new to fiat spiders

[e0nz]

Hi guys, I'm new to these forums and have been searching through old forums posts to see if I could resolve my car issues. My car was in extremely good running condition until "flushing" and cleaning out the engine. I own a 1985 Automatic Pininfarina Spider. What I did today was buy an engine cleaning product and I put it through the top where the motor oil goes. I then rinsed it out my engine with water. To make sure there was no water left I took compressed air and cleaned it out from top to the bottom. I then put in 4 quarts of Motoroil. I also wet everything under the hood accidently when using the hose. I then air cleaned it. I tried to turn the car on but the key wouldn't move at all. I can put the key in but I can't move it at all. Help?

[fiat218]

why flush it when you said it was extremely running well
what was the product ed you use?

[e0nz]

yes it running extremely well, but i wanted the inside of the engine to be spotless lol =/
I don't remember the exact brand but it was 10w-30? or 10-30w

[e0nz]

if this helps at all, there were 3 "exposed" wires when i was cleaning out under the hood, I didn't cover anything up like an idiot and some water got into where the spark plugs were and everywhere. I air cleaned everything afterwards with compressed air.

[maytag]

eOnz: I get the feeling we're all being "punked".

Did you REALLY try to flush it all out by putting water through the crankcase? Don't go getting offended by the question. If you did, that's a new one to me, but we all gots ta learn somewhere.

Nothing you did under the hood would make your key not turn. It may do nothing when you turn it, and we could diagnose that abit. But if the key physically will not turn, as you say, then you have an issue at the switch that is unrelated to anything else you've done. (I guess it is theorhetically possible that a water-caused short under the hood could've fused somethng inside the switch... but that possibility is so remote as to be almost not wrth mentioning)

You need to figure-out why that key won't turn.

[e0nz]

You really made me feel dumb.... but if that's what it's called.... yes, I did
Honestly, I just thought it would leave the whole inside of the engine clean, so I completely rinsed out all the inside. And yes, like you said, I really need to find a way to fix it. Hopefully it turns on tomorrow morning.

[maytag]

SORRY. No intention of making ya feel dumb. Like I said, we've all got to learn somehwere.

So, as I said, the key not turning will have nothijng to do with anything you've described doing so far. You coulod climb in there and look at what is blocking that jey from turning.

[jimincalif]

If the key won't turn, did you try simply pulling the steering wheel one direction or another while trying to turn the key? There may be some tension against the wheel lock.

If you put water in the engine, it may be best that the key would not turn, as starting it right away may cause damage if there is still water in there. It is good that you put new oil in, but you might need to do more before starting the car. And you should do it ASAP as moisture in there could cause rust on all sorts of surfaces that should not get wet.

I'd suggest drain the oil again, and change the filter. Remove the spark plugs, pour a bit of automatic transmission fluid in the cylinders, crank the engine a bit with the plugs out to circulate oil without putting any load on bearings, etc. If all is well then replace the plugs and see if you can get it running. If so, run it up to full operating temp for a few minutes, then change the oil and filter again.

There are instructions online for this sort of thing for marine engines, especially outboards. I had a small outboard get submerged in salt water once. I quickly got it opened up and bathed it in a whole can of WD-40, it lived and ran again. Do some googling.

[e0nz]

I'm getting it fixed and I might do what you suggested jimin, so thank you. Thanks again for the help guys.

[e0nz]

Turns out the starter was burnt. The mechanic I took it to said it was from too much cranking, which is true... So I should have it fixed Thursday or by Friday the latest. Can I the people here on the forums, how much cranking on the engine is too much?

[chrisfiat]

i am not buying this one

[kmead]

Turns out the starter was burnt. The mechanic I took it to said it was from too much cranking, which is true... So I should have it fixed Thursday or by Friday the latest. Can I the people here on the forums, how much cranking on the engine is too much?

Thirty seconds cranking and five minutes to cool. I was taught to never just let it crank, it should be doing something in the first few tries, if it isn't you should be looking for why its not starting.

[e0nz]

kmead, thank you for telling me that. But don't you think holding your hand for 30 seconds on the ignition is too long?

[kmead]

In my view yes, but I have had to do so on my X to get it going in the past.

It is about the amount of heat and the ability to get rid of it. I have never had to replace a starter on amy of my cars over the years (lucky I presume).

[maytag]

If I heard one of my kids in the driveway cranking on a motor for more than 5 seconds at a time, I'd be out there to find out why.
Really, there's no reason to keep cranking on a motor that is not starting. all it's going to do is more NOT-starting.