Hello from Yelm, Wa.

Cozi · Post by **Cozi** » Mon May 31, 2010 4:29 am

Hey folks! Just recently revived my comatose '80 EFI Spider. It is my second Fiat Spider. The first was a '69 that I bought from my father back in 1971. Drove that one till 1986 when two weeks after a new paint job a guy in a Mustang made a right turn out of the left lane in front of me. Totaled it. I plucked the Pininfarina factory hardtop off of it and went hunting. Three days later I found my '80. It was my daily drive till 1997 when I bought an '89 Prelude. The Spider languished in my barn only to be driven on weekends etc. until 2005 when the starter and/or the relay appeared to have failed. After thirty-four years my enthusiasm had pretty much been exhausted. I still kept it garaged. Last week I decided I would make an effort at selling it. Went to charge the battery up prior to diving in to replacing the starter etc. and found that the positive post had raised itself about a half inch out of the casing. "THAT ain't gonna take a charge...." Got a battery, installed it and to my amazement it fired up. Changed the oil, antifreeze, brake fluid and went for a drive. I had forgotten how much fun that thing is to drive. It has KYB Gas-Adjust shocks and a 1" sway-bar. A radically different experience from my Mazda Millenia. Will get pics up as soon as I figure out the routine.

rlux4 · Post by **rlux4** » Mon May 31, 2010 8:57 am

Hi Cozi, welcome to the forum. I'm amazed every time I hear a story of one of our cars that starts so easily after sitting multi years. Mine had sat for five years before I got it and it didn't hurt it a bit. Congratulations on your decision to get yours back on the road.
We're anxious to see your car, here's a tutorial on posting pics:
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... res#p37831
Ron

Cozi · Post by **Cozi** » Mon May 31, 2010 1:43 pm

http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac21 ... 27676Thank you, Ron.

Cozi · Post by **Cozi** » Mon May 31, 2010 2:14 pm

RATZ!!! Just found a leaking injector....

rlux4 · Post by **rlux4** » Mon May 31, 2010 4:48 pm

Is the leak at the hose, the rubber seal, or is it leaking out the tip into the intake?
If it's the hose, it's not unusual after sitting in dry climates for them to deteriate. Just be sure to replace it with FI hose. Metric is stock, but 5/16" will fit, it's just a smidge large so you'd need the FI type clamps for sure.
Ron

Cozi · Post by **Cozi** » Mon May 31, 2010 5:22 pm

It's apparently the seal. Fuel can be seen bubbling between the white injector body and the black fitting that sits between the injector and the manifold.

rlux4 · Post by **rlux4** » Mon May 31, 2010 11:11 pm

Well, at least it's an easy fix. Be careful until you get it taken care of though. As you probably already know, leaking gas on the intake side can drip down on the starter.
Ron

Cozi · Post by **Cozi** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 2:31 am

With the timely help of Zachmac's injector removal walk-through I think I'll give it a go.

narfire · Post by **narfire** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:41 am

Yeup, not a difficult thing to do. Can be a bit fiddly.
Wecome to the forum by the way,as you have noticed lots of good info to help us through the moments these cars can give us grief.
As mentioned by Ron, while the injector rail is out and the injector hose is old and dry,why not change them out with new hose and proper clamps? A piece of mind to be sure.
Chris

Cozi · Post by **Cozi** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 11:11 am

Ordered seals and hose from IAP last night. Dealing with brittle connectors and having the plenum in the way would seem to be the biggest challenge on this one. Glad I found you fellows. Thanks for the help and the warm welcome.

Hello from Yelm, Wa.

Hello from Yelm, Wa.

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