Oil Filter

[charlielucky]

I have a problem finding some common parts for my 81 spider 2000 here in France. Fiat didn't sell the 2000 here until the 1982 Azura version was released. The upshot of this is that none of the car part dealers can find my car in their computers. I'm embarrassed to ask but can somebody give me the reference for the oil filter on my car. I could just show the old filter to the dealers but I have a doubt about the "mechanic" that did the oil change 6 years ago. He mounted the thermostat upside down which makes me think he was not very conscientious. I'm pretty sure the garage put the wrong oil in the gearbox because 80w90 GL1 oil is very hard to find here in Europe. Thanks for your help.

Charlielucky

[18Fiatsandcounting]

The brand I use is Wix 51189. I can't say that this will fit all Fiat spiders, and the issue seems to be if the car has other accessories like air conditioning. I just rebuilt a stock '81 spider engine (no A/C) and used the 51189 filter and it worked fine.

I would think your auto parts store could cross reference this to what you have available where you are.

-Bryan

[charlielucky]

Thank you Bryan for your information. One more thing, there are a few specialist oil companies here that supply GL1 gearbox oil. I can buy SAE 90 easily enough but 80W90 GL1 oil is hard to find. Can I get away with SAE 90 GL1 oil?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Straight 90 weight GL-1 is probably fine. What you don't want is a GL-4 or GL-5 oils as these contain additives that are corrosive to the brass synchronizers in the Fiat transmissions. That being said, there are numerous opinions as to what oil works best in a Fiat transmission. I have always used GL-1 although the transmission does get a bit "notchy" when really warm.

-Bryan