78 1.8 extremely rough HELP!

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Oag13

78 1.8 extremely rough HELP!

Post by Oag13 »

My 78 Fiat has a 1.8L 2BBL Weber carb .
Im living in winter weather currently. I just got this car and it hasn't been ran 7+months. The car starts right up in 40 degree weather no problem. Idles ok when it warms up, and Revs up ok no problem and will run forever idling, but the moment i drive it 5mph+ it'll misfire and back fire like a mother! The more gas i add while driving, will only make it worse and slower. Can't go faster than 15mph. I Cannot go up a slight hill. This car is just not having it. Occasionally it'll die when trying to drive and WILL NOT start at all! It'll crank and crank but will not start. I have to wait untill its completely cold and it'll fire right up no problem and purr like a cat. I dont understand what's happening. The previous owner said it ran perfect until one day it started doing this, so he didn't drive it and sold it to me.

The plugs were slightly wet. So is it all because its running to rich maybe? I sprayed a whole can of sea foam in the carb and it fixed the idle slightly. I can also smell gas in the oil. So possible all the seals are dry rotted? I replaced all plugs, air filter, oil change with castrol oil and Lucas oil stabilizer, and fresh gas with some sea foam..... Also i have an oil leak out the back of the engine somewhere. Its either the distributor seal or the rear main, i wonder if blue devil oil stop would work for that problem?

Anyone know what is going on? Or what needs fixed? I think the carb needs rebuilt.. Please help point me in the right direction
AriK
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 1148
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 7:58 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider
Location: Montreal Canada

Re: 78 1.8 extremely rough HELP!

Post by AriK »

Normal idling and misfire and no power during driving are the symptoms of a skipped timing belt. I would start with removing the spark plugs and test for compression.
At this point the miracle in a bottle solutions won't do anything for you.
So Cal Mark

Re: 78 1.8 extremely rough HELP!

Post by So Cal Mark »

have you checked the point gap? or replaced the condensors?
131
Posts: 672
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2010 1:13 am
Your car is a: 1982 131 Superbrava warmed 2.0 litre.
Location: Tasmania, Australia

Re: 78 1.8 extremely rough HELP!

Post by 131 »

With the engine off, take the lid off the aircleaner. Looking down the carb throat, does it squirt fuel into the carb when you move the throttle? A stuffed accelerator pump diaphragm can give similar symptoms to what you've got.
Mick.

'82 2litre 131, rally cams, IDFs & headers.
Oag13

Re: 78 1.8 extremely rough HELP!

Post by Oag13 »

*UPDATE* Checked the timing, it looks ok. So now i think the carb needs rebuilt?
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