Dies at warm idle

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looker44
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 8:43 pm
Your car is a: 81 FI 2000
Location: Dallas, TX

Dies at warm idle

Post by looker44 »

81FI, runs great, until my last couple of outings when I get to operating temp, let off gas And engine dies. Generally I can clutch start, but last few times, I was at stop light. Tough to push start in my hillless town. By key, engine turns over but chokes out.

Raise hood for 10 min cool down, starts right up. Drive 10 min then same issue of die when let off gas
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RRoller123
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Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Dies at warm idle

Post by RRoller123 »

Try loosening the gas cap and drive it and see if the same thing happens. Better yet, when it happens, hop out immediately and loosen the gas cap and listen to see if there is any rush of air going back into the tank. The pressurized fuel system is sealed, and if the venting back from the charcoal cannister is blocked, the gas tank gets no makeup air. There are of course many possible causes, but if this is the particular cause, it is a very easy one to diagnose, quick and it doesn't cost. So worth checking.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
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Odoyle
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:06 pm
Your car is a: 1983 Pinafarina Spider
Location: CA

Re: Dies at warm idle

Post by Odoyle »

Many possibilities as stated above, could be a clog in the fuel vapor recirculation system, check valve under rear axle worth looking at if not done. Next best guess is intermittent operation of magnetic pickup module. I had a problem where heat caused internal resistance to increase causing the car to not start warm. Can test the resistance to check, testing during non op would confirm.
looker44
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 8:43 pm
Your car is a: 81 FI 2000
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Dies at warm idle

Post by looker44 »

Always look at electrical!!! ended up being a mucked up connector to ignition switch. When engine got to temp and fan kicked on, voltage dropped to about 9v (I had lights, radio+Amp running too). Replaced connector and wire then all good to go.
User avatar
RRoller123
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Dies at warm idle

Post by RRoller123 »

Fantastic, a quick fix!
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
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