my car stinks

[Michael N. Marcus]

I just replaced my Spider's rear end (broken pinion gear), and the car is back on the road for the first time this year. A new problem was solved, and now I want to deal with an old problem.

In the 2-1/2 years I've had my '78, there has always been a problem with the smell of gas fumes. People complain that I'm polluting the neightborhood. Three different Fiat "experts" have been unable to find a cure. I have dual Webers, installed by a previous owner. One expert suggested going back to a single carb (uncool). Gas mileage "seems" worse than it should be, but I haven't done any real measurements.

Any ideas?

[ventura ace]

Is the crankcase breather hose routed to the carburetor filters, or is it dumping into the engine bay? If it is not routed into the carburetor filters, the blowby gases may be what you are smelling.

alvon

[So Cal Mark]

unless there aren't any rings on the pistons, I doubt if blowby would bother the neighbors. It's time for some real "measurements"; find out what the CO is and jet the carbs properly

[Michael N. Marcus]

Is the crankcase breather hose routed to the carburetor filters, or is it dumping into the engine bay? If it is not routed into the carburetor filters, the blowby gases may be what you are smelling.

alvon

The breather hose and all that anti-smog junk is long gone. Here in CT, there are no inspections on cars after their 25th birthday.

[mdrburchette]

Are you smelling it from the exhaust or engine area? Have you got your cold start mechanism hooked up? The cable may be binding. Have you checked your timing and ignition components? May not be burning all the fuel. Do you have a fuel pressure regulator? It should be set around 3 psi. Just some thoughts on what I've learned about these dual carbs.