strange engine dying issue. help?

[Juarez]

Engine dies out after about 10-15 min drives. Then it dies out more frequently following.

Almost as if it stops receiving the gas it gives. The engine offs and when you feed it gas you can hear it all over the place in the exhaust like a misfiring sound.

Also having a loud clicking noise. Cams?

Also have a exhaust leak at the manifold to 2.
Any one want to take a stab at the source of my engine dying after its all hot and running?

[djape1977]

what engine, what year, electronic or points ignition?

if electronic, problem is likely ignition module

[Juarez]

. Its a 1980 fuel injected. Not certain if its electonic, but I would imagine it would be.

Would an ignition issue cause it to turn off 10 min into a drive consistantly? Why would it wait?

[So Cal Mark]

1980 does have electronic ignition and module failures are pretty common once the module heats up. The exhaust leak could be the clicking noise you hear

[Juarez]

Good to know! Then what would I be looking for specifically to replace the module? Is there a way to diagnose that?

You know I'm glad to hear the exhaust could be the clicking. I have to run that in tomorrow

[djape1977]

easyest way to diagnose is to swap the module

[canadan]

Actually it is not usually the module on the 124, its usually the ignition pick up.
When you pull the distributor cap off you will see the 2 wires are melted together.
How it runs at all is unbelievable.But they do.

[Juarez]

Alright gentlemen. I started the car today after a few days off. It started for 5 min, a bit reluctant if I wasnt feeding it gas until I went through the gears. Died out when slowing down then wouldnt start up again. Its starting but not catching.

Pulled the distributor cap but I didnt see two wires. Is that what you see on the 80 fuel injected

[Juarez]

Tried to start this morning, and its official my engine will not engage. At this point I dont know what to do.

I need diagnoses help.

[narfire]

Spark at the right time
Compression
Fuel

All three make the engine go. So check you have spark...take a plug out and crank the engine... or pull a lead, screwdriver close to a grounded surface.
No spark...why? Dist cap off and rotor off and you'll see the wires to the pick-up. they get old brittle and fail. replace if pooched. Connection at the module, mine is not the best so I've strapped it on. Cap and rotor in good shape, leads good.

have spark... line up all the timing marks... crank mark at the pointer and the holes on the back of the cam wheels lined up with the raised lines on the cam towers.
If so all is good there, if not pull belt , line up all the marks and replace with a new belt (tensioner bearing is a good thing if the original is still on)

All lined up.... fuel check.. I pull the hose off the cold start injector and crank. Be bloody careful as it comes out at 30+ psi, should have a can or bottle and a helper to crank.
No fuel..why filter plugged?
have fun remember FIAT is "fixing it as therapy"
Chris

[Juarez]

Thank you sooo much narfire. I went throught the diagnoses process and most things were checking ou. Timing, fuel, and I noticed my spark was acting funny. Then I noticed bolts missing and los
Ose from my started and its been making this awful noise in that direction. Like a gear grinding noise.