Sorry to ask a question on my first post.

I have an old, but low mileage 1.4 Tipo that we use as an emergency car cos we live out in the sticks.
While giving it some checks today, I found that the carb (Weber TLDE) has literally come adrift of it's rubber block base and is basically floating free, with only the filter holding it down.
I've been a mechanic for about a million years, but specialised in another make and have never seen anything similar before.

There don't appear to be any other mounting bolts apart from the ones that fix it to the manifold.

Does anyone know of a fix for this problem, or does it mean a carb exchange?
I'd be grateful for any help,
Thanks.

Is this a rubber sandwich plate type arrangement which connects carb to inlet manifold? A similar arrangement is used on my Strada and they do perish and crackup with age and use. Only solution is to replace the sandwich plate for a good one if you can find one.

fiat still sell them at £25ish

thepottleflump said:

Is this a rubber sandwich plate type arrangement which connects carb to inlet manifold? A similar arrangement is used on my Strada and they do perish and crackup with age and use. Only solution is to replace the sandwich plate for a good one if you can find one.

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Yes it is the sandwich plate, but without taking it apart I couldn't see any fixing to the carb body, so thanks a lot for the info!


Thanks also Besbie, off to the Fiat agency on Monday!
I'll be ordering new manifold gaskets at the same time, but I'm not looking forward to the job.

Should be an easy job although I'm not familiar with the Tipo 1.4. Bit more difficult finding Strada parts these days, not listed on ePer anymore. Good luck fitting.

thepottleflump said:

Should be an easy job although I'm not familiar with the Tipo 1.4. Bit more difficult finding Strada parts these days, not listed on ePer anymore. Good luck fitting.

Click to expand...

I get 'connection refused' when I click the ePer link?

Eper - try here http://www.spangerum.com:7080/navi?...INT_MODE=0&EPER_CAT=SP&WINDOW_ID=1&GUI_LANG=3

SFB said:

Yes it is the sandwich plate, but without taking it apart I couldn't see any fixing to the carb body, so thanks a lot for the info!


Thanks also Besbie, off to the Fiat agency on Monday!
I'll be ordering new manifold gaskets at the same time, but I'm not looking forward to the job.

Click to expand...

That's right - the bolts go up from under the manifold. The 'sandwich plate' thus isn't really sandwiched at all - four 10mm bolts go up from the manifold and a second set of four 13mm bolts (or nuts, can't recall) are on the base of the carb. Effectively the whole thing is a (slightly) flexible mounting. It's very tricky to get to the 10mm bolts underneath but it is just possible (very slow job, allow an hour or two). If you're planning to remove the manifolds, that may be easier.

The Tipo would have been running awfully with the mounting base completely sheared... it's sensitive to vacuum leaks there.

-Alex

alexGS said:

That's right - the bolts go up from under the manifold. The 'sandwich plate' thus isn't really sandwiched at all - four 10mm bolts go up from the manifold and a second set of four 13mm bolts (or nuts, can't recall) are on the base of the carb. Effectively the whole thing is a (slightly) flexible mounting. It's very tricky to get to the 10mm bolts underneath but it is just possible (very slow job, allow an hour or two). If you're planning to remove the manifolds, that may be easier.

The Tipo would have been running awfully with the mounting base completely sheared... it's sensitive to vacuum leaks there.

-Alex

Click to expand...

Strange as it may seem, it was/is running fine!

The Haynes manual describes removal of the carb as necessitating removal of the manifolds. Having had a look, I can see the possibilty of doing it without removing them, but it would be very fiddly!
All will be revealed next week when I get down to doing it and I'll be posting a full report after!

thepottleflump said:

Eper - try here http://www.spangerum.com:7080/navi?...INT_MODE=0&EPER_CAT=SP&WINDOW_ID=1&GUI_LANG=3

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link.
I got as far as the page on 'carb, air cleaner,' but could get not further, 'Select a specific category' doesn't allow further investigation.
No sweat, I have ole Haynes and a few years experience to help.

Good news, we have an amazing general car spares shop in a nearby small town, I rang them this morning and they have the carb sandwich plate in stock!
I was amazed, my gabber was flasted.

Cost €30.

Part number 7 in diagram - Fiat part number 7589574

Note to mods, if this image is copyright and not allowed please remove/delete this post

thepottleflump said:

Part number 7 in diagram - Fiat part number 7589574

Note to mods, if this image is copyright and not allowed please remove/delete this post

Click to expand...

Nice one!

Problem is that the drawing isn't the same as the Tipo setup, it doesn't show the bolts coming from the underside of the inlet manifold to the 'sandwich' plate.
I'll be reporting back after the job is finished with any helpful details & tips, if I live that long.

Oh was taken from the Tipo but must say I only looked quickly, if you've got a chassis number I could type it in and identify the correct part.

thepottleflump said:

Oh was taken from the Tipo but must say I only looked quickly, if you've got a chassis number I could type it in and identify the correct part.

Click to expand...

Job done.

The local general parts shop had it in stock and I'm still amazed at that!

I had almost decided to remove the manifolds, when I realised that the only part that was hindering getting at the bolts from underneath the inlet manifold was the exhaust manifold shroud. That removed (3 nuts), it gave much easier access, saved a lot of time, effort and expense.

SFB said:

I had almost decided to remove the manifolds, when I realised that the only part that was hindering getting at the bolts from underneath the inlet manifold was the exhaust manifold shroud. That removed (3 nuts), it gave much easier access, saved a lot of time, effort and expense.

Click to expand...

I shall explore this next time the alternator needs attention

Tony M said:

I shall explore this next time the alternator needs attention

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No point Tony, the manifold shroud doesn't get in the way when removing the alt.

when i tryed to carry out said job i removed the shroud but still couldn't get at the four bolts to undo them! did u use any special/adapted tools? at the moment i'm hoping the exhaust will go again and i'll get it done then lol.

Nearly didnt see that link to ePER, Pottleflump. Now my life is complete. Thanx alot

J

Besbie said:

when i tryed to carry out said job i removed the shroud but still couldn't get at the four bolts to undo them! did u use any special/adapted tools? at the moment i'm hoping the exhaust will go again and i'll get it done then lol.

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None specially adapted, I have a fair selection of tools left from my mechanic days. A 1/4 drive socket set comes in handy, especially if the ratchet driver can be angled, part of a Kamasa set I've had for years.

As Mum used to say back in the 40s/50s, "Wise men nor fools can work without tools."

Plus I had years of fighting awkward to get at parts!