General Gas Leak

[vvatc]

I've noticed that a couple times a month, after I've gone for a drive and then parked in the garage, that my Giardiniera will leak gas. A couple guys at a club meeting last night said it could be the carburetor. From what I understand, if the float is bad in the carb, that the gas could seep up and out. I can't seem to find exactly where it's leaking from - pretty much the motor is wet on the carburetor side. I put a new fuel pump in about six months ago and it doesn't appear to be leaking from the pump or the lines. What do you all think about the carb? I'm sure it could stand to be rebuilt - I'll probably buy a rebuild kit this summer.

Bud

 

[Bambino]

I think the wagons were fitted with a Weber 26 OC, not the IMB like the sedans. I know that kits are available for the IMBs but I'm not sure about the OCs. You may have to hunt around a bit - ironically Italy may be the best place to look. Either way, these carbies are easy to rekit and tune.

Also check all of the connections from the fuel line to the carburettor - I guess you're going to do this anyway. If it's any consolation, fuel leaks are usually fairly easy to source and fix.

I don't have much more advice except disconnect the battery and don't smoke while you are poking around in the engine bay

Chris

 

[vvatc]

It is a weber carb. I'll have to fire off a few emails to Italy and see if anyone can find me a rebuild kit. They may even be available here, I don't know. I've never rebuilt a carb before. I know it's a small one but still a little scarey!

 

[Bambino]

I have some information, but not much.

It is a side draft single throat carburettor - hence the name, orizzontale corpo (OC), with a 26mm throat diameter and fitted with a 20mm choke (venturi).

In the Giardiniera it was equipped with the following tunable components:

Main jet 1.05mm
Idle jet 0.45mm
Starting jet 0.80mm F3
Main air corrector 2.10mm
Needle valve 1.25mm

There is some information (above) in the Haynes Owners Workshop Manual for the Fiat 500 including some useful photos.

There is also one for sale in the US on eBay motors. It does not have a float, but for about $40 it would make a good parts donor or just one to pull apart to get used to where everything goes.

Good luck - it's not hard - and let us know how you go, with photos

Chris