Not holding fuel in Carb?

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DaveMarcotte
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Your car is a: Fiat Spider 1977
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Not holding fuel in Carb?

Post by DaveMarcotte »

Hey Weekend drives only. First start always hard. Lots of cranks before she fires. After that no problem. Im thinking the 34LDF carb reservoir isn't holding fuel or is there a check valve on the line that's not working? Any advise appreciated.
daved
Posts: 84
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:36 pm
Your car is a: 1969 fiat 124 spider
Location: Erie Pa

Re: Not holding fuel in Carb?

Post by daved »

Think this is a fairly common problem, you will probably find other posts about it here. I tried adding a check valve, didn't help at all. Also tried changing the accelerator pump, fairly easy & inexpensive. That might have helped just a bit. I replaced all the 5/16" rubber hose with metric hose & new clamps. That did make a big difference but didn't totally fix the problem.
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Nanonevol
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Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: Not holding fuel in Carb?

Post by Nanonevol »

If my 77 with 34 ADF sits for a long time I prime it with a shot of starter fluid to save my starter motor.
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning
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spiderdan
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Your car is a: 1968 124 Sport Spider
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: Not holding fuel in Carb?

Post by spiderdan »

Sounds normal to me Dave. At least my "guy" says so when I asked him years ago. I thought I needed a check valve somewhere. He figures the gas evaporates in the bowl after a few days. I live with it.
Dan
1968 124 Sport Spider
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Nut124
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Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2017 6:39 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider 1800

Re: Not holding fuel in Carb?

Post by Nut124 »

Electronic fuel pump in the trunk, check valve and a pressure regulator will solve the problem. Bypass the mech pump. No return line needed with the regulator.
Warren
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Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2006 1:25 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider

Re: Not holding fuel in Carb?

Post by Warren »

This is a common problem even after replacing the check valve. My solution was to add the electric fuel pump in the trunk with a switch under the dash; used only to prime the carb. Will start up immediately and now have a backup to the mechanical fuel pump.
Warren
Sylacauga Alabama
1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce
1974 Dodge Dart Sport Hang 10 (in restoration)
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