Car won't start

[FiatnamedCarmen]

Proud new owner of a 1982 Fiat Spider 2000. She's a beauty. Needs tlc but I'm in love. Bought her from a friend who had it in her moms garage for at least 6 years. Has about 150,000 miles on it. She was driving it down Laurel Canyon (LA) during rush hour one day and it quit. It started next day, ran for a couple more weeks, then died again and she parked it, unable to find anyone to work on it. I took one look and had to have her! Thank goodness my husband and father in law are mechanically inclined. They worked on her all day and were able to get her to turn over and the motor tried to start with the use of starting fluid. It backfired out the intake every time they tried to start it. Cleaned spark plugs, they look good. Changed oil and filter. Cleaned air intake. Added gas. They are thinking it's not getting fuel, possibly fuel pump or injectors. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated from you gurus! Thanks so much
Stephanie
1982 Fiat Spider 2000

[vandor]

If it sat that long the injectors could be clogged. They need to get a Noid light for Bosch fuel injection at an auto parts store and put it in one of the injector connectors to see if it flashes when they are trying to start it.
If it does flash then the electronics are working and it's likely clogged injectors (try tapping them with a screw driver) or fuel pump.
Might not be a bad idea to pull the fuel level sending unit and peek into the gas tank. If it's rusty it might be a good idea to get a new one before starting the car and possibly contaminating the fuel pump. They are not too expensive.

[Lkcast]

i had the same problem with my 81 spider after giving it much thought i simply purchased a new fuel pump and filter and the started like it wanted to run. it has been running every since. good luck

[So Cal Mark]

before attempting to start it again, I'd check the timing belt to make sure all of the timing marks are aligned

[RRoller123]

OK Injectors will clean the injectors at a reasonable price and turnaround.

[FiatnamedCarmen]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! I'm going to pass them on to the crew and see if I can convince them to spend thier Saturday on my new obsession.

[Ellie]

My 82 had a similar problem, Most days she ran perfectly, but just every now and then she would cough and die intermittently. After sitting for a few hours or over night, She'd try to start but would run rough, backfiring, blowing smoke and not starting. Problem was a faulty wire on the cooling sensor. The injectors just kept pouring in the petrol. May be something completely different but worth checking.

[FiatnamedCarmen]

Removed the fuel pump, it's not working at all. Going to try that, hope it works! Thanks again for your advice.

[FiatnamedCarmen]

She almost started! Question: the high pressure line to the injector tube is leaking, line is cracked. How do you replace that? Do you have to replace the whole injector system or can you just replace the line?

[azruss]

not a whole lot of fun getting that sucker off. If that hose is cracked, your short injector hoses may be ready to go, so might be worth while changing them all out.

[FiatnamedCarmen]

Ok thank you. They cut them out and are putting them in with clamps. I hope this does the trick to at least get it started...then we will move on to the next thing, haha!

[vandor]

Be sure they use hose rated for fuel injection!! It should say on if "For fuel injection"
Most of the time the parts stores just give you the cheap hose that is not rated for the higher pressure of fuel injection.

[ClarkTheShark]

Be sure they use hose rated for fuel injection!! It should say on if "For fuel injection"
Most of the time the parts stores just give you the cheap hose that is not rated for the higher pressure of fuel injection.

Yup, AutoZone tried to push off that cheapo 50psi line on me.

Be prepared to spend -$6 a foot for fuel injection fuel line. It should last a long time though.