Stuck intake valve!?!

[4babycar]

Yet another problem in my quest to drive another spider again! Anyway, after checking in on Betty today (new clutch) the mechanic says one of the intake valves are sticking (#4 cyl I think). He said it is common after a car has been sitting as long as she has. Is there anything that I can do to fix this, short of taking the whole head off? I am uneasy about doing that since I have never done anything similar before and my mechanic says "I ain't no Fiat guy!" and really doesn't want to do the work. Any advice you all have would be greatly appreciated!

Also, after putting everything back together after the clutch it doesn't want to start. The battery is good and he now says there is a bad ground but it was working fine when I took it to him. The starter turns but hesitates when connected to the battery but if he jumpers directly to the starter it turns over quickly. Any ideas on this as well?

[So Cal Mark]

you could try Marvel Mystery OIl or auto trans fluid mixed with the engine oil to unstick the valve.
The main ground cable is under the left side and attaches to the bellhousing. That would have been disconnected when the clutch was replaced. I'd also check the battery cable to solenoid for tightness

[4babycar]

Thanks Mark! Where would be the best place to put the ATF or MMO? I will pass along your troubleshooting advice regarding the grounds, etc. before I pick her up. Thanks again!

[mbouse]

you can also add a ground strap easily between the engine block where the air pump was mounted to the inner fender on the passenger side.

quite useful even if the original ground strap is still in place.

[4babycar]

I left Betty with him to try to find the error of his ways so hopefully all will be resolved by tomorrow. Once I can get her home and do some work myself, I will certainly be doing some 'ground' maintenance as well as many other items. With the trouble this little lady has caused him over the past 2 days, I think I will have to look for another mechanic! I get the impression that he has no desire to learn to curse in additional languages.

[4babycar]

I spoke with my mech. again tonight and told him of all of your recommendations...... He wanted to know how I was able to get so much information so quickly! Great job & thanks again! In regard to the main ground strap he admitted that he doesn't remember removing one from the bell housing. Since there were no starting issues before going there, I think he either removed it and forgot or didn't remove it and it pulled loose and he didn't see it. I guess another possibility is there wasn't one there but since there were no starting problems before he trip to the shop, I think this is unlikely.

[So Cal Mark]

without that ground strap the clutch cable will act as a ground and fail. You may also burn the alternator ground wire. I'd suggest not starting it until that ground strap is checked. Or use jumper cables from the engine to frame until you figure it out.

[mbouse]

the exact reason i recommend adding a ground strap is because of what mark warns against.... without the ground strap at the bell housing acting properly, the engine will seek to use the clutch cable.

dunn try to start it until a proper grounding strap is securely in place. and you dunn have to take it back to this dude just for that!!! we can talk you thru it if you can turn a wrench.

[4babycar]

Thanks gentleman. I am anxiously awaiting a call from him any time now. I will keep you posted. I am looking forward to getting her home so I can do some of these things myself. Usually I am a firm believer in if you want something done right, do it yourself. There are exceptions to this and I am wise enough to know when I am over my head (Most of the time!). I would have liked to have done the clutch myself but I didn't feel that I had the knowledge or the experience to do it right so I felt I should leave it up to an "expert". I feel comfortable doing many of the other items myself, especially with the collective knowledge of my new friends here! Thanks again.

By the way, does this engine qualify me for inclusion in the CPC "Crackle Paint Club"?

[mbouse]

Awesome simply Awesome

this guy KNOWS how to live on the bright side!!

[pope]

I think you were just voted in as President

[4babycar]

Thank you, thank you but I cannot possibly accept being president. I only inherited the crackle paint from the PO so I am not worthy of an elected position..... I can only hope to one day inherit the title King of Crackle from you-know-who!

All hail the King of Crackle!

By the way, I just spoke to the mechanic and Betty is done, at least as far as he is concerned and I will pick her up in just a little while. I thought you might find something he said a bit amusing - "Wouldn't you know it, you were right... There was a ground strap going to the bell housing. Once I hooked that back up, she fired right up just like she was new!" It's amazing, you tell someone what they did wrong and they think it is a miracle that what you said worked. Oh well, I am just happy to be getting behind the wheel of a spider once again. I will let you all know how the first and second rides go tonight. ( I have to make 2 since both of my little girls need their first rides in a spider and I haven't been able to put the rear seat belts in yet.)

[4babycar]

WOW! I had forgotten how much fun it is to drive a Fiat! Consequently, I had also forgotten how much fun it is to stand on the side of the road with a broken down fiat! No less than 10 minutes after picking Betty up from the shop she left me and one of my daughters sitting on the side of the road with the hood folded forward and my wife smiling from the mini van behind us. Long story short, it was an easy fix, the fuel filter had become clogged and after blowing out the filter element we were back on the road. I am guessing there was some sediment in the tank after the years of sitting and after being driven around the sloshing back and forth, broke it loose. Oh well, now to start on my part of the projects, wish me luck. I will try to post pictures soon.

[rlux4]

Woohoo! Ain't Fiat drivin' great!
Congratulations, and kudos to Mark and Mike for the call on the ground strap.
Ron

[4babycar]

The saga continues...... Well Betty and I have had a bit more personal time together now and she has behaved much better this time around. I definitely have some work to do. Her headlights don't work, there is a leak around the oil pan (knew about this), and the mechanic managed to mangle the chock cable thinking it was the hood release cable. It looks like I will have to do some flushing of electrical gremlins at a minimum and some good ole' fashion wrenchin'. Sorry, I didn't get any more pictures tonight, it got a little too dark after the small setback earlier in the evening.

Thanks again for everyone's help and encouragement.