New member in Alexandria, VA

[jsdieter]

I'm 16 and a 1978 spider is my first car. I do a ton of work it and my friends help me a lot. when i got it it didn't run and i have done a lot to fix it up. some one gave me their spider that was beyond repair and has soo much rust to have as a parts car. I soon realized all the emissions equipment had been removed by a previous owner. It has an ansa exhaust and i got a free flow air cleaner for Christmas. I plan on painting it in the spring using duplicolor paintshop. right now i have a problem with the choke (i think it is the choke). When i start the car the engine will run at about 2500 to 3000 rpms until it is warmed up. Once it is at about 170 or 180 degrees i punch the gas and it drops to a normal idle. after that there are no problems with the engine.

[4babycar]

Welcome from a fellow Va spider owner. I too got my first spider at 16 and have been hooked ever since. I can't help with your current situation but you will find many helpful and generous experts here that will guide you through any situation you may encounter.

[rlux4]

Welcome to the forum. I have a daughter your age who wants my Spider for her first car.
I love her of course, but give my Spider away? I don't think so.
Post some pics of your car for us to admire. Before and after is always good.
Ron

[2ndwind]

Welcome. JS. Didn't get my first spider till now at 52. Never too late or too early. I don't think your cold idle is all that high.. If you don't get a response from a more informed person here, post it in the engine section of this forum.

[ga.spyder]

Welcome to the forum,its nice to hear from a younger owner.I agree,it sounds like your choke is working.The cold idle may be a little high.Try to post some pix of your car now,and then after your dupli color respray.I have looked into the paintshop system and it looks like a good,inexpensive way to get some color on the car.Good luck
Craig

[baltobernie]

Hello J.S. and Welcome!

The DC area is home to the largest collection of Fiats outside of SoCal. Nobody has been able to figure out why, given the amount of salt they use around here!

Check out http://www.dcfiats.org for info on the local club. No dues, no secret handshake, just a great group of folks who enjoy driving their cars.

You're arriving at an opportune time, as the first 2010 event occurs shortly. It's not yet on the website, but the pizza party is in Gaithersburg on January 17. You'd have the opportunity to gather info on local parts sources, Fiat-trained mechanics, and other owners nearby who can lend expertise.

[jsdieter]

I've actually been in the DC fiat club since February when i got the car. I have always wanted to do one of the clubs activities, but every time one come up something breaks. Its always something that needs new parts too. First the center bearing on the drive shaft, then then timing belt which took me like 3 weeks to get the timing right, the top rips, clutch cable snaps in rush hour traffic. its always something that seems to take at least a couple weekends for me to fix.

[ga.spyder]

From the guys I have met in DC Fiats....you couldnt pick a better spot to bring a car in need of parts or repair!!
Craig

[baltobernie]

I have always wanted to do one of the clubs activities, but every time one come up something breaks.

I hear ya, but even the club President had a failure during an event (my ride ). Lots of folks have showed up in their daily drivers while their Spiders are in hospital; co-pilots are always welcome, and navigators ... well, they're priceless!

[jsdieter]

Is it bad to drive the car while it is still doing the cold idle thing? Thats really surprising to me everyone i talked to thought the choke had a problem. Thanks for all the help.

[ga.spyder]

Shouldnt hurt it a bit.I usually let mine warm up to temp before driving it anyway.Good luck with the car.
Craig

[racydave]

You might have a problem with the adjustment on the choke. At cold start, It should rev fast, and the butterfly should open a little to let some air in. After it runs for 10 to 15 seconds, you should be able to poke the throttle a little to alow the choke to open a little more, and slow down a little. After approx 5 mins the choke should be warmed enough to poke it again to be at a normal idle with the choke off. Of course right now in the single digits temp wise, this all may take longer. Hope I did not confuse you, and maybe you can figure it all out. But we're happy you joined us here! Good luck, and please do not be shy!!!

[geert]

I couldn't think of a nicer and better first car ( technically speaking ) to learn to drive and keep it drivable.
Good choice !

[quote=". right now i have a problem with the choke (i think it is the choke). When i start the car the engine will run at about 2500 to 3000 rpms until it is warmed up. Once it is at about 170 or 180 degrees i punch the gas and it drops to a normal idle. after that there are no problems with the engine.[/quote]

first advice from an old bloke who could be your teacher ( to make myself symphatic to a 16 year old) : you don't have a problem, you have the luck to have a FIAT with a (then) modern Automatic Choke ! Why not punch the gas earlier, once the car is running well ( after the first corner ) , the revs should drop ?
If it becomes a real problem, take a look around the carburator ( is it a car from 1977, or 78 ? 1800cc, carb ? 2000cc) , maybe something connected to the antipollution-thing is not prop. blocked off.

good luck ! Geert.

[mbouse]

welcome to the site! my wife did not get her first 1978 Spider until she was....


older than 16

har har... you thought i was gonna tell her age, 'eh?

[jsdieter]

it is a 78 with an 1800 engine. its good to know i dont have a problem. i have tried to punch the gas earlier but it just wont do it. i have noticed that it drops a lot faster when i start to drive it then just leaving it in the driveway.
i was really upset that it wouldnt start up this morning. guess it didnt want to go to school either