72 Berlina that won't run

Wow. If you have compression, that's good. Is your spark at the right time, more or less? Is the fuel pressure light going out? There's a whole step-by-step procedure on troubleshooting the Spica system here and on Wes Ingram's site, and in Wes's book.

You can crack open one of the injector lines at the manifold to see if fuels pumps out while the engine is cranking. If so, then check the Spica pump timing. From there it starts to get more involved to determine if the Spica is working right, including checking the cold start solenoid, fuel rack spring, etc. Do some searches here, esp. in the Fuel discussion part, to see what's been listed before.

Andrew

Gosh....it would seem that if you got the engine started, the leaky pump would start a fire that might consume the whole car!!
You might think about fixing the leak first, then getting the car started.

if it catches fire i hope ot only take the stuff thats not working and the dash. i'm working on locating the pump. my issue is checking timing when i can't get it to fire. al the data i have tells me to set timing at 5000rpm

Use a test light and time it statically to the P mark on the crankshaft pulley.

But first, fix the fuel leaks before you burn something down.

i got a fuel pump on order. what kind of compression psi should the 2.0l have?

and i checked on the fuel light. it will go out after about 40+ seconds but will flicker every so often after that

That's a long time for the fuel pressure light to go out. When you replace the pump be sure to replace the rear fuel filter as well. You won't get decent compression readings with a cold engine but be sure to open the throttle all the way when taking the readings so the cylinders can get air to compress. Most of my cars have read around 160 psi on a warmed up engine but I have a recently rebuilt engine that cranks up to 190-195psi. I think anything above about 120psi will run but if you have more than about 10psi variation between cylinders it indicates a problem. I wouldn't worry too much about comp. readings until you get that new fuel pump in.

Bill

The light should go out in a second or two.

Is your battery OK? For sure solve your fuel leak issues first, or all the other issue will be moot after the car burns up.

Andrew

Should be fresh gas and no leaks. Then time as instructed, be sure you are using the fuel injectiion timing instructions. Check spark timing with timing lighkt. be sure the battery is well chkarged. good luck BT

ok so i got the fuel leaks fixed. i have a fresh battey in it. i have fuel getting to the spica but not coming out of it. any other diag besides replacing the spica or does any one know of a good alfa tech in the seattle area?

AlfaandMazda said:

and i checked on the fuel light. it will go out after about 40+ seconds but will flicker every so often after that

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Don't trust a fuel pressure light as the sensor is often bad and a pressure guage is best test.

AlfaandMazda said:

ok so i got the fuel leaks fixed. i have a fresh battey in it. i have fuel getting to the spica but not coming out of it. any other diag besides replacing the spica or does any one know of a good alfa tech in the seattle area?

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Is the Spica belt pump in place, and working? Sounds like it may have fallen off or broken.

You've got the best Spica expert right in your back yard. Call Wes Ingram, of Ingram Enterprises, or send your car to Wes.

bs

yeah the belt is in place. and is not cracked or anything like that. i haven't been trusting the fuel light but it has been working somewhat better after i replace the battery. i basically turn the key on and count to 8 then atempt to start the car. i'll give that guy a call thanks

And you're sure fuel is flowing through the pump? The inlet fitting is at the rear of the pump, the outlet fitting is at the front. Have you disconnected the front fitting to make sure fuel is moving through?

A few months ago I fired up a GTV after 15 years sitting outside and it was running on about the third turn of the key. Spica pumps are generally very hardy. Sounds like something basic is not right.

Andrew

anyone know what size the crank bolt might be? its nothing that i have so i don't want to buy the wrong size over and over

A Spica car will be 38mm; whatever that converts to in inches.

Andrew

A 1.5" socket works nicely and is sometimes easier to find than a 38mm.

Bill

Calculations for sizing are very simple: millimeter size divided by 24.5 mm per inch = size in inch (s) example: 38mm divided by 25.4 = 1.4960, say 1-1/2". BT

thanks for the sizing. saved lots of time. once i got that all taken care of i come to find a high resistance in the power to starter cable. what will this car come up with next?