Classic Alfa Forums

I thought I’d put a piece on the correct thread for our new addition (maybe we should have a 916 lounge) Charlotte wanted a modern classic ragtop and it came down to either a Merc SLK ?? Another MX5 or a spider. So here we have our 99 Spider 2.0ts. Bought as non runner due to a “Knocking” from the engine.
Price paid was proportionate to that diagnosis. (Given that prices for these seem to be on the up)
The car is generally very tidy but not concours. The paintwork is very acceptable with no signs of the usually lacquer peel or accident damage. I’m not touching it until I’ve got the turbo spider running again then this can go straight in the garage and I’ll assess the level of damage.
Regardless of what I find I intend to fully rebuild a fresh engine to original spec. Luckily I know where there is a stash of good core engines that I can hopefully have a pick through if I need major components.

Silver turbo spider finally back together and sound really sweet . Hopefully weather tomorrow will be dry so I can do the big switcharoo. And make a start on this little beauty. It’s still on the trailer but I’ve already refurbished the grille and fitted a nice new badge !! looks better already.

Big switcharoo done red spider in the garage and sliver one on trailer under a sheet (got no roof).
Tomorrow I’ll start the investigation into the bottom end of the red car. I’ll start by dropping the oil and pulling the sump off. I’ll then remove the BE caps and inspect the crank journals I’m assuming it knackered but I can live in hope it’s not too bad

Mmmm. Think I’ve found the problem !!!
Crank could be worse but would need a first undersize grind if I wanted to use it again.

Knock knock!

Who’s there ? Rod ! Rod who ? Rod knocker

Managed to get the old Engine and gearbox out today pulled all the pistons and rods out and if it hadn’t been number one that went it could of been any of the other three as they’re all showing signs of starting to pick up on the shells. So next stop is a trip to Uncle Kev to reaquire a core lump that I’ll
go through and refresh. It’s should save me having to have the crank ground and hopefully speed up the rebuild

Oh yeah and the clutch was knackered aswell along with the slave cylinder so that would of been a failure waiting to happen . Obviously I’ll replace all knackered parts during this rebuild

So I had a nice little trip to see uncle Kev today. Managed to grab a TS engine that I know the history of. It’s a complete CF 2 that came out of Nick Anderson’s Yellow race car when I built a fresh engine for him.
It’s done 140k but it was running ok with good oil pressure and no noises or obvious issues.
Next job is to get it on my engine stand and pull the head off. I’ll then clean the block and pull off the sump. I’m not expecting any crank issues but will fit new bearing a as a matter of course. Once I’m happy with the bottom end I’ll refit the short motor and gearbox back in the car. Then I’ll strip a head and completely decoke and replace all seals and gaskets , grind all valves and fit new valve stem seals ,buckets and a variator.
I’m looking forward to getting this little Spider back together

Wot about your Sud Lou?
Is it on the back burner?

The sud is still an active project but it has slowed just recently as we’ve been doing some work on the house and garden and may even be extending the garage to make a 5 car. I need the red spider done as we’re going to use it as an alternative Daily Over the winter.

Better source that hard top!

alfadave wrote: ↑Mon Nov 01, 2021 11:00 pm Better source that hard top!

The search is on !

Engine refresh work started .got the sump off. So far it’s looks really good I’ve got to buy another engine stand tomorrow then i can get it off the hoist, remove the head and have a proper look

After speaking to Nick Anderson (this is his old engine out of his race car). He gave me some background in the engines condition and mileage as a result I decided to restrict my efforts to a clean up and inspect instead of a full rebuild. This will allow us to start to use the car asap. So I’ve now got the it All back in. I’ve still got a few bits to finish like drive shafts, exh manifold and front pipe. Along with all the belts, lubricants and coolant all being well this time next week it’ll be a runner. I’ll now finish stripping the old engine and I’ll get the crank ground so at least It becomes a useable spare. But this can be done at my leisure
Lou

I finally got the spider back together and running. Initially it started fine but was running a bit rough tbh but after a few moments it settled down to a normal idle and sounded ok. With no lights on the dash or any other odd signs. The lifters Weren’t Totally silent (but it has stood for 3-4 yrs) I’m hoping that after a good road test They should settle down.
Then the weird started ! I was just tidying my tools up and letting the car warm through. When after about 10 mins it just shut off no noises or any bad sounds just as if I’d turned it off with the key. Tried to restart and it turns but No vroom vroom . Pretty sure all my earths are ok but I will check them. So not quite there yet . (Yes the code light goes out) I’m thinking it’s a duff sensor probably the TDC sensor or fuel pull relay but anyone got any other Suggestions.

Put some more petrol in it

It’s actually showing a full tank Kev and I can believe it as the story the seller gave me would make that very probable . He was a trader who used the car and replaced the sump due to an oil leak . He then sold the car to a guy that worked at Aston Martin who drove it for 40miles when it statred to knock. As a dealer he ended up buying the car back.
I know when ever I buy a car they usually only have a couple of gallons in so first stop is usually a gas station to fill up

Can you get hold of a code reader?

Hi Dave. I’ve actually have got a Sykes Pickavant reader that we used to use at the garage I’m sure I’ll get it sorted when all this snow buggers off . It’s pre OBD 2 which suits the spider I used it to help sort out the Coupider conversion .

Ob la di, or Ob la da ?

Just ask Desmond.

Fuel cut off switch?

alfadave wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 5:34 pm Fuel cut off switch?

Already checked Dave but thanks anyway .

so after the engine cutting out issue last week I left the car all weekend (it’s been too bl***y cold) I went in the garage this morning and tried it. The car started straight up with no problem. But then again just as it started to warm up. Bam it stopped. This was a good thing as it meant the problem seamed to be repeatable at a set temp.
So I disconnected the fuel pipe from the rail and popped in in a tub turned the ignition on and fuel pumped for the usual 2-3 secs. But then I cranked it and NO fuel. This lead me to conclude the issue was the TDC sensor as the ecu needs to see engine rotation to trip the pump relay again.
So As I had another TDC sensor i quickly swapped it over and hey presto car started straight away.
(As the spare is a S/H one i might treat it to a new one to try to avoid a problem in the future)
I’ve since run the car up to temp 3 times till the fan cuts in and all seems well. Even the odd noisy lifter has shut up. So all in all a good day .
Next stop finish putting the remaining bits back in including all the plastic bits and then get some insurance and tax then a a first road test

Well done Lou, a great result. Roll on warmer weather.
I had to smile to myself when I read that you will re-build the other engine "at your leisure". You are always on the go, like Kev !!
It has been cold, I had to change the battery on my Giulietta at the weekend and that wind cuts right through.

Thanks Keith. Yeah I’m quite pleased. Eventually I’ll be Give it a nice set of new Pirelli’s

Is it worth cleaning up the duff TDC sensor?
Dirt on them can make them malfunction.

Dave. The TDC sensor on the TS engine actually fits through a hole in the block and picks up in a phonic wheel on the crank so it doesn’t get rust and crud on it. (Or should I say if you get rust and crud on it you’ve got bigger problems !! ) tbh It’s not uncommon for them to fail And they’re only about £30 so I’ll get one from Alfashop tomorrow

Used to be a common failure on the JTD.s, I should have thought of it and mentioned it efore, but then my memory is getting worse and worse.
Glad you solved the mystery

Thanks Kev. I’ve done a bit so was confident I’d sort it