New Member needs help

[charlespontaven]

Hi, I've finally found time to begin restoring my 1981 fiat 2000 and would like to ask for some technical advice please. I live on the West coast of France and for the last 15 years my car has sat in the garage. The car originally came from Florida so it is a full US spec model. Up until about 4 years ago I used to start her up regularly just to keep the engine alive. When I tried to start the car about a month ago nothing worked. I changed the battery and eventually tracked the first problem to a faulty ignition switch. I rebuilt the switch and this remedied the electrical problem and now the car turns over and the fuel pump works. The car still would not start and I found out that no fuel was getting to the injectors. I decided to instal a new fuel pump and filter but still no joy. I connected a hose to the back of the fuel pump directly into a can of fuel and the car tried to start. I reconnected the fuel line and now the car starts for a few seconds then dies. Can anyone suggest what I should do next? Should I try to blow through the fuel lines behind the pump with compressed air? Should I take out the fuel tank and have it cleaned? Oh I forgot to say but the tank was always about a quater full during the years it was stored in the garage.

Thank you in advance

Charles

P.S I can't tell you how happy I am to have found this forum. The 124 spider was never commecialised in France so advice and help is very thin on the ground.

[MNspiderman]

Yep, first thing is to get rid of the old gasoline, it causes nothing but problems. If that doesn't work, ask another question on here and someone will surely help.

[meangreenspider]

I had the same problem with my 82 when I bought it after sitting for over 2 years. I drained and cleaned fuel tank, flushed lines and then had to remove fuel rail, soaked in fuel injection cleaner and manipulated the injector tips with a dental tool to free them up. After draining all cleaner from fuel rail and allowing it to dry I reinstalled and car runs well after a few other minor adjustments. This is not expert advice but just what worked for me. Good luck and I would like to see photos.

[charlespontaven]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try and find the time to take out the tank etc. Photos will follow. Cheers

[charlespontaven]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try and find the time to take out the tank etc. Photos will follow. Cheers

[Nancy1340]

Hopefully we will get a progress report along with photos.

Welcome

[baltobernie]

Should I try to blow through the fuel lines behind the pump with compressed air? Should I take out the fuel tank and have it cleaned?

There are some one-way valves, fuel/air separator and charcoal evaporative canister all interconnected, so I would recommend that all these items be labeled and disconnected before using (low-pressure) air to clean any obstruction. I also agree with the other posts about removing and cleaning the fuel tank. I wish I had installed a drain in my tank when I refurbished it If 15 years have passed without any repairs, I'd plan on replacing all of the moving rubber parts on the car. This may sound drastic, but brake hoses do not give any warning when they are about to let go. Ditto the timing belt and high-pressure fuel injection lines. Oh, and while you have the gas tank out, don't forget to replace the big (50mm) fuel filer hose