Sputtering then stall

[Jzagro]

Hello, I recently have had trouble with idling and basically keeping the engine running.

I checked the fuel filter and it was nasty so I changed that out. That was the first time I had changed it since owning it. I've had my spider for about 5 months now and put less than 25 miles on it cause its the winter.

I put in the new fuel filter and got it running again. This time when I start it up, the engine shakes and when I don't give it any gas, it struggles to stay on for a bit then dies. I checked the carb after it died and there was still a little gas pooled at the bottom.

Could this be a timing issue? Something else? If anyone has a solution to this problem please let me know! Thanks.

[Jzagro]

Also. The first time I started it up when I gave it gas, It would spit something out of the carb. I think it was gas but im not sure. When i turned it off after that, there was a small white cloud floating in the carb.

[Jzagro]

Add on: When it runs, it shakes and when it turns off, it spits gas out of the carb.

[AriK]

There may be a clogged screen filter at the inlet of the carb. You also may have a malfunctioning idle stop solenoid depending on your symptom (it shouldn't idle at all unless you're on the gas pedal). It's a small cylinder screwed into the side of your carb with a single wire (maybe green?) leading to it.

[Jzagro]

Where is the screen filter infront of the carb? Is that the fuel filter? The silver cylinder towards the front of the carburetor?

and if it is my idle stop solenoid, is there a way i can fix it? or where could i get a new one?

[Jzagro]

Also, when I let it sit for a bit, I start it up and it runs just fine. I let it idle for a bit then it begins to sputter. I believe it is flooding itself for some reason. Could this be the float levels? When I turn it off, it spits a drop or two of gas from the top of the carb and looks flooded on the inside.

[AriK]

I would assume that you don't have a timing issue just yet because of your recent discovery of a "nasty" fuel filter. The crud could have worked its way to the fuel screen inside the inlet of the carb (labelled as #4 in the diagram). Being a 78, your carb may be the Weber ADFA. If your screen is plugged up, it's likely that the crud has gotten into the jets as well. You may want to get to the source of the problem by cracking open the top of your fuel tank in the event of rust contaminated gas.


The idle stop solenoid (#76) can be unscrewed and inspected/cleaned.

This is a helpful guide from Brad Artigue concerning the ins and outs of these cars. Section 18 helps you with identification of your carb.
http://www.artigue.com/fiatcontent/Arti ... 124_MM.pdf

[Jzagro]

Thank you very much for this. This diagram will be very helpful for the next little bit.

[Rupesy]

Here is my guess. I had the same problem, you are flooding. You should be able to keep it running with a wide open throttle. When you go back to idle, you are dripping too much fuel which is why it stalls. When you turn the car off, gas continues to drip into the carb which is why you see the puddle. I fixed my issue by purchasing a rebuild kit. My original needle had a rubberish tip on it and it was hard so it wasn't sealing when the float bowl was full. The rebuild kit has all the gaskets and new all brass needle and seat. The carb is simple and easy to rebuild in no time at all. My 2 cents!