05-19-2008, 07:08 AM
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ReAlfisted 3/06
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Back in the garage
Posts: 5,544
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Seriously,
 Quote:
Originally Posted by bcrdukes
Just an update:
I made it down to Los Angeles going down the I-5. I encountered a few problems on the way:
1. The fuel light would blink every now and then and when it did, felt like the motor misfired or a better description would be that there was no fuel for a mere second.
2. Oil pressure was low at times. I think this may have had to do with the elevation.
3. Overheating - I think this was again, due to the elevation and it was stinkin' hot down the I-5, I suffered a pretty bad heat stroke multiple times. The drive down to LA took a while but in the end, I made it. On the way down, the water temp. gauge would stay between 212 and 260 with the overflow tank guzzling and boiling where some of it jumped onto the windshield.
Any leads on these issues would be awesome. Thanks!
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2. oil and filter change - gauge may be incorrect - verify reading temporarily with a modern gauge or permanently hook-up dual gauges, keeping your stock (and maybe inaccurate) gauge.
3. drain and flush system - replace with a 50/50 anti freeze mix- change theromostate and radiator/heater hoses.
__________________
What are you doing Saturday night?
"Committing suicide" she says.
What about Friday night?
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05-19-2008, 09:12 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 888
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lowmileage
1. I'd disconnect the hose from the tank and drain about a quart into a clear container to verify gunk and s*** is not in the tank - replace fuel filters - don't run tank low.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lowmileage
2. oil and filter change - gauge may be incorrect - verify reading temporarily with a modern gauge or permanently hook-up dual gauges, keeping your stock (and maybe inaccurate) gauge.
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Once again, great advice. There are 3 fuel filters.
(1) A sock filter (inside the tank) on the end of the in-tank fuel pump.
(2) An in-line fuel filter just after the fuel tank. The odd 90-degree-bend-on-one-end factory filter seems to be 'no longer available'. You can reposition the filter so that the bend is no longer needed and use a normal straight one.
(3) Canister Fuel Filter up front, just under the intake system and next to the SPICA pump. This is an important one. The last line of defense for the SPICA. Work clean here.
I like feeling safe, so I'm replacing all of the rubber fuel line in my car. I only have the stuff up front left to do. It is said there is some kind of metered orofice in-line that maintains a certain FPM to reach the SPICA system. There are notes on it's cleaning and installation direction in one of Pat Bradens books (can't remember which one).
Quote:
Originally Posted by lowmileage
3. drain and flush system - replace with a 50/50 anti freeze mix- change theromostate and radiator/heater hoses.
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Great advice. Don't use tap water. The block is aluminum so it is said we should use 'distilled water'. Tech notes from a book somewhere in my brain say this is to avoid some kind of galvonic response? The drain plug is at the back of the block under the exhaust manifold. It is a brass plug. Study how to 'burp' the system. Air gets pressurized in there and you need to bleed it after putting in a full cooling charge. Change the radiator cap while you're at it.
Have fun! 
__________________
1981 Spider 2000 USA - It's SpiderWebb cuz' Webb's my last name.
Last edited by SpiderWebb; 05-19-2008 at 09:16 AM.
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05-19-2008, 09:21 AM
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ReAlfisted 3/06
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Back in the garage
Posts: 5,544
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One other thing - paint the bottom of the gas tank silver to reflect heat if bottom now is painted black. And thanks to SpiderWebb for pointing out to use distilled water (  I should have mentioned that).
__________________
What are you doing Saturday night?
"Committing suicide" she says.
What about Friday night?
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05-19-2008, 09:28 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 888
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I was wondering if his overheating issue was related to someone not 'burping' the cooling system? I've read somewhere on the bb about that. The water does not circulate well if it's not bled.
Lowmileage, I was hoping for one of your patented hilarious photos to go along with your message. I have no idea how you hunt those down. I've spit my diet coke all over the monitor once because of you. You'll get the cleaning bill when I get my computer running again!
It's a gift, and a curse, eh?!  
Good luck with your car. It sounds like it's gonna be a good one.
__________________
1981 Spider 2000 USA - It's SpiderWebb cuz' Webb's my last name.
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05-20-2008, 01:17 PM
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Registered Loser
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Francisco, Ca.
Posts: 885
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I'll just chime in and say - fear not the SPICA! I actually had the opposite anxiety happening when I sold one of my Alfettas and bought a carb'd Fulvia! I was really nervous about getting a carb'd car after driving nothing but SPICA equipped Alfettas for the past 16 or so years (even though my bikes have all been carb'd - I know it's irrational...). I've only had to replace one pump, and that was shortly after purchasing the current sedan - but every other one I've had, once dialed in, has been a flawless performer. They really shine when you hit altitude - as the pumps have an automatic compensator and don't lose power like carbs do.
__________________
___________
Jeff B.
'75 Alfetta Sedan ( rosso)
'69 Lancia Fulvia Rallye 1,3 S ( rosso)
'92 Ducati 900SS giallo
gone but not forgotten
'79 Alfetta Sprint Veloce( luci del bosco)
'77 Alfetta Sedan ( nero)
'76 Alfetta Sedan ( argento metallizzato)
'86 VW Scirocco 8v
'72 Honda CB500/4
Pics! http://www.flickr.com/photos/13463758@N04/?saved=1
North American Alfetta Sedan Registry (work in progress ): http://alfanaticsf.googlepages.com/
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05-20-2008, 01:24 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Vancouver & Los Angeles
Posts: 91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiderWebb
I was wondering if his overheating issue was related to someone not 'burping' the cooling system? I've read somewhere on the bb about that. The water does not circulate well if it's not bled.
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I also noticed that when the tempurature goes up, the oil pressure gauge drops to the middle. When driving at night, everything is fine. When I start the car cold, oil pressure is 3/4 to the right, temp. gauge is in the middle but after driving 10 minutes into the freeways, it'll creep up to 212 (or just under it) while the oil pressure goes down. I can smell the exhaust running rich but no signs of white smoke or at least that I can see.
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05-20-2008, 02:13 PM
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ReAlfisted 3/06
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Back in the garage
Posts: 5,544
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiderWebb
I was wondering if his overheating issue was related to someone not 'burping' the cooling system? I've read somewhere on the bb about that. The water does not circulate well if it's not bled.
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__________________
What are you doing Saturday night?
"Committing suicide" she says.
What about Friday night?
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