Odd Sound, Possibly Normal

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evrenosogullari
Posts: 75
Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2020 11:09 am
Your car is a: Fiat Spider 1980 Automatic

Odd Sound, Possibly Normal

Post by evrenosogullari »

Hi All,
Just purchased a Green FI Spider 1980 Automatic Transmission (better for me in NYC where there's lots of traffic) in March, and have brought it back to Brooklyn where I have a small garage that I rent to be able to house it.

Anyway it's been pretty fine technically, except that it needed a new ignition switch and a couple fuses blew a little while back...

Took it to Long Isand for a day (maybe 300mi total driving?) and since, there's been an odd sound coming from the right side of the car (I think it is the front, but could be the back) only when Not accelerating the gas, from about 15mph to 2mph, ie. when coasting up to a red light, and is not affected by turning left/right or pumping the break. Giving it gas makes the sound go away.

Almost like when you put baseball cards in the spokes of a bicycle... not sure if it's a big deal or should be concerned about it

Recording of Sound (mp4):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R428oT ... sp=sharing
18Fiatsandcounting
Posts: 3798
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Odd Sound, Possibly Normal

Post by 18Fiatsandcounting »

That sound is very familiar (but not normal), but I can't quite place it. It sounds more related to the wheels than the engine, so you could lift up the right side of the car and spin both wheels by hand and see if you hear the sound.

It kinda sounds like the debris shield around the brake assembly that could be scraping the inside of your wheel, but that's just a guess. You could remove a wheel and look for evidence (shiny spots).

Lots of other possibilities, but you could have a shop put it up on a lift and look around the drivetrain and wheels and such for something amiss.

-Bryan
18Fiatsandcounting
Posts: 3798
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Odd Sound, Possibly Normal

Post by 18Fiatsandcounting »

On the other hand, here's one solution to mechanical things that make unexplained noises. Rock on, dude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKZTdkvr4qo

Doesn't solve your noise issue, but it does provide some perspective.

-Bryan
baltobernie
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 3466
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:00 pm
Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: Odd Sound, Possibly Normal

Post by baltobernie »

Show her this, next time you're scolded for using the dishwasher as a parts washer :D
User avatar
evrenosogullari
Posts: 75
Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2020 11:09 am
Your car is a: Fiat Spider 1980 Automatic

Re: Odd Sound, Possibly Normal

Post by evrenosogullari »

Thanks for the advice!

Took the Fiat to a guy who put it up on a lift... It seems the emergency break's various cables (emergency break is currently o.o.o) were dangling and scraping against some things... He zip tied them up and it's nice and quiet!
18Fiatsandcounting
Posts: 3798
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Odd Sound, Possibly Normal

Post by 18Fiatsandcounting »

baltobernie wrote:Show her this, next time you're scolded for using the dishwasher as a parts washer :D
Don't laugh, definitely something I might try someday....! 8)

And to the OP: Glad you figured out the source of the noise.

-Bryan
scrapironchef
Posts: 155
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:06 pm
Your car is a: 79 Spider
Location: Richmond, CA

Re: Odd Sound, Possibly Normal

Post by scrapironchef »

baltobernie wrote:Show her this, next time you're scolded for using the dishwasher as a parts washer :D
My wife still hasn't realized that the ultrasonic cleaner I bought for he jewelry is large enough to hold a carburetor.
SteinOnkel
Posts: 1000
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 9:31 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider 1800

Re: Odd Sound, Possibly Normal

Post by SteinOnkel »

scrapironchef wrote:
baltobernie wrote:Show her this, next time you're scolded for using the dishwasher as a parts washer :D
My wife still hasn't realized that the ultrasonic cleaner I bought for he jewelry is large enough to hold a carburetor.
Link, please :)
scrapironchef
Posts: 155
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 3:06 pm
Your car is a: 79 Spider
Location: Richmond, CA

Re: Odd Sound, Possibly Normal

Post by scrapironchef »

SteinOnkel wrote: My wife still hasn't realized that the ultrasonic cleaner I bought for he jewelry is large enough to hold a carburetor.

Link, please :)
I picked mine up used, but there are whole bunches of them all over ebay in various sizes. One feature I'd want on my next one is a drain.
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