Hi all, just signed up so new to this site. I have two Fiats in the stable, A W reg seicento sporting, and a Ducato 2.8jtd motorhome. The seicento sporting has been sitting idle for over 2 years and now retuses to start. I can hear the fuel pump run when the ignition is switched on, it will fire if fuel is squirted into fuel intake, but wont run after that, me thinks something is stuck or blocked ?????
Help please. Cheers, Nigel.

Welcome to the club, errmmmmm sat for two years and it wont start?? has it been garaged??? if not I would look at fuel lines and fuel filter first for blockages.

Are you squirting in fresh fuel which starts it - and then the stale fuel in the tank takes over and stalls ?

GeorgeDamper said:

Are you squirting in fresh fuel which starts it - and then the stale fuel in the tank takes over and stalls ?

Click to expand...

Could be it. Modern fuels tend to go off after a prolonged period.

SPI seis have a fuel filter which can be swapped out (has those horrible quick release fixings on the pipe).

You could also connect the tank side of the filter to a pipe and use that and the fuel pump to pretty much drain the tank.

On MPI cars the fuel filter is part of the pump, very rarely needs attention, not a service item.

Yes, squirting fresh fuel. Also to other responder, it was kept in a barn. It was started once for about 5 mins a year or so ago, but it was very low on fuel so it wasn't run for long. Last couple of months it has been ouside.

I'd be inclined (especially if MPI) to put some super fresh fuel in and bounce the back of the car about.

Otherwise, swap out the filter, empty the tank.

Have put fresh fuel in, where is the filter found ? is there a solonoid on the injector manifold area, that could be stuck ? Thanks for replies, will have another go at it in morning. Cheers again.

Which car do you have? See here.

EFI on SPI asd MPI cars is very different.

Both are covered in the Seicento Technical Manual (in the downloads section) which may (or not) be working -- I suspect it isn't, but worth a go!

Hi there, it's the SPi model, year 2000.

OK. Then you've got a fuel filter. Drivers side, just before rear wheel arch. Usually it's red or grey plastic thingy, about the size of a trial soft drink can.

Thanks guys, got it running this morning, second try. Now we have the problem of the clutch is stuck, and the brakes are binding, but hey, what can I expect. Loads more work to get her back on her feet, but at least there is pulse, so thanks again. Regards, Nigel.
P.S will keep you posted.