'81 Turbo Spider won't idle when cold

[MLingo]

I am new to this site, recently purchased an '81 Turbo Spider good condition, well maintained, only 26,000 miles, but when starting it fires right up then dies within seconds. In order to keep it from dying I have to pump the gas till warm, once it is warm it runs and idles beautifully. We have replaced wires, plugs, cap, rotor, and pick-up. From reading previous posts I am guessing that it may be the Aux. Air Regulator, but I can't find one. Any advice?

[So Cal Mark]

I have rebuilt AARs in stock

[MLingo]

Does this sound like a reasonable explaination for the problem? How much for the re-built part and how to order? Thanks for the quick response.

[jfrawley]

I had the exact same problem with my '82. Here's a quick check to see if that's the problem. Loosen the hose that goes from the AAR to the intake and let a little air in while it's not properly idleing. You should see the rev's come right back up. That's what i did, installed one of Mark's rebuilt AAR's, and presto, problem gone.

John

[MLingo]

Thanks John, I'll give it a shot. Looks like replacing the AAR is a fairly simple process if needed.

[kristoj]

I'll bet it's not the AAR. I bet you have an air leak in the hose that runs from the airbox down to the turbo. This is a very common issue with the turbos. The hose passes very close to the exhaust manifold and deteriorates over time from the heat. The hose is no longer available, but can be repaired with aluminum tape. I am almost certain this is your problem.

[Ligotino1]

Was this car a turbo previously?

[kristoj]

Fiat Motors North America commisioned an independent company (Legend Industries) to modify Spider 2000s with a turbo setup. The these cars were modified in NY prior to being shipped to dealers. Though Legend did the modifications, the car was an official Fiat model for North America. The tubro model was available in model years 1981 and 1982. It is believed that only about 700 turbos were produced before Fiat pulled out of the U.S. market in 1982.

[Ligotino1]

The reason I asked is because I have one of those original 700 and I had the same problem exactly. The problem was that the turbo and most of the components were removed but the richment sensors were left connected. I removed the sensors and the car ran like never before when cold.

[adrians]

I also have one of the Turbo cars, at present the actual Turbo is not installed, however I still have all the Turbo sensor/switches installed and operational, my car idles and runs fine. No problems.

Check for air leaks as suggested.

[MLingo]

Thanks for the advice, I checked the hose and it is in good shape, no cracks or holes. I can see where that could be a problem in the future, any advice to prevent damage? I'll let you know what I figure out.

[kristoj]

Well, it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong . Just to be clear though, I am talking about the larger, black semi-rigid hose that leads from the airbox to the turbo, not the orange flexible hose from the turbo to the plenum -- that hose seems to last forever. Still sounds like an air leak, so maybe it is a faulty AAR after all. You should also check the rubber connection between the plenum and the intake manifold.

[So Cal Mark]

an air leak should cause problems when the engine is hot also

[MLingo]

I think it must be the AAR, I can't find any cracked hoses and it dosen't sound like there is a leak, also it does run and idle perfectly when warm. I did pull the hose after the AAR and tried using my thumb as a valve, I think that is the problem. The Turbo is original to the car, I actually have the original sales brochure put together by Legend Industries with Jody Scheckter (Ferrari Formula 1 driver) giving testimonial to the turbo performance, it screams of the '80s. In the past ten years the car has only been driven 1,200 miles (too much sitting around, she is probably fairly unhappy about it). Is it possible that there may be a fuel related problem, given that there has been some nasty fuel run through recently?

[ga.spyder]

It has all the symptoms of being the AAR.Many of us have had the same problem,it seems fairly common.Very easy fix.I thought my car was ''cold-blooded'' until reading a post here!