Questions and Answers

Fiat 1800 Fuel Drains Back Overnight Q. I have a 1978 Fiat 1800 similar to Fiat Spyder. The car sits one day and the fuel line from fuel tank to carburetor is empty and the fuel bowl in the carburetor is almost empty. There is an external diaphragm, or check valve, between the fuel line from the tank and the fuel pump. Is there a way to check the operation of the check valve?

I am told they do not make them for Fiats any longer. Is there an aftermarket alternative?

Thanks,
David

A. The best way to test a check valve is to blow through it. You should be able to blow through from one direction but not the other. If you can blow through it in both directions it's no good.

If it is no good and no replacement is available from Fiat, toy will need to take the old one to a parts store and try to match one up. I'm pretty sure you will find one that will work.

If not, you can switch to a low pressure electric fuel pump that has a check valve built in.