Depressed,but not questioning my alliance to Fiats

[ga.spyder]

I have settled into a deep funk with my cars.I have both in the garage,neither running correctly if at all.I spent all weekend as an ambassador to Fiat and FLU at he Mitty.Great time ,until the ride home when the motor in the 76 expired.Loud internal knock.So...I will post here but I am going to sell it.The list of work and new parts is long...the price is cheap.
I was in that car because the 82 is running badly and on 3 cylinders,although #4 kicks in to tease me.I have put in a new injector,seals in the dead spot(#4) to no avail.I have change caps,rotors,mag. p/u,wires,plugs,module...nada.Found a leak in my air hose,loose ground on injectors,tested and re tested. Car is still running on 3,sometimes 4.I have a lot of local events that I am missing out on as I watch both cars sit in the garage,taking up space.I have seriously questioned why I bother to defend the marque,club,etc...If anyone has any idea what could possibly be wrong,or what I am missing please shout out.I am going to tow it to a shop for a compression and leakdown test.If it is internal,there may be 2 Fiats for sale.Can you spell M-I-A-T-A
Craig

[kristoj]

Craig,

Now you are depressing me, and my car is running fine! Although I did replace my U-joints and must have put the drive shaft back together 180 degrees off, because it vibrates like all get up now

Are you able to test it when it is firing on 3 cylinders? Just wondering if it is fuel or electric related. Like any issue, it seems like a long process of elimination, though you have changed out all of the obvious parts that might be causing the issue. Based on your frustration level, you might be better off taking it to a shop as you suggest. Sometimes it is a lot less stressful to write a check than spend weeks chasing down an issue like this.

And if you buy a Miata I will personally drive down there and kick you arse

[ga.spyder]

Thanks Johnny,for the reality check.I have replaced all those parts,one at a time in a order to try to pinpoint the problem.This started with a intermittent miss that was getting a little worse.I decided to do an ign. tune up.I performed that and ..the car was running on 3.Obviously,one of the new parts is bad.So...one at a time I removed and put back the ones I had taken out(they were all fine).Same problem.I started pulling plug wires and when #4 was pulled engine note stays the same.Swapped plugs,wires ...nuttin.There is spark there .So,I pulled injector4 plug and engine note unchanged.Pulled the rail,and narfire(thanks again,Chris) sent me a new injector.Put new hoses,clamps,and the new injector and installed rail.Same sad story.The car starts right up every time,but is running badly.It sounds like the 'dead' cylinder is coming to life intermittently.Rough idle,and a backfire(thru exhaust) when you rev it.I pulled the cam covers and there is nothing obvious there.Valves and injectors all sound normal through stethescope.I have jiggled every wire,connection,ground,etc...
How about a S2000 instead of a Miata? All kidding aside ,with the expiration of the 76 and this problem,I keep wondering if I really am a glutton for punishment.

[courtenay]

Craig, - take a few days off. Consume a bottle or two of installation fluid. Remember all the fun you've had in your Fiats.
Then - attack the things anew...with gusto...
Bruce

[kristoj]

Craig,

Stupid question, but did you put a test light on the #4 injector connector? If you have spark, and you are using a known good injector, the only thing I can think of would be a lack of power to the injector. Maybe a short in the connector itself?

[4babycar]

Hang in the Craig! You are not alone. Both of my spiders are down and the moment I am really having Fiat withdrawals. Don't give up, you will find the solution, just be patient (I know that it the most difficult part) and methodical. You will find it and once you are back on the road, you will wonder why the thought ever crossed you might about getting a Miata/S2000!

[ga.spyder]

There is power to the injector.I was hoping for a partially clogged one!When I pulled the rail with the suspect one,I had my daughter cramk while I watched.It was spraying,but it was hard to see if it was a good pattern. Since the rail was off and Chris had kindly offered a injector,I thought it worth a shot.You can hear it clicking ,it is energized.I dont have a noid light,but there is power at the plug via multimeter.
Thanks for the encouragement guys.I probably shouldnt have posted when I was so PO'd.I have already missed several events,so as long as it is ready for FFO... I am going to list the 76 for sale.I just dont have the time,money,know how,or tools to undertake a rebuild.Someone could get a steal on it.I just want my investment back.I hope someone will want it intact.It is way too nice to start parting out

[mdrburchette]

If it was running fine before, go and retrace your steps. You may have a bad cap, plug or wire. You say it's not firing on #4. Have you pulled the plug? Is it wet with gas? Or is it black? If it's wet, you're getting fuel. If it's black, it may not be firing properly. Check the cap for arcing or burnt spots. Have you tried reinstalling all your old parts?

[4babycar]

Don't sell her Craig! Remember the Fiats can be petty and spiteful and since you were paying all that extra attention to the 82, she just had to get in on the action. (Ask me how I know, since I have two dead Fiats in the driveway this very moment!)

I have a bottom end from a 76, you are welcome to have if it helps the process. I have a couple of friends that travel from this area to Atlanta every few weeks and I could send it your way. I don't know the history or condition, it was free with the purchase of my 80. I also have a friend here in Lynchburg that may have another. I would be willing to make a trip for an all-day-night engine build/swap. I don't know what to do but I can turn a wrench, don't mind getting diry and I can generally lift heavy things. Just say the word. If those California Guys can do it, so can us east coasters!

[baltobernie]

Hang in there, buddy! You'll get it!

[narfire]

Tried changing the plugs and leads with the other car?
I had a miss in my engine after an engine swap, checked the spark, yeup got spark but when it was a bit darker I saw the plug itself was bad,cracked insulation,shorting to the head, change and good to go.
I'm hoping its a simple fix Craig

[spiderrey]

Damn, thats a nice car. You would be crazy to sell it.

[So Cal Mark]

so, you think Fiats are the only cars that suffer breakdowns? Oh, I can tell you stories. Have you pulled the cam covers to inspect for flat lobes on 4? What about a broken valve spring? That can cause an intermittent cylinder misfire, since at times the valve doesn't seat.

[ga.spyder]

naw...I know other cars suffer too.I think itsjust that I spent the whole weekend defending the cars and talking about the virtues,laughing off the ''Tony'' stuff.Meanwile,I got 2 of them broken in my garage I am thinking,Mark,that it has to be in the valve train,I just cant see anyting else.A compression and leakdown test should show that,and I am going to tow it to a shop and we will see.
Chris, I have changed over plugs,and wires to no avail.I think I have done all I can do,and need to let someone look at it.Rey,the 76 is a nice car and I am sick over the motor.It wil start right up but has a bad internal knock.I am not prepared to do a rebuild in many ways,so if I find someone who wants it to rebuild and keep the car I will probably sell it.I could part it out for more than what I have in it,but its too nice for that.

[narfire]

Damb.. I have a 2 L on a stand that works,pulled it from mine last November, also think I'm buying another spider with a spare 1800. Wish I could beam either it over...