SPICA pump rebuild
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Not to worry. Just curiosity in my case, thanks anyway.
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For the BB, one uploads a vid to YouTube, then drop the link to the YouTube file here.
I find this most interesting! All mech injection pumps a very tricky! I have worked on Bosch 6 plunger and Lucas injection. I believe when “ your mechanic,using all his Spica skills“ opened up the pump with your Ok has voided all the Warranty. Why would you open up a very expensive, warranty sealed with a paint marker. And even more interesting take a video of it while you do it. Why. I have a HP4 sealed Spica pump which cost me a lot of money, took 3 years, waiting to go on to my engine. I’m in Australia and as discussed with Wes if we have a issue ring him! What you thinking I am just amazed. I will still get warranty even though I have pulled it apart to have a look???
Why can I say this Master Tech Porsche,Mercedes, BMW 70/80s when they used the mechanical inj.
Why can I say this Master Tech Porsche,Mercedes, BMW 70/80s when they used the mechanical inj.
Don’t believe that there was any paint marker but good question on why it was opened up and examined. The answer is that Wes’s company is legendary and when there is a problem with a pump, the last thing you would expect is that the rebuild was defective. (Reminder, Wes does not personally do the rebuilds any longer.) But, add to that, it had been 16 months since the car was driven. I wanted a resolution and a reason for the failure to perform. The prospect of my returning it to Ingram Enterprises for another indefinite time period just did not appeal to me. I wanted a video for evidence of the defects. If you read this thread, my experience is not an outlier. By the way, when I did send it back, it was returned to me immediately without repair.
I am driving and enjoying the Spider now and only dream that a drive could be on the Great Ocean Road!
Here is what I ran past my mechanic before I sent a letter to Ingram Enterprises; then below that is a correction by my mechanic of what was wrong with the SPICA pump.
Mechanics note;
As far as your letter to Wes, 1 and 2 are effectively talking about the same thing. For number 3 the fuel cut off rod is stuck in one position. ( I would describe it more as when actuated by the fuel cut off solenoid, the corresponding linkages move rearward instead of pushing the rod forward due to being bound somewhere); finally for number 4 I would say it didn’t allow the pump to lower the fuel output to an idle level and therefore will continue stalling the car unless the butterflies are manually held open in addition to not being able to deliver enough full at full throttle loads.
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Actually...my question was directed to the thread owner. Nonetheless, the pump model # is stamped on the pump identification plate.
I’m sorry but,
You just spent a lot of money getting a rebuild by possibly the best and most well equipped person in the world and you opened it? And your mechanic what are his references, did he not say appears there is a problem with injection pump, it should be sent back to WI. Your pump as it’s a “possible problem“ would have gone to front of the line. There are 2 pump testers at WIE. Do you not think that WI would check it personally! By the way you or your mechanic opened it! Why would WIE want to look? Herb has been doing the pumps for years and he would have put a tamper seal/ paint on all security screws/ nuts / bolts he would be very silly if not to do.
Thats my thoughts. I’m afraid the biggest mistake is before you opened you ring WIE.
You just spent a lot of money getting a rebuild by possibly the best and most well equipped person in the world and you opened it? And your mechanic what are his references, did he not say appears there is a problem with injection pump, it should be sent back to WI. Your pump as it’s a “possible problem“ would have gone to front of the line. There are 2 pump testers at WIE. Do you not think that WI would check it personally! By the way you or your mechanic opened it! Why would WIE want to look? Herb has been doing the pumps for years and he would have put a tamper seal/ paint on all security screws/ nuts / bolts he would be very silly if not to do.
Thats my thoughts. I’m afraid the biggest mistake is before you opened you ring WIE.
Your last sentence is simply incorrect. I have an email asking Wes to contact my mechanic. He seems to be just too busy, and try to reach him calling that phone number. Before I wrote this thread I was well aware of the reputation of Ingram Enterprises, which is why I prefaced my post the way I did. I am not the only person who has had an issue lately. I just wanted to alert the Alfa community of a possible shift in the quality of rebuilds. Things in this world can change, some accept, others do not. Good luck. White is a pretty color for the GTV.
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I've used Wes for years, mosty but not exclusively for SPICA rebuilds. What surprises me is not that there was a problem (although I can't imagine a 33% failure rate - how would one even determine that data??) but quite surprised to hear that he's not been responsive or standing behind his work.
The problem with a thread like this is that we only get one side of the story and a whole lot of opinions. I'm not disputing the poster's experience but unless Wes responds I don't believe we've gotten the whole story...
The problem with a thread like this is that we only get one side of the story and a whole lot of opinions. I'm not disputing the poster's experience but unless Wes responds I don't believe we've gotten the whole story...
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3,535 Posts
While I have only had one pump rebuilt by WIE, that modified pump performed flawlessly. Even the best systems occasionally produce errors. So who knows? I have dealt with Wes on numerous other Alfa transactions. He has always been responsive and stood by his work and his products. He has even provided free information to me on lots of topics unrelated to his services! Just my two cents….
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2,871 Posts
@becko to clarify for others following this thread, this photo of the Barometric Compensator removed does not qualify as "opening the pump". Removing the three screws and taking out the BC is standard procedure outlined by many including Wes and John Stewart, to either add/remove oil from the Logic section, replace the BC or check/replace the compensator spring, etc. I'm not taking any sides here, I am just providing clarification. Qualified Alfa mechanics and/or seasoned Spica Alfisti know what they are looking for when trouble shooting a Spica related issue.
Model No. T261/1
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