Bringing Spider back to life

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Indyandy

Bringing Spider back to life

Post by Indyandy »

I have a 81 spider turbo. Been sitting for at least 10 years. Last year I managed to drain the fuel tank and clean it out. The engine is free and I would like to get it running. I will replace the fuel filter first, but how do I clean the rest of the fuel injection system. Should I just run fresh clean fuel through it or is there an additive I can use?
TX82FIAT
Posts: 1814
Joined: Mon May 03, 2010 11:04 am
Your car is a: 82 Fiat Spider 2000 CSO
Location: San Antonio

Re: Bringing Spider back to life

Post by TX82FIAT »

There is a product called BG44K fuel injector cleaner that auto dealers use often. It cost us about $30 bucks a few years back so I can only imagine it is more expensive now. It is supposed to restore original flow and spray pattern for fuel systems. It can be inserted directly into the fuel rail but the instructions are to add it to the tank. I've used it on a 75K mid 93 Mustang with an inline 4. I think it was 2.3 L. The car had sat for about 4 years behind my neigbors house when I lived in PA. It was a topic of conversation... "hey Mike, when are you going to get that Mustang running". So he actually called me to get the thing running. After changing all fluids/filters and giving it a quick tune up we were able to get it running very very rough. Verified all we knew about the car was correct and figured old gas left in the lines along with other contaminents from sitting outside was a logical possability. We added the entire can of the stuff with 10 gallons of new fuel. We ran the car for about an 30 minutes in the driveway and the engine settled down "a little". We then took it on the road just driving around the neigborhood at low speed for about 30 minutes. When we pulled in with the car still running i was very suprised by how smooth the engine was running. The next week the car was re-registered to the neigbors kid and the car passed PA state emmissions.
Buon giro a tutti! - enjoy the ride!

82 Fiat Spider 2000
03 BMW M3
07 Chevy Suburban
wizard124
Posts: 752
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:27 pm
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider FI
Location: Sheridan, WY exSan Rafael, CA

Re: Bringing Spider back to life

Post by wizard124 »

Indyandy wrote:I have a 81 spider turbo. Been sitting for at least 10 years. Last year I managed to drain the fuel tank and clean it out. The engine is free and I would like to get it running. I will replace the fuel filter first, but how do I clean the rest of the fuel injection system. Should I just run fresh clean fuel through it or is there an additive I can use?
I havent done this but this is what i would do first. You said you drained and cleaned the fuel tank. Add a gallon of fuel with some fuel system/injector cleaner mixed in. At the fuel pressure regulator, dis-connect the feed and return fuel lines and connect them together with a barb fitting. Jump the fuel pump directly from a spare battery and let the fuel flow through the line for a good long period.
With the battery disconnected, separate the feed and return lines. With an air nozzle, blow the return line clear. Pump the tank empty by catching the fuel in a container at the open feed line in the engine compartment. The old Filter can be replaced (after catching existing crud) now. You would also have a visual indication of the fuel pump performance (pressure test it if you can).
At this point, you have validated the fuel delivery system up to the pressure regulator and havent pumped crud into the fuel rail and injectors.
abcman3000

Re: Bringing Spider back to life

Post by abcman3000 »

I'd replace all the rubber tubing. 10 years is not a joke.
Indyandy

Re: Bringing Spider back to life

Post by Indyandy »

Thanks for the replies. I think I will run fresh fuel though it using the pump. I am a little worried about the injector orings. Should I be? What about the injectors, should they be removed to clean or can I just run some cleaner through them?
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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: Bringing Spider back to life

Post by RRoller123 »

OK Injectors does a great job of refurbishing them!
'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
abcman3000

Re: Bringing Spider back to life

Post by abcman3000 »

I guess it's always better to remove the injectors
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