new to fiat spiders

[fiat218]

washing the inside of a engine is kinda @$%@&

[maytag]

eOnz: I'd really like to be more helpful to ya... particularly since I made ya feel embarassed earlier, and I didn;t mean to.

My old man used to always say "If it's got spark and it's got fuel then it's gotta run". Now, obviously there are some variables to how WELL it might run..... but the part of this that is true is that this is where you should start. Make sure you've got fuel getting to the motor. Then make sure you're getting spark to the motor.

Report back, and we'll help ya make sure they're arriving at the right time.

[e0nz]

maytag, it's ok lol... honestly it was a really dumb and impulsive thing to do on my part. I should've asked somebody with experience. I'm an impulsive person and sometimes think I know everything. So I'm glad you helped to put me on the right path. Ok, enough of that, I couldn't believe how easy it was to solve the problem today. My engine was not getting the fuel because one of the fuel lines wasn't connected (the vapor one). Now my engine is running in tip top shape again. If you guys don't mind me asking, how should I "break in" the engine? The odometer is 71,056 and EVERYTHING in the car is original.

[maytag]

Now my engine is running in tip top shape again. If you guys don't mind me asking, how should I "break in" the engine? The odometer is 71,056 and EVERYTHING in the car is original.

I reviewed the thread just to be sure.... but confirm for us: this is NOT a new engine, right? It has 71k miles on it, right? No "break-in" necessary. It's already welll and broken-in. we call that a "seasoned" motor.

At this point, preventative maintenance and regular care are your best friends for getting the life from that motor. This means regular oil changes, filter (air & oil) changes, annual tune-ups, etc etc etc.

Right now, when it is running well, is a good time to be learning all about this motor. It sucks to be learning it on the side of the road 'cuz it broke-down in traffic due to neglect. Trust me... did that as a kid.....

[chrisfiat]

your engine is already broken in. Breaking in an engine is a procedure performed on a new or rebuilt engine. just change the oil and check/replace the plugs wires cap and rotor belts air filter fuel filter etc. just don't go and do anything like pouring water in the crankcase again or you will break it.

[e0nz]

I thank the both of you for your help. I got the car starter up yesterday and it blew a lot of white smoke, my friend who's a mechanic told me it was the oil because i had put too much oil before the water incident, lol... But yeah, my car is working completely fine now and drives really well. I asked that question about "breaking in" the engine because my mechanic told me to go easy on the engine since it's been a while since it was last used and that led me to google searching. I think he's right and I need to go easy on the engine and get "used" to it. Thanks again for the help guys, any input from you guys would be appreciated as well.

[jimincalif]

probably white smoke from having water in it, just like when a head gasket blows.

You did change the oil a couple times since the "water incident" I hope? Water is not an adequate lubricant for the things that need lubricating in there. Even if it is running fine, water in the oil will cause wear on bearing surfaces, cams, etc. and the engine could be toast in no time.

[e0nz]

jimin, i totally forgot!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for reminding me. One of the gaskets already seems a bit rusty. Tomorrow I will defintely drain the oil and put some more in.

[maytag]

Im curious if you could get the water in the oil to evaporate simply by getting the oil up to temp? letting the car idle for awhile?

I don;t know... just askin'.

[seabeelt]

Interesting theory since higher temps tend to evap water after a wash. Probably won't boil off since we typically run at 190 degrees. I would change the oil a couple of times and look for the white foam in the drain pan and in fill port

[e0nz]

I already changed the oil and it spilled nicely, the oil was perfect. Now there's another problem; I was checking my radiator oil reservoir and it was EXTREMELY dirty. Anybody have any ideas how I can clean out my radiator? Would it be worth it to go to a shop and get it flushed?

[131]

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.

If it's got a mechanical fuel pump it can be necessary to crank it for a while to get the fuel up to the carb. Especially if the tank has been run dry.

[e0nz]

131, my car is an automatic fuel injected, is it possible that it could have a mechanical pump?

[whiterabbit]

I believe you need to find a good mechanic if you are not mechanially inclined you will do more damage than good. Yea, we all gott'a start learning at some time but I have seen alot of vehicles turn into unreliable,always broke down,leaking headachs and dissapointments. Prime example are older Harleys. 99 percent of the time, problems are owner induced because of lack of skills and or knowledge. The wise are wise enough to know their limitations through self assement.

[azruss]

dont feel bad. My first fiat was an 850 spider. needed a valve job and decided to take it on myself. being a complete novice, i tried reusing the headgasket. did manage to get across town before it died with "milkshake" pouring out of the carb. And here i am now, 40 years later a shadetree Fiat guru....hooda guessed.