replaced the entire fuel line from tank to fuel rail. So I got to finally pull the car out of the garage and try starting it up…but…NOTHING. It didn't start.

I know my fuel pump is working since I can smell gas in the engine bay after I tried starting it. (I dont know it this is good or not) I didn't see any gas leaks. So my next real dilemma is trying to find out why it wont start. The battery is fine. I checked it with a volt meter and it was at 11.5V. All the lights work. I don't hear anything from the sparks. I am not sure if I should be or not. Oh, the new thing is that when I take the keys out I hear a beeping sound that lasts for about 3-4 seconds. It didn't do this before I am not sure why it is doing it now.

I find it hard to believe that all of my four sparks gave out at ounce. How can I safely check to see if they are working?

Any thoughts on why the fiat wont start?

[76was124]

You may want to start by checking for spark. Remove a spark plug and with the spark plug wire connected, rest the plug tip on a metal part of the engine and turn the key to crank the engine. You should see it spark. Repeat for other spark plugs (one at time removed).

Also check to be sure the connector on the sensor that is located in the coolant T at the front of the engine is clean. This controls the cold start injector which is what first provides fuel to start the engine. The cold start injector is at the front end of the intake manifold, by the fuel rail. It has a partial blue plastic body on it. You can search the forums on how to remove/ test it.

[narfire]

Pop the top off the dist. There are two wires in there that dry up and disintegrate over time. If one is severed, car won't run.

As a side note, if the fuel lines were pooched, have a good look at the fuel lines from the rail to the injectors. Might want to replace those before long with the proper 7.5mm hose and proper fuel line clamps (not standard hose clamps). And...a tip... orientate the clamp screws so you can tighten them when it is all back together..
Chris

[4uall]

This might help as well

http://wwwe.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... ze#p119993