Fast Idle and where is the idle screw!!??

[wachuko]

OK, we have here a 1979 carburetor FIAT Spider... problems we are having is that it has a fast idle (3500-4000rpms)...

We disconnected the idle solenoid and rpms went down to 2500...

I cleaned the choke flap and mechanism as it was gummed up. Now that is out of the way, we also replaced a plugged vac line.

Car is down to just below 2k rpms... we wanted to adjust idle but can't find the idle screw and I am not about to guess on someone else car.

The manual I have does not have a clear photo of the idle screw so I can't see where it is... help!

[wachuko]

As I mentioned, we cleaned the choke fast idle mechanism and validated it was all moving freely. We installed everything back frustrated that we could not get it to go bellow 1900rpms... and guess what!? Everything is working fine. RPM are now in the 900 range even with the solenoid connected again.

So it was indeed the gummed up choke that was causing the fast idle...

A few photos after removing the fast idle choke, cleaning, and installing. Wish I had remember to take photos while it was out...

[wachuko]

Could not resist taking a few photos of the whole car













The dash work done was superb. Beautiful wood work.

[Snoopy]

Nice car !
You start a career as Spiderdoctor ?
I wish i could visit you and you can repair my spider

[wachuko]

Nice car !
You start a career as Spiderdoctor ?
I wish i could visit you and you can repair my spider

Just helping out if I can. And learning along the way. If I do not know something I rather ask than to make a mistake.

I am finding that the mechanics of the Fiat Spider are a lot easier to work with than my previous cars. Carburetors are still an area I do not feel completely comfortable with... I need to learn a bit more about them. I worked on the carbs from the Ford 350 trucks that my dad had, and with a 74 dodge colt I use to have... but it has been more than 20 years since I touched a carb... must read more.

Glad we found the culprit and Frank was able to drive back with a normal idle. Felt pretty good.

[So Cal Mark]

nice looking car! I guess they didn't cover the engine when they painted the car; it's got that red-tinge to it.

The idle cutoff solenoid doesn't affect idle speed; it stops the flow of fuel through the idle circuit. If the throttle is open cutting the idle fuel won't make much difference. One other note; the air injection check valve shouldn't be plumbed directly to the air cleaner unless you have the pulse air system. Once that check valve fails (and it will without air being pumped into it) you will have exhaust going directly into the air cleaner. The 2L motors with one check valve in the head used an air injection pump, the motors with 2 check valves in the head used the pulse air system.

[wachuko]

nice looking car! I guess they didn't cover the engine when they painted the car; it's got that red-tinge to it.

The idle cutoff solenoid doesn't affect idle speed; it stops the flow of fuel through the idle circuit. If the throttle is open cutting the idle fuel won't make much difference. One other note; the air injection check valve shouldn't be plumbed directly to the air cleaner unless you have the pulse air system. Once that check valve fails (and it will without air being pumped into it) you will have exhaust going directly into the air cleaner. The 2L motors with one check valve in the head used an air injection pump, the motors with 2 check valves in the head used the pulse air system.

Thank you Mark. Trouble we had was that the pdf files I have of the workshop manual has very lousy scanned photos and I could not figure out what was what.

I thought the idle solenoid was bad because as soon as I disconnected it, rpms came down. After cleaning the choke internals and making sure the mechanism was moving freely, and after we installed everything back, we did the check that is recommended in the manual (ignition in the on position and connect and disconnect the solenoid and listen for a click), so the solenoid was working fine after all.

After everything went back in and Frank tried to start the car (this was with the solenoid disconnected) car would not hold idle and turn off, we connected the idle solenoid again and everything went back to normal.

That red dust of over spray really shows in the photos, I had not noticed it. Nothing some good cleaning can't fix. Will tackle that little by little with Frank when he stops by to work on the cars.

[james124]

That Is a nice car, beautiful woodwork. I couldn't help noticing the rear of the car seems unusually high? Have the springs been changed recently? By the way, what is that thing hanging from the rear view mirror, Ralph Lauren too? Thanks for all your great pics, JimmyG

[Europa]

Is that dzyfngrs Spider? Guess he fixed/swapped the differential.

[amsiegel]

Thats Dzyfubgrs car or there are to identical nice dashed Spiders in Orlando

[wachuko]

Thats Dzyfubgrs car or there are to identical nice dashed Spiders in Orlando

Yes, that is his car.

[Foster48x]

nice looking car! I guess they didn't cover the engine when they painted the car; it's got that red-tinge to it.

I don't understand why people do that? how hard is it to tape off the engine compartment. Remember the car "catchaguy" bought. The overspray was out of control


Engine

You've got a great looking car there Jaime!

Rick

[ga.spyder]

The wood on the dash is really nice.Do you now if that is a veneer or foil finish? Nice you could help out a fellow owner!
Craig

[dzyfngrs]

Hey guys, it's Frank.
The dash is all wood; no 3M foil. It's Camphor Elm Burl and was done by my brother-in-law after I sent him a duplicate set of panels off a donor car. Thanks for the compliments, though. I feel honored.

Also, the car may be riding a little high in the back. But what a nice ride! After my axle broke on the way to the San Genaro car show in Tampa, I took off the rear end off a 1978 donor and swapped in out for mine. The car drives real smooth now. Nothing sluggish and no friction noises.

One thing I do want to add - how wonderful the FiatSpider forum community is. I wouldn't have ever attempted to change out my thermostat let alone my rear axles if I didn't have the support you guys give. I keep reading on line all the suggestions, modifications, assistance you guys give and it sure helps bolster my confidence, let me tell you. We're more than connected by these little 30 - 40 year old Italian cars - not just by their engineering but also by the freedom and sense of family they represent. The people in this forum would just as soon get you under their hoods as they would take you under their wing. And that's everything to an amatuer like me.

With Jaime's help last weekend the engine now purrs. And soon, I'll get a great education on how my transmission works. What more can I ask for? All of you are a great bunch of folks. Thanks again.

Yeah. Shame about the overspray. It was like that when I bought the car in California 5 years ago. But, little by little, I'll take apart, polish and return every piece. I just want to enjoy the ride now...

[Snoopy]

Nice words