Trying to learn in advance of delivery of my 500L. Anyone know what the spring noted in the attached picture is for? It doesn't look like it's doing anything, and doesn't look like it's supposed to be hooked to that eye (engine hoist point?) I'm not seeing the same spring on other engines.

Looks like it is hooked onto the 'choke' lever to hold it closed?

It is not standard in any way, I can't see, but I gather you don't have a working choke cable set up or if you do, the cable has issues closing the choke.

Joe R

Thanks Joe - That helps. I'll ask the seller why it's been jury rigged like that.

The choke cable and throttle cable both run through the central tunnel and look similar. (Wire running in a sleeve) You must have the throttle cable and assuming I am correct, can you see cable running to the choke? It will be connected to the same arm the spring is connected to but running towards the front of the car. I had a quick look in the parts manual, I can't find a diagram showing the cable connected.

Joe R

Please check your choke cable it might not be attached properly, look where the red arrow is in photo. Dismantle & check it. There is Suppose to be a little spring around the lever of the choke in the carburetor maybe its broke and someone attached the big spring.

Maybe the choke cable is old and stiff and does not move smoothly it could be stuck. Take the cable out & use wd40 to see if it moves much more freely if not replace the cable.

Although the spring is attached to the choke lever, it looks like the main part of the spring is on the throttle lever - possibly holding it closed?
If you take it off does the throttle stick and the engine rev too high? could be you need a new throttle cable.

Thanks guys. I actually don't even have the car yet, so I can't investigate more than photos. But I'll ask the seller what the reason is. Sounds like choke cable replacement isn't a big deal (nor is the replacement too expensive). Hopefully throttle cable is also not a big deal, if it turns out to be that.

I'm more concerned that the choke return spring on the carburetor is bad or broken. I didn't want to have to immediately get into disturbing and rebuilding the carb, and if the repair could be limited to a spring, I'm not sure where I'd get a replacement spring anyway.

One thing I would say (I am prepared to be shot down)
I have always been told oiling cables is very bad as it allows dust and dirt to stick... this then gums up the cable.
I have been recently looking into Grease (no not the film, I just am a very sad person) in particular the grease that should be used for brakes etc...
the red stuff, lithium and silicon.. ohh what a can of worms that is...

Uaglio said:

I'm more concerned that the choke return spring on the carburetor is bad or broken. I didn't want to have to immediately get into disturbing and rebuilding the carb, and if the repair could be limited to a spring, I'm not sure where I'd get a replacement spring anyway.

Click to expand...

There is no external Spring fitted to the choke/fuel enrichment device. There is an internal bronze Spring. If when you get the car you remove the big ugly Spring and disconnect the cable the choke arm should move freely and Spring back to the off position under its own steam. If it does not you will have to investigate inside the carb. If it does Spring back then you know that the problem is with the cable. The cable type also is not the multi strand Bowden type cable but a single springy strand.

OK - heard back from the seller and the explanation is that it's an old trick used to spring load the choke lever & cable. The spring counters the choke lever. So when the choke lever is released in the cabin, it "automatically" springs back down and closes. I'm told this is often done as a way to "automate" the choke closure, helping folks who would sometimes forget to return the choke lever after starting and warming the engine, inadvertently running the car with an open choke (no good). When I get the car, I'll play around with it to see how it works.

I worked for Radbourne Racing and Croall & Croall (main Fiat dealer in Edinburgh) and have NEVER come across that scenario! Sounds to me like the seller is a good story teller--Check the 'choke' operation, including the operation of the device in the carb carefully.

The enrichment device "choke" has to be released gradually, not just opened or closed, as the engine warms through so this story sounds like complete poppy-cock to me. I'd take the rest of any other stories he has with a large pinch of salt as he sounds like he'll tell you anything!

Lol - thanks guys. I’ll give it a close look once I get the car in. Worst case it seems like crappy choke operation and /or choke return spring. Or maybe sticky cable. I have a soft expectation that the whole engine is short lived once I get it, due to the 18 hp impracticality.