SPICA FI Pump Maintenance

[AlfaRich]

Just called International Auto Parts yesterday (Oct 3, 2005) and they have the gaskets for the SPICA oil filter but they are backordered on the filters.
I need to get a filter real soon. Any chance you could sell me one? Also I have the CD on the Alfa and they recommend Air bleed procedure. Will explain if interested.
Also, The Wes Ingram Book on SPICA is exceptional. Highly recommend everyone with a SPICA system get this book. Very well written and photograps are great too.
Thanks
AlfaRich
Syracuse, NY

[Roadtrip]

I think there are some on Ebay right now.

[AlfaRich]

Just called INternational Auto. They have them and they put them in the mail . Just ordered 5 more to be safe ....including gaskets.
Hope everyone sees this.
Rich

[Trav]

I just sucked about 4 oz of old oil out of the logic section of my Spica Pump.
Is this a reasonable quantity to expect?
What is the oil capacity of the logic section?
Do I understand correctly that overfilling is impossible, as excess oil drains into the engine?

Thanks

TD

[DriverJon]

I'm not sure of the capacity... though that sounds a bit low. It's hard to get a hose all the way down, so you may not have drained everything.

And yes, there's a drain hole in the case, that allows oil past a certain level to run back to the sump, so you can't overfill it.

Not sure if you've read about the cleanning method of pouring a half pint or more of oil in, basically overfilling it, and running the engine... it will mix with the old oil, probably stirr things up that weren't being stirred, and flush it out thru the drain... some think this a good occasional maintence step. Just don't pour so much in that it overflows down the sides! ;-)

[Roadtrip]

The placard on the side of the pump says refill with 1/2 pint. That'll overfill it somewhat so that the excess drains back to the engine sump. The drain port is pretty small so it'll drain back slowly.

[Trav]

Thanks for the replies!

TD

[Peter A]

And don't forget to always carry a spare belt along with an injection pump manual. If you break in the middle of nowhere and you're not mechanically inclined or don't have your tools, you will need both for a good mechanic to get you back on the road.

Also I'd reinforce the idea that frequent maintenance is required here, a very good alfa mechanic that I know recently had the spring inside the pump break from corrosion on his car!

[DriverJon]

Yep, the belt is pretty much unique item that nobody besides our favorite parts suppliers, or maybe a nearby Alfisti would have. Hmmm.. sounds like a reason for a National Alfaheads Locationbase.. taking that long road trip and getting stranded.. you'ld know who to start calling to try to locate hard to find parts.

And, thanks for reminding me about this, since I've gotten in the habit lately to leave the small box of tools and belts that used to live in the trunk, in the garage instead. Now, I don't need all the tools so much with the Spider pretty reliable, but even for short trips there probably should be an "always there" minimum kit of parts. The Spica belt being at the top of the list!

BTW, as I understand it, one of the things that Wes Ingram does in a Spica rebuild is to put a second spring inside the one that sometimes breaks. It prevents it from vibrating like hell at certain RPMs like they tend to do. You could still rust out, but much less metal fatigue. Driving the car on long enough drives to get the oil hot and drive out water should prevent the rusting. Of course, long and enthusiastic drives are part of a proper "Italian Maintenence" plan...

[Roadtrip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter A And don't forget to always carry a spare belt along with an injection pump manual. If you break in the middle of nowhere and you're not mechanically inclined or don't have your tools, you will need both for a good mechanic to get you back on the road. Also I'd reinforce the idea that frequent maintenance is required here, a very good alfa mechanic that I know recently had the spring inside the pump break from corrosion on his car!

[DriverJon]

I'll second the tie all things down suggestion. I didn't lose the Spica belt, but I once had the oil separator return hose get sucked up into the fan area while on the freeway... in a matter of a couple minutes things went from "am I hearing a bit of a funny noise?" to "waitaminute, I think I smell coolant..." to "Oh SH#!T, that's coolant alright.." and I'm pulling off the side with a hole in the radiator!!

There should be a third foldover tab in the center of the fan area, don't know if there is and mine ended up missing or there normally isnt one, but if you run without a fan shroud, put a tiemount and tiewrap or something there!!

[Roadtrip]

There's been a few threads on fan shroud, but the fact is that shrouds are important to efficient cooling. They're cheap (about $25, I think). If someone is complaining about overheating and doesn't have a fan shroud, they get no sympathy from me. Sort of like removing the thermostat to cure overheating.

[alfadan]

john, in your first post, you say the pump gets its oil directly off the oil pump. but in the 71 factory manual it says the oil is first filtered by the main filter, then through the little one in the spica pump. what gives?
ps, this may have been addresed before but I am woefully ignorant!

[Roadtrip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfadan john, in your first post, you say the pump gets its oil directly off the oil pump. but in the 71 factory manual it says the oil is first filtered by the main filter, then through the little one in the spica pump. what gives? ps, this may have been addresed before but I am woefully ignorant!

[alfadan]

ok. it seems odd that the supposed alfa injection manual (IAP) is wrong though. It would be great to have the extra filtration wouldnt it? thanks