Help!!Don´t know where to start

[roller95]

Hi everyone my name is Howard and I just joined yesterday. I´m enjoying reading all the experiences everyone is having with their fiats..... they really are special cars..... I purchased my fiat spider brand new back in 1978....It´s navy blue with tan interior. When I bought it I lived in Washington.Dc. drove it for about three or for years then I moved to New york City and quickly learned that I couldn´t keep the car in the city. So I took it back to D.C. and put it in the garage, took out the battery, covered it, and thats where it has set for the last 25 years.... It looks ok, a bit dusty..but I would like to get it running and back on the road..... Where do you start? What do you do to a car that hasn´t run in 25 years? I Have to admit, that I ´m I person that knows nothing about working on cars, and have the feeling that I´m going to get taken to the bank trying to take on this project. Where do you start? Can you still find parts? How much do restorations generally cost?

[mdrburchette]

First of all, welcome to the forum! The first thing I would do is contact the local Fiat club in your area. Check out the people here: http://www.dcfiats.org/

I have a 70 model that hasn't been started in 25 years sitting in my garage. The first thing I plan to do after putting 4 round tires on it is to try turning the engine by hand to make sure it's free. After that, I would suggest replacing the timing belt, changing fluids, getting rid of the old gas. If it starts, then you could make a list of all rubber hoses, tune up items, brakes, and the list goes on.

[Danno]

WOW, bought it NEW in 87?!?!?! I hope you got a good deal on it as they stopped making them in 85. At any rate, it sounds like you'll have your work cut out for you, but a couple of questions to ask. Is the garage conditioned? concrete floor? very humid? I know you'll hear 100 people say it, but anything that is rubber is probably cracked and failed or will fail shortly, so replace hoses and lines and certainly get the gas out and maybe clean the tank.

[Danno]

Oh, and of course change all the fluids, and I do mean all.

Also, for what it's worth, here's what I'd do (but I'm not known to be a smart man)
1. Visual check of all hoses and rubber and plug wires. Change anything that looks like it will leak if it has any sort of pressure on it.
2. drain the gas out of the tank (I think that is easier on your FI model than on my cab'd model)
3. Change out oil and filter
4. Change out Coolant
5. If brake lines look ok leave them be and top off the fliud. Do not drive with the old brake fluid, though, just work on getting the car going before working on stopping.
6. No reason to not change out plugs, so I'd do that too.
7. I'd put a new air filter in it.
8. Try to start it and come back here when it won't start.
9. after you get it going, change all brake fluid
10. Fix problems as they occur. you will have problems due to it sitting so long, I can almost guarantee it.

[pope]

Please send in lots of pictures and include interior

[So Cal Mark]

After changing the fluids as suggested, I'd precondition the motor before trying to start it. Remove the spark plugs and pour either a top cylinder lube or auto trans fluid into each spark plug hole. Let it sit for a couple of days, then as Denise suggested, turn the motor over by hand.
Once you get to the point of trying to start it, you may find all of the injectors are stuck with varnished fuel. More than likely you'll have to remove them to have them cleaned.
If you towed that car into a shop, I'd be prepared to spend about $2K to get it roadworthy

[fiatS2000]

WOW, bought it NEW in 87?!?!?! I hope you got a good deal on it as they stopped making them in 85. At any rate, it sounds like you'll have your work cut out for you, but a couple of questions to ask. Is the garage conditioned? concrete floor? very humid? I know you'll hear 100 people say it, but anything that is rubber is probably cracked and failed or will fail shortly, so replace hoses and lines and certainly get the gas out and maybe clean the tank.

I'm pretty sure he's talking about an X1/9

[mbouse]

Following up on Mark's suggestion to pour a tablespoon full of auto trans fluid down the spark plug holes, letting it set for a day, and repeating. turn it over by hand before reinstalling the plugs, as Denise says. THEN proceed with the other fluid changes.

don't be impatient. a little extra time now can prevent some serious trouble caused by being hasty and skipping a step.

[baltobernie]

Hello Howard, and welcome!

Believe it or not, the DC area is home to one of the largest collections of Fiats outside of SoCal, and a very active club, as Denise has mentioned; more than 100 cars. Last Saturday was Tech Day, where 20+ members met at a local independent shop in College Park and watched the proprietor, Guildo, perform a brake job and answer questions. Also a couple of tables stocked with good, questionable and bad brake parts and accessories. We may not have the weather yet, but the enthusiasm is there!

[roller95]

Thanks guys for all your help and suggestions I think this gives a place to start. And I think it will be fun to try and do some of these things myself.. (even though I may not be able to turn it over by hand, Didn´t even know it was possible!) and Danno thanks for catching the mistake... This is what happens with age .... I Made the correction though.. I bought my fiat 124 in
1978!!!! While they were still making them!

[So Cal Mark]

there were still new 124s on the showroon floor in 87, unsold 85 models

[mbouse]

yeah, we generally tolerate Danno.... since he is the spelling bee expert.

and, we are glad we got you on your way...some good advice mixed in with some gentle ribbing never hurt anyone.

[Danno]

yeah, we generally tolerate Danno.... since he is the spelling bee expert.

and, we are glad we got you on your way...some good advice mixed in with some gentle ribbing never hurt anyone.

Thank God I'm so perfect and never make mistakes. What would you all do without me?

[Jazgeek]

umm... didn't he say 78?

not 87?

anyway, I agree with the trying to turn it by hand. My cousin had a 68 vw beetle that he thought he could get going but when he insisted we push it down the street and pop the clutch he tore the clutch to pieces in the middle of the street because of the torque of the seized motor

I'm more of a "let the expert take care of it" kind of guy... I'd get it flat bedded to a reputable shop and let them come back to me with what is absolutely necessary, what is required, what is recommended and what would be nice to get done. From there I'd let the shop do the really hard stuff and try out fixing some of the recommended stuff myself after reading the manuals and asking a million questions here.

[So Cal Mark]

what an excellent plan