06-16-2006, 07:04 PM
|
 |
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: OC CA USA
Posts: 1,658
|
|
 Quote:
|
Originally Posted by AlfaRich
I have come to the conlcusion that before any SPICA tune up, the fuel cap should be removed. When removing it, listen for inrushing air. Inrushing air does not smell like gas. Out rushing air will smell like gas if the tank is under pressure. Inrushing air means the vacuum valve is stuck closed. ANy attempts to tune a SPICA with negative pressure in the tank I believe will negatively affect the quality of your tune up job.
ANyone interested in purchasing a SPICA Cut off solenoid lock nut SPANNER tool should let me know. I have plans to build a few. Using a screwdriver to loosen and tighten this nut is like using Gas Pliers to adjust the stem on your grandfather's gold pocket watch. Eventually you will chew up the threads and most certainly have already ruined the nut itself....all while marginally tightening the nut.
So I hope to make one for myself and some extras for anyone interested in getting one.
|
This is a great thread. AR74's original problem has never been solved? If everything else is set correctly I would first look at the fuel filters. After the battery is diconnected and saftey precautions are observed, you can remove the front filter, inspect and replace as needed. In my experience the rear (tank) filter loads up and is often the cause of problems, not limited to: it will run but sometimes lacking top end performance, or it will run fine but if a long drive it will die and then restart after waiting a few minutes. You can clamp off the rear lines and remove the filter, keeping it horizontal, then, over newspaper on concrete to catch the detris, turn the inlet end vertical and tap it, forcefully, on the the newspaper, besides the fuel, you will problably have rust/junk/junk coming out, (compressed air is an option for the adventurous) that is what is blocking the fuel supply. the fuel pressure senders are thiry years old, and IMHO unreialable, inadequite. I have had at least a ten different SPICA alfa's as daily drivers over the last 20+ years, and not one of those cars would not run due to an internal problem with the FI pump. Now some were better than others, and external problems were numerous: improper timing(s), improper linkage adjustment, bad T/A, broken belt, etc; but the most common problem is the rear filter being clogged and remember when the fuel pump is off, the clog lessens as there is no pressure pulling the gunk up against the element of the filter.
__________________
67 BMW 1600ti/Alpina
74 Spider project
69 BMW '02 SR
www.machocheese.com
"just say no to reductionism"
Last edited by rogerspeed; 06-16-2006 at 07:11 PM.
|