Club126UK

Fiat 126 Chat => Fiat 126 Mechanical Problem Solving => Topic started by: Bolek on March 14, 2016, 02:33:31 AM

Title: No Start After 10 months in Storage….. and here is why!
Post by: Bolek on March 14, 2016, 02:33:31 AM

I have an 86polski fiat :)

sitting for 10months in unheated garage…    Battery kept indoors and on trickle charger

Cranking car over, battery seemed decent but she just wouldn't catch.  battery got low from cranking, charged it up and used "Boost" mode on the charger but still no deal.

Pulled one of plugs - bone dry  hmmmm  not getting fuel

I know the fuel pump is mechanically driven, so decided maybe push starting it would give it the extra 'spin' to pump the fuel.

We tried without success….. then looking at the old fuel lines (which are like a dark brown with age) and I see fuel before fuel pump (but not after going to carb!!)

popped fuel line out of bracket to left of pump and 'lifted' it up so gas would run to pump more.  Got my buddy to do this while cranking and

BOOM - she started right up and ran fine!!! :D

sorry for long post but thought this trick might help someone.  is this common?    Do you guys 'prime' your carbs after long storage , bump start,  crank it forever   or what are your tricks?

Title: Re: No Start After 10 months in Storage….. and here is why!
Post by: 124cso on March 27, 2016, 02:41:30 AM

I can have the same problem after the car sitting outside in summer for less than a week. Fuel just evaporates out of the carb with the heat and because the pump moves such a small amount of fuel, you have to crank forever to fill the fuel bowl.
I decided I need to drive it more often or fit an electric pump in parallel pipework just for priming.

Title: Re: No Start After 10 months in Storage….. and here is why!
Post by: Bolek on March 27, 2016, 03:43:02 AM

good call - but why not just fit an electric pump only?    I have heard the conversion is popular (at least for fiat 500s)… should be easy for the 126 too