Technical Throttle

[Giardiniera1969]

My Fiat 500 Giardiniera started having a low idle issue today. Basically, when I come to a stoplight and let my foot completely off the gas pedal, the car will idle low until it stalls. I have to keep giving it a little gas at a complete stop in order for it not to stall. Can someone talk me through how to adjust the throttle? Thanks in advance!

 

[Bambino]

Hi G69,

Given that the car is running well in every other respect, it's possible that the idle adjustment screw has loosened allowing the butterfly to close completely when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

It's arrowed in the attached photos. Lift your engine cover, find the carby on the right and once you've found the screw turn it clockwise a turn or two. Then start the engine and adjust the screw it in (c'wise) or out (ac'wise) until the engine idles without stalling.

The little Weber carbies fitted to these cars (26OC) and the sedans (24/26/28 IMB) are very simple with only two adjustments possible - idle and mixture.

Chris

 

[Giardiniera1969]

Thanks! Yep, the screw was very loose, probably vibration worked it out. One turn was all it took.