re: debugging the L-Jet

["Giller,Bruce C." <bgiller@domain.elided>]

Godfrey,

	My aux. air device on the '86 Spider started acting up and doing the
same thing.  Hard to start when cold and slightly less difficult when
hot.  A friend at work with working aux air device loaned me his and it
was night and day; easy starting every time.  Called IAP for a new unit
only to find that price zoomed up to around $200!  Called other
purveyors of Alfa parts to find the same price.  Eventually I got a used
one from APE and all is well.  Just make sure that you get the correct
device - the 6-cylinder model looks exactly like the 4-cylinder so check
the part numbers (it is stamped on the unit).

	BTW, the aux air device is an electrical gadget - 12v operates it by
closing up the hole.  You'll find it on top of the intake side of the
cam cover with two wires attached.
 
	Bruce

> New behaviors... When starting from cold, I find that the engine takes a
> little throttle to fire and then runs very roughly and slowly for just a
> moment before settling into a clean idle. Similar behavior when warm but
> briefer. Also, when it's good and hot, the idle will sometimes oscillate
> gently over a range of about 250 rpm and period of about 5-8 seconds. 
> 
> Reviewing the manual and the Bosch injection book, this seems to me to be
> the auxiliary air device: either it's got a leak or the motor controlling
> the valve is getting funky.
> 
> What do you think? It's easy enough to replace it but I would rather not
> spend the money for another gizmo if it's not the problem...

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