RE: no start spider?

["Robert Strause" <rdstrause@domain.elided>]

Ferdinando,

I agree with you and I assure you know how to start the Spider. Of course,
standard process is to turn the key, no throttle and it starts that way
every time.  Just not this one time after sitting for a month.  However, I
watched him do it.  3 longish cranks while pumping the throttle and it
turned over, when all other combinations failed.

Rob



- -----Original Message-----
From:	Ferdinando Di Matteo [mailto:ferdinando.di@domain.elided]
Sent:	Monday, February 28, 2000 8:36 AM
To:	rdstrause@domain.elided
Cc:	alfa-digest@domain.elided
Subject:	no start spider?

Robert, I feel obligated to set you straight on starting procedures.  I
don't know who, if anybody, taught you how to start your Spider but it is
completely WRONG.  If you were to pump the throttle steadily for 1 minute or
24 hours, NOTHING would happen, not a drop of fuel would flow from the tank.
All you accomplish is ruining the starter motor and running down the
battery.    A car that has carbs is a different  animal, pumping the gas
pedal does help prime the engine.  Your Bosch fuel injected engine needs no
throttle advance, keep your foot off of the pedal.  Gas cannot flow back to
the tank just sittng idle for long period, there is a check valve to keep
the fuel up into the rail.
What is needed and absolutely essential is a fully charged battery that can
deliver at least 11 volts to the FI and ignition systems WHILE cranking.
Measure with a digital voltmeter at the battery.  And another thing, never
crank for longer that5 seconds at a time with some rest between tries.  Fred
Di Matteo

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