Long Road Trip and Some Mechanical Prolems

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shmoky
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed May 25, 2016 10:17 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 Pininfarina
Location: Chetwynd B.C. Canada

Long Road Trip and Some Mechanical Prolems

Postby shmoky » Thu Sep 21, 2017 2:10 pm

Just finished a long road trip. From northern B.C. down into Washington to the Grand Coulee Dam. Then onto Pendleton and down to John Day Oregon. Cruised around John Day for a day on some really fun windy roads. Then over to Baker City and up to Joseph and Orofino, Idaho. Wanted to spend the night in Orofino but the fair was in town and not a room to be had for 40 miles. So, carried on to Missoula, Montana. Then straight north thru Kalispell (wanted to do the “Road to the Sun”, but the road was closed due to forest fires) and up to the border crossing at Roosville. Finally, up thru Alberta and over to B.C. to home. A total of 3752 miles from start to finish.

Had some minor mechanical troubles. 2x had to weld up the exhaust after I thought it was repaired before I left home. Pretty minor in the scheme of things.

With all the rattling (37-year-old car) I had one of the exhaust manifold bolts come loose and it was leaking exhaust into the cab of the car. Midas muffler couldn’t/wouldn’t fix it as couldn’t get a new gasket. So, had to drive it home another 600 miles breathing the fumes all the way. Both the wife and I are recovering from the fumes.

The biggest problem was whenever I was gong down a long hill and using the engine compression to slow me down (keep speed under control) for any length of time (1-2 miles or longer) the car would start to run VERY rough upon acceleration. Also, it smelled like it was flooded or over fuelling. We could smell a lot of fuel in the cab of the car. It would hesitate and stumble, fat and pop unless I put the “go” pedal to the floor. Wife said it sounded like a machine gun. LOL If I let off completely or stopped it would stall and I would be on the side of the road. It would then not start for 15-45 minutes. Turned over fine just wouldn’t start. Couldn’t tell if it just wasn’t firing or flooded so bad it couldn’t fire. Waiting the 15-45 minutes let it clear the fuel (I guess) and it would start although reluctantly. Any of you Gurus have any ideas as to what my problem could be?

Over all a great trip with lots of new country to see for both the wife and I.
Chetwynd, B.C. Canada
1980 Pininfarina Spider 2000
Sold: 1968 Corvette Coupe BB to buy the Spider

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nelsonj
Posts: 394
Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:37 pm
Your car is a: 1972 Spider 124

Re: Long Road Trip and Some Mechanical Prolems

Postby nelsonj » Thu Sep 21, 2017 4:01 pm

Sounds like you have a great wife!
Image
Simi Valley, California
Spider 1800
Romans 10:9

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phaetn
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Your car is a: 1974 Fiat Spider 1800
Location: Ottawa, ON Canada

Re: Long Road Trip and Some Mechanical Prolems

Postby phaetn » Thu Sep 21, 2017 9:42 pm

Sounds like flooding or fouled plugs to me. The farting and popping is unignited fuel/air that ignites in the exhaust rather than on the power stroke. It will still suck in a lot of fuel air (and oil if valve seals or guides are sloppy) during lift off because of the negative pressure.

Sounds like the "Italian tune up" of flooring the car under WOT cleans up the plugs.

Check if your mixture screw is right (too rich on idle?). Also, carry some spare, clean (and properly gapped) plugs in your pocket. They \might get you started right away rather than having to wait 30+ minutes.

Cheers,
phaetn
1974 CS1
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ORFORD2004
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Your car is a: 1983 PININFARINA
Location: Sherbrooke, Qc, Canada

Re: Long Road Trip and Some Mechanical Prolems

Postby ORFORD2004 » Thu Sep 21, 2017 11:11 pm

Adjust your throttle position sensor.

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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Long Road Trip and Some Mechanical Prolems

Postby RRoller123 » Fri Sep 22, 2017 8:27 am

ORFORD2004 wrote:Adjust your throttle position sensor.


+1 on that. Probably still putting fuel into the intake rather than cutting the injectors off when you release the throttle.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
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2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
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shmoky
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed May 25, 2016 10:17 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 Pininfarina
Location: Chetwynd B.C. Canada

Re: Long Road Trip and Some Mechanical Prolems

Postby shmoky » Sat Sep 23, 2017 5:42 pm

Thanks for the input. I will have to check a few things out I see. Of course fix the exhaust leak first. Have to wait for the parts and that will take awhile so will post when I have some answers/results.

shmoky
Chetwynd, B.C. Canada
1980 Pininfarina Spider 2000
Sold: 1968 Corvette Coupe BB to buy the Spider

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Long Road Trip and Some Mechanical Prolems

Postby architect » Mon Oct 02, 2017 8:47 am

nelsonj wrote:Sounds like you have a great wife!

+1 :D
78 Fiat 124


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