Prisma Questions (applies to Delta Gtie also)

[fire3500]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can suggest a fix for a problem on my Prisma, the car idles OK from start @ 1000rpm but after a run it pushes 1500rpm - 2000rpm range.

Is this a known issue on the Prisma 1600ie / Delta 1600GTie? If so, any tips on how to fix it?

Am struggling to locate a manual for the car, but very much enjoying the Prisma experience. Hoping to iron out a few bugs like this.

Have a few more niggles but this is the only one affecting running and so is my priority.

Many thanks Lancisti folks :-)

Pics of the car here for those that are interested http://picasaweb.google.com/ian.cleary/1990LanciaPrismaSymbol, planned mods are limited to some Eibach springs to bring the car down by @ 40mm and some HF Turbo / Integrale alloys, am interested to hear feedback from anyone that has lowered a Prisma as to the aesthetic and handling results, can't find any images online of lowered Prisma but I'm envisaging it looking quite neat.

/ic

[AllthingsZagato]

I suspect it may be the idle control valve. This is metal cylinder connected into the air intake system, you will know it when you see it, if I remember correctly it is around by the rear of the cylinder head. It hs a sprung piston to meter bypass air into the intake to control idel. This piston gets gummed up over time and sticks. You need to remove it from the car and clean it out. It is quite easy to strip I think it has a circlip retained end cap? the piston is set by a locknut on a threaded shaft. Count how many turns it takes to remove this. Remove the piston, springs and washer and clean them in neat petrol or brake cleaner then reassemble & refit. I am sure more people with similar experience wil chip in........

[rossocorsa]

i think it is unlikely to be the air valve but it is possible check if the valve is working warm the car up disconnect the electric connection to the valve and ideally clamp off the air supply from it to the engine as well then try to adjust idle via the air bypass screw to approx 850rpm unclamp the air supply and see what happens there should only be a slight increase in rpm plug the electrcal connector back on and the revs should rise and then drop if that happens the valve is ok if you can't achieve the 850 idle even with the valve out of circuit the fault lies elsewhere if unclamping the valve causes a big rise in revs the valve is stuck open try cleaning it as AllthingsZagato mentioned you might be lucky . otherwise temperature sensors (cheap) are favorites or the map sensor (relatively expensive) also check that the tube to the map sensor has no cracks or holes often the rubber hardens and cracks causing airleaks and false readings. in fact check for airleaks in general i have a fiat lancia tester but figure you probably don't live near me to give it a try

[fire3500]

Thanks for responses guys, I'll look into that in the morning :)

Grimsby... yes, that's a good twenty minutes at least :D I'm just outside Hull actually, nice to know I'm not the only Lancia fan in the area. We used to get our cars from Mountview in Horncastle as that was the closest dealer when Calvert in Hull lost the Lancia franchise :)

[A1.6HPE]

Hello fire3500,
I agree with rossacorsa - check for perished hoses in the inlet plumbing. I have had two grey Prisma Symbols, loved 'em both. In many respects they are better than the Delta equivalent.

[fire3500]

Yep, looks like I need to clean out the valve and replace a couple of perished hose connectors. Already had to replace a few rubber hose connectors to get the economy gauge re-connected and I suspect a couple of other rubbers have perished or worn... wondering what availability of a road-spec urethane bush kit is like, any suggestions?

I'm really enjoying the Prisma, and I concur with your comments on the merits of the Prisma vs. Delta. My Dad had an '89 Prisma Symbol and I had a real soft spot for that car (even with the brown dashboard ;) ). I'm finding the little Prisma is peppy enough that I get a buzz from driving it, without getting deep into licence-threatening Integrale territory.

If I can get the engine running perfectly, with that lovely elastic feel that I remember from former 1600ie Lancias, and sort out the other tactile aspects like gearshift quality then I can't see me feeling at all like my Prisma is the poor relation of anything! :D

Thanks for the tips so far, and please do suggest anything Prisma-related as I'm hungry for suggestions and guidance to get my car in tip-top health and driving as beautifully as I know they can.

[rossocorsa]

if you get really stuck you can come over and try the fiat lancia tester on it I think i should have the right module but maybe not for a few weeks as i have a dead Y10 to cure and decorating to finish!!