Wife says 84 Spider can go back on road!

petereardon · Post by **petereardon** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:34 pm

After ten years in garage, my wife recently gave the goahead (long story!). After $500 on new Pirelli P6's and a fresh battery, I rolled her out last weekend, turned the key and what do you know, she started right up on second try!

Anyone know a good Fiat mechanic in the Boston area? I'm no mechanic and I thought I should get it checked out before I start driving her. Any thoughts on what I should check for after ten years in garage? It still has old gas in the tank. I got plates today and I'm really eager to go for a cruise. She's an 84 Texas car with 41000 miles. I bought her from first owner in Jan 87 with 7200 miles and she's never seen a day of snow/salt.

Psyched!!!

jacksplace · Post by **jacksplace** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 12:17 am

I'd say don't drive too far before replacing all fluids.

jacksplace · Post by **jacksplace** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 12:20 am

P.S. Congratulations on phenomenal luck to get it to start after ten years and welcome aboard.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 6:21 am

I bet it's a cream puff! Congrats and don't forget to post pics. I'd have them check the timing belt, steering/suspension components and a tune up.

Jim DeShon · Post by **Jim DeShon** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 7:15 pm

I've started up many cars that have been in storage. Just go over all the rubber parts carefully. Of course, as Jacksplace said, change all the fluids. I usually will change the spark plugs and put a little oil in each cylinder and change the oil before I start it up but, it's already running now. Look at the brake hoses carefully. Best of "luck". J.D.

fiater · Post by **fiater** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 9:47 pm

One of my cars sat for a long time before I got it and I had alot of: rust in the gas tank, tar in the fuel lines and sludge in the oil pan. I'd change the oil ASAP and if you believe in Motor Flush, I'd use it. I had to drop my pan to clean out the sludge! If you believe in fuel treatement, I'd use that too. If you have a rusty gas tank, you'll have to re-line or replace it. I'd replace the timing belt, just to be safe. You may be luckier than I was (I hope) Good luck.

Jim DeShon · Post by **Jim DeShon** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 12:06 pm

I believe the fuel system is probably the thing that suffers the most, especially with a fuel injected engine. My Spider has sat for 12 years indoors, and dry (except for the fuel tank)

. I think that not draining the tank was a mistake. I'll probably have to remove the tank and flush it out when I get the engine back together. Also changing the fuel filter is a must ! I hope to get it running this summer.

...J.D.

petereardon · Post by **petereardon** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 12:45 pm

Thanks a ton guys for the input! I'm a total numbnuts when it comes to mechanical stuff, but I've always thought the Spider was the best looking car ever made, so I've owned one since '81!

I'm going to assemble all your suggestions and drop off car this week with a 72 year old Portugese guy who I'm told really knows Fiats. (Fortunately I bought the complete factory shop manual back in '87 knowing good Fiat mechanics would become increasingly hard to find, particularly up here in the Northeast).

Couldn't resist putting 20 miles on her yesterday tooling around town (with my AAA Plus card in hand just in case!). Runs pretty good at low RPM, but bogs down above 3000. I'm just thrilled it runs at all! I think I got real lucky!

Any other tips on what to check to build a little confidence are greatly appreciated. Hope to be able to put the AAA card back in the wallet eventually. I'll take some pics and try and post 'em when I get it back from the mechanic. Thanks again for the input.

Pete