Fiat Spider Coolant Flush

[heynamesmike]

Hi Everyone,


I just purchased a 1976 Fiat 124 Spider and it looks amazing for its age. It runs and drives very good but I would like to drive it much more but I am scared because of the car overheating. The temp gauge usually sits around a little more than half. How do I do a proper coolant flush in my car and what type of coolant do I use? Can I just use regular Prestone coolant with distilled water? It seems like the previous owner used more water than coolant and that is prob why my car is overheating.


Also, previous changed the Idle speed to 1.8kish because the car seems like its wants to die and bog when you drive it then put it in neutral at a stop. So how do I fix this? PS: I am so completely new to this platform, it is all new to me. I came from a Honda Civic.

Update- My neighbor checked the Idle and bogging problem, he said it could be a vacuum leak and my starter is also going out because the car would not start and there is a new battery.

[707kevin]

Around 1/2 way on the gauge is fine, right? somewhere on the 190 mark? The fan shouldn't kick in until you get the the 0 of the 190 mark. You're safe unless it's pegged out or in the red.

Any phosphate free coolant that is aluminum safe will work. Which is pretty much all of them these days. Distilled water is a great choice as well. Really cuts down the calcium deposits and other junk.

The idle speed is probably set high because previous owners are notorious for completely missing the point of a well tuned carb and choke. What carb do you have? does it have coolant lines (2) on the firewall side? If the car is cold and you take the air cleaner off (engine off) what is the position of the choke plate before and after you step on the gas pedal once?

The idle problem could be a vacuum leak, so don't rule that out, but make sure the choke operates properly. Soo soo many carbed cars have an incorrectly set idle to compensate for the owner not knowing how to adjust everything else.

As far as the starter, don't buy a new one yet.
What happens when you try to start the car? Click Click? Slow rotation that sounds strained? Does it start fine with jumper cables? If the battery is new double check the connections, at the battery, and especially on the starter, where the battery cable attaches. You'll need to jack up the car and get under there. Goo d time to check the ground strap from transmission to body, and the clutch pedal adjustment as well.

I just got a 75, and it's just an awesome little car, even if it is beat up a bit.

[707kevin]

Sorry, forgot the most obvious part to check for no idle below 1500rpms.
On the side of the carb, is there a small barrel shaped part with a single wire connected to it?

Like this? (not mine)
http://s217.photobucket.com/user/gaspyd ... 5.jpg.html

[stuartrubin]

I can't believe that I actually know something that might help:
That part with the single wire is the idle fuel cutoff solenoid. Basically when the ignition is on, it allows the idle fuel to flow. No ignition, no idle.
I had a problem with mine that caused my car to stall whenever I idled, or even let up on the gas.

There is a very easy test to see if it's working: with the ignition on but without the engine running, disconnect and reconnect the wire. You should hear a click each time it is plugged or unplugged.

It was trivially simple to replace and cost about $25. There are two sizes (maybe more), so make sure you get the right one.

I have all kinds of carb issues, including possibly a badly setup water choke, so I'll be following your thread.

Good luck!
Stuart

[707kevin]

Yes, test the solenoid. If there is no click, make sure you actually have 12v to the wire connected to it. If yes, and no click, replace it.

You can also modify it if it's broken so that it no longer shuts off fuel so you can set up the carb and test things while you wait for the new part to come in.