Start From Scratch
 

I would start by getting the vehicle off the shop's lot ASAP. They could charge a lot fee for holding onto it if you don't get repairs done there (just another arm twist to try to soak you further).

From there I would start with the basics. Sounds as if the people you brought it to are taking a random troubleshooting approach.

Could be as simple as a timing adjustment.

Good luck, Gordo

Thanks Gordo. The fees will be ridiculous I assume. It is probably just out of gas anyway.

Glad to help :)

How do I like my 73.5? I'll let you decide, I drive it to work at least once per week and we go on tours and Autocross whenever we can!

Harry - your car is very cool! Who'd you buy it from in Washington? I noticed the Washington plates on your homepage. I'm from there and my dad had a used "vw" dealership in Seattle. BTW, he has no idea of my car troubles. He would not be very happy.

I bought as the 4 th owner from a fellow in Kelso. Not much in the way of documentation so what I saw was what I got. good price but need a Top end refresh ($$$).

Hang in there. You will soon be driving the worlds best motorcar.

FWIW, a "ground loop" means that some of the grounds are really "ground" - instead there is a small voltage difference and electricity flows from one ground to another, forming a loop.

Don't let the husband do research. ... esp. if he is a lawyer too.....
Keep him focused on the Alfa; if it runs now, it will break soon enough.

Liz,

My vote is to get the car away from that shop ASAP! Your problems may not even be ignition related. The troubleshooting needed isn't particularly difficult or exotic!

The Bosch CDI units are not typically intermittent when they fail ... so my assumption is that your electrical system is suffering from age and corrosion at some of the connections, if the problem is even electrical! It most likely isn't a fatal problem requiring a new ignition box ...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/158541-ignition-troubleshooting.html

Here is a thread with some Bosch technical publications on the CDI unit and bench test procedures that can be done fairly easily out of the car ...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=160537&highlight=bosch+ permatune

Liz,

Welcome to the Board.

I agree, get your vehicle out of the current shop.

Replace the CIS vacuum hoses in the engine compartment. The inside diameter is 3mm for most of the hoses. You can get them (non fabric) at any autoparts store. I needed 12-15 feet. Cost $15-18.

One thing mentioned in previous posts, things we neglect to maintain, you should flush and reseal the gas tank. Lots of crud can accumulate over time and could be clogging the screen at the base of the tank.

Vacuum leaks are a bear. Trouble shooting them is easy with patience.

Another suggestion is replace the fuel pump relay. Cheap fix and not a bad idea to have an extra anyways.

If vacuum leaks are the issue, once the lines are replaced, your idle and fuel/air mixture will need to be adjusted. Please make sure a sniffer in the pipe is used.

Report your findings. This board will save you a tone of $$$$$.

HMM I missed a lot last night. Do as everyone has said. Get the car out of that Shop. There are many people in the Chicago area that can help you with the car. You will be in good hands with Gruppe B.

Since the car runs I don't think you need a new ignition system. A tuneup.. Yes. Cleaning electrical contacts... yes. Fuel system adjustment... Most likely.

Liz,

A few of the Chicago Gruppe B'ers are coming by the house this Saturday to help with an engine drop. If you can get the car away from the mechanic and drive it out to Geneva (Western Burb), maybe we could take a look.

Mike - that sounds great. I will keep you posted. I would love to swing by if the thing is running. My AAA membership has really paid off! Thanks again.

Liz and I talked about this a bit, but with the baby I haven't really been able to help.

The place wanted to charge her $600 for new plug wires with no indication why. Clearly they looked up the retail price online and then doubled the price.

SHe clearly felt uncomfortable about the place. I told her that that feeling is usually right and she should pay the diagnostic fee and get the car out. Even if she doesn't take it to me, it should go to someone else.

Souk's out of town right now as well, but I've discussed this one with him. Liz, hang tight and we will get you sorted out, and, unless you blew the motor, it's not going to be $3500!!!

Chris - congrats on the new edition! I really appreciate the post. As per your earlier email, I understand how busy you are right now. I will be in touch with you next week and will drop off the car at your convenience. These guys really sing your praises! Nearly everyone that has responded has mentioned you and I think that says something. You are well liked and appreciated by many. I look forward to your help and can't wait to meet you. Enjoy the little one and I will be in touch soon.

ps - I probably blew the motor.

Hi Liz..been out of town, but I found the thread so you won't get a PM reply. Just drove 5+ hours straight from Ohio and I'm going to hit the sack. Shoot me an e-mail with your contact and we'll see of we can't fix you up. I'll get with Chris too.

e-mail: "souk at comcast dot net"

U da man, Souk! Will be in touch. Chris has all the details. Get some sleep and catch up on all the T&A on the gruppe b site...

I just found this thread

$3500! :eek:

With patience and a desire to learn there is SO much you can do with one of these cars and $3500 bucks!

Remember guys, she has NO garage to work in, it's rainy, it's cold, and the Chicago winter is approaching! Help her fast!

Liz- Welcome...one thing you will learn here is that if someone like me says something, it might be good advice, but if Early S Man says something, its the real deal. I think he has 10,000 posts, and 99.8% were accurate!

Chris and Souk are great guys with great integrity as well. And local! They will get you going, and you'll feel much better about your car.

If all else fails, and you NEED to get the car running for work etc, you might try looking up "Midwest Eurosports". I was once stranded with Mechanical Injection problems (which can be dicey to the uneducated) in Chicago, and they were awesome, fast and cheap. Of course, that was years ago, they may not be in business, or have turned to shucksters, but it's a thought.

Good luck, and yes, drag that car out of that guys shop post haste!

Well said.

Something to ponder: I suspect that she may be closer to a "checkbook mechanic" than some of us here but that does not mean that she should not be educated in how things work. That way she can tell if the guy she is paying is a straight shooter and know what questions to ask and answers to expect.

I hope she gets the car out of that shop and into a place where her money and time will be respected.

I have a great mach in Arlington hights if any one need.