Hello From Louisiana

[AVMECH]

Supposedly being the best wrench in the family, I just inheritied a 81 Fiat Spider 2000, wich was the car my grandpa taught me to drive in way back when I was 14. So, Hello from Denham Springs, Louisiana.

I drove it form Cleveland, Ohio, so it seems pretty mechanicly sound. Need to change the switch on the radiator fan, seems to not be closing.

Oils you guys are using seem to be the rotella??? Not a synthetic????

And NAPA GL-1 for gearbox and differential.

So, to begin, from what I've gathered from this site, I need to change the Engine oil, Gearbox oil, differential oil, coolant and .........?? Idler ????? oil?

Not sure what that idler is, but I do have lots of manuals.

I'll keep looking through opsts, any suggestions ya'll got are appreciated. Glad to be here, both me and the wife are in love with this car. Me since I was 14, hers is a new love.

[CajunMike]

Welcome! Another La member! There are a handful. How about a picture.

[124JOE]

the stering idler on the pass side on the frame rail down low
it has the tie rod ends going to it

[AVMECH]

OK, found steering idler in book. thanks. Cajunmike, my wife is the one who understands how to post pics and such, plus I would be embarassed how dusty it is right now. quite honestly, and I'm sure you understand as you are in Louisiana as well, it is in the garage right now and will probably be mid sept/late sept before I get really crackin on polishing and cleaning it as it is way to hot right now. Not wanting to spend 6 hours detailing a car in the driveway today. I'll put the battery on a tender and slowly start jacking the car, checking it out and changing fluids from now till then. It's enough work just keeping the yard mowed and trimmed in August here.

[bradartigue]

Hi, I'm in Baton Rouge. I sent you a PM.

[bradartigue]

Oils you guys are using seem to be the rotella??? Not a synthetic????

Rotella 15W40 or any modern 10W40 will suffice; Synthetic is a waste of money as these cars still need oil changes at 3000 miles and Synthetic will weep through the seals. BTW all modern oils are Synthetic so to speak...but "Synthetics" are moreso. Marketing at its finest.

Get a good oil filter - BOSCH.

Get the thing tuned correctly - follow the shop manual procedure or I duplicate it in my book http://www.artigue.com/fiat on engine mods & maintenance.

Don't rest your hand on the gearshift lever while driving. Push vent windows IN to relieve pressure while locking. Shift slowly. And so on.

Enjoy it! FI Spiders are wonderful.

[2ndwind]

Welcome to the group. I just want to mention checking on the age of the timing belt. If unknown, change it (along with water pump). Problems with a broken belt in a 2.0 liter are infrequent but occasionally catastrophic, it can crack the block. See archived posts in the engine and tuning area.

[ralphcap]

Hey y'all. I joined this forum about two and one half years ago when I bought my Spider. I live in Louisiana (unless, understandably, you don't count a resident of New Orleans as a Louisianan). I bought my 1981 FI Spider off Craig's List while visiting my daughter in Austin and drove it 500+ miles home. I've learned a lot since then from other members, especially Brad. I'm looking forward to this year's driving season. I expect it to start in October!

[mdrburchette]

Welcome all you Louisianians! The southern heat is extremely bad this year. I drove one of my Spiders once this year and ended up having it towed home...but we do get a break in the winter to enjoy our cars so I'm not complaining.