Wes Ingram has written a SPICA fuel system troubleshooting guide that will shed light on how the system works and diagnostic tests to run: http://www.wesingram.com/SPICA_Fuel_Supply_Diagnostic_Guide_Nov_2004.pdf . I have used it to figure out my SPICA problem of over pressurizing the fuel tank - I had to lower the fuel pressure from 18 psi to 10 psi.
Your new pump should produce the same noise level as before. Check that you are getting 12vdc at the pump. Especially check the ground for the pump. You need to get that pesky low pressure light to go out to get the car running. Check the main fuel filter in the engine compartment for any blockage. Also change all the fuel lines attached to the main filter housing and SPICA pump. Could be that one of them is blocking the fuel flow due to old age. The small SPICA pump filter is an oil filter that goes into the SPICA pump body. Look for a small triangle cover plate at the bottom of the pump and facing the passenger side fender. They are not changed often but are necessary. Not hard to change but are kinda messy. Bruce > > > Subject: [alfa] 1978 Spider problem still unresolved. > > Finally finished installing the new fuel pump in my 1978 Spider. Changed out > all the flexible hose between the gas tank and the piece in front of the pump. > Changed the in-line filter that's just behind the pump. Went to start the car, > with high hopes, but it starts and then fizzles right away. I didn't want to > try it too many times out of fear of damaging the pump if it's not getting > fuel, but four or five attempts got the same thing. Starts momentarily but > dies immediately. Fuel pressure light stays on.B > Interestingly, this appears to be an improvement--as before, the car would not > start at all. So I'm somewhat encouraged. However, I'm perplexed because the > fuel pump makes no sound, yet the car now does appear to be getting SOME fuel > now, because it at least starts. Before the problem began (and always) the > fuel pump was very obvious. You'd hear it as soon as you turned the ignition > key to the on position. Could the new pump just be MUCH quieter? It's a Bosch > L-jetronic. The same pump that was already on the car, so the dead pump > apparently wasn't the original pump (although all the fuel lines appear to > have been original). > Assuming the pump is working and is connected correctly (and I think it is > connected correctly), I'm guessing the problem is one of the other fuel > filters is clogged maybe? I have a new filter marked "DN 220 Spica fuel filter > Filotro gasolio-fuel-gas-oil, 37860000" purchased from IAP that is supposed to > be the correct one for this car. I also have a brand new small filter marked > "Spica injection pump filter"--very small with visible folds. God knows when > either of these were last changed. I'm hoping changing these will solve the > problem. Next challenge is to figure out how to change these.B > So: > 1. Given the symptoms, does it make sense to think the system is just getting > insufficient fuel because of possibly clogged filters?2. But, even so, > shouldn't the fuel pump be making noise?3. What else to think of at this > stage? -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
