Re: Backfiring (Spica)

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Terry:

Have you seen this?  It's about the best Spica Tune-up guide I've seen:

http://alfaclub.org/techstff/tunespca.htm

There is a part about testing the fuel cutoff solenoid, which is very 
simple.  Minor misadjustment of the mixture, or a failing TA can cause 
backfiring, too, as can driving style.  If the revs are dropping, and your 
foot is even slightly on the throttle below ~3000 rpm's, the engine will 
backfire, so pay attention to that.

There is an oil seal on the pump that often leaks and gums up the 
microswitch for the fuel cutoff solenoid.  I've heard the urban legend 
about the microswitch being removed/replaced with the pump in place, but I 
don't believe it.  After giving the right side of the engine a good 
cleaning, then running the engine for a while, look for drops of oil on the 
bottom of the Spica pump, which indicate a leaky microswitch seal.  If you 
do need to remove the pump. do so by removing the 6 10mm nuts that hold the 
pump to its filter base, rather than unbolting the filter base from the 
timing cover.  The job can be done without getting under the car, and the 
pump can be removed in less than an hour.

Regards,

Dean


At 04:41 PM 6/19/2003, you wrote:

> Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2003 11:49:10 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Terry O'Brien <t_b_obrien@domain.elided>
> Subject: Backfiring
>
> Ok, my new fuel pump is on it's way -- thanks to
> everyone who provided advice.  I now have a question
> about backfiring upon deceleration... what's the best
> way to test a fuel cutoff solenoid and microswitch?
> If either is the culprit, can they be replaced without
> removing the Spica pump?
>
> I checked the archives, but couldn't find what I was
> looking for - sorry if this is a repeat.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Terry
> '74 Spider
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