Technical 72 Spider 124s wont't start

[fouramdesigns]

Bought a good specimen of 124 today, was running when delivered, said it had been sitting up for a few months, he used starting fluid. I attempted to take it for a spin on my lunch break, wouldn't start. I got it to turn over a few times, ran for 2 seconds, then stalled out. The ignition seems to be intermittent, sometimes it turns, others nothing. No click of the solenoid. I put fresh gas in, used starter fluid, again, turned over a few times, ran, then stalled. I did notice when I wiggled the ignition it would turn over, I'm thinking bad ignition switch among other things. Any suggestions?

 

[the stig/130]

check the connections block that fits to the bottom of the ignition switch, and the cables, have a look at the points and condenser in the distributer,and the spark plus, when were they last renewed?

 

[GeorgeT]

After sitting for "months", the carb may be gummed up. At a minimum, I would use a carb cleaner; you may have to remove the jets and soak them in the cleaner and open the float bowl and spray clean the float mechanism as well.

 

[fouramdesigns]

thanks for the replies and suggestions. Not sure when they were last changed. Literally took delivery while on break Towed today to the shop. Wish I were off for a few days I could get this sorted.

Spence

 

[Angelabockus]

I basically have the same question. My 1974 Fiat Spider 124 sat in storage for a year. Got it out and tuned up, everything was perfect, until I hit a low lying something in the road. Long story short … gas tank got a leak I didn’t know until I got back from NY. Basically it sat for a week with no gas in it. Now I have refilled the tank. Sprayed engine starter even 100 proof gasoline in the filter thing under the hood.
I have even rocked it back and forth to get the flow. It almost rolled over a couple times but now won’t start.i primed it for 30 seconds .tried cranking for 15 seconds
I am at a loss .
Any ideas ? Please and thank you

 

[Twink80]

I basically have the same question. My 1974 Fiat Spider 124 sat in storage for a year. Got it out and tuned up, everything was perfect, until I hit a low lying something in the road. Long story short … gas tank got a leak I didn’t know until I got back from NY. Basically it sat for a week with no gas in it. Now I have refilled the tank. Sprayed engine starter even 100 proof gasoline in the filter thing under the hood.
I have even rocked it back and forth to get the flow. It almost rolled over a couple times but now won’t start.i primed it for 30 seconds .tried cranking for 15 seconds
I am at a loss .
Any ideas ? Please and thank you

So…,,can you list the spec of the car?
Engine size, carb or FI, auto or msnusl, mechanical or electric fuel pump, year of manufacure etc
A few photos would be useful

Are you sure the fuel tank wadls the only damage?

An engine needs fuel, air and a spark at the right time, so if the engine is sound and doesnt run one of these is likely missing

The mechanical fuel system will self prime with 3 or 4 very long cranks, rest for 10s or so between cranks to you dont overheat the starter as it will be pulling serious current!

 

[Angelabockus]

P lo

So…,,can you list the spec of the car?
Engine size, carb or FI, auto or msnusl, mechanical or electric fuel pump, year of manufacure etc
A few photos would be useful

Are you sure the fuel tank wadls the only damage?

An engine needs fuel, air and a spark at the right time, so if the engine is sound and doesnt run one of these is likely missing

The mechanical fuel system will self prime with 3 or 4 very long cranks, rest for 10s or so between cranks to you dont overheat the starter as it will be pulling serious current!

its a 1974 Spider 124, manual 5 speed. I believe it’s 1600

 

[Angelabockus]

It also has a carburetor

 

[Angelabockus]

 

[timmycm850]

Be very careful. Pouring random fluids in odd places can be dangerous. But be methodical and don't strain the starter to much

 

[Twink80]

P lo

its a 1974 Spider 124, manual 5 speed. I believe it’s 1600

Ok thanks
If its 1.6 then it will have a carb
To see if the engine will run you can pour a small amount of petrol directly into the carb.
Remove the air filter cover, could be 3 screws with a slot or poss 10mm socket
Lift off the round cover and place to one side.
In the middle you will see a vertical opening going into the carb, do not drop anything in here or you will damage the engine!
Get everything else ready to start the car
Pour about an egg cup full of fuel into the carb opening and then try to start the car
If it is going to run it should fire briefly then die
Replace the top of the aircleaner immediately after this
Let me know how that goes
Good luck

 

[Twink80]

View attachment 463446

Nice car, not seen many in that colour.

 

[Twink80]

Ok thanks
If its 1.6 then it will have a carb
To see if the engine will run you can pour a small amount of petrol directly into the carb.
Remove the air filter cover, could be 3 screws with a slot or poss 10mm socket
Lift off the round cover and place to one side.
In the middle you will see a vertical opening going into the carb, do not drop anything in here or you will damage the engine!
Get everything else ready to start the car
Pour about an egg cup full of fuel into the carb opening and then try to start the car
If it is going to run it should fire briefly then die
Replace the top of the aircleaner immediately after this
Let me know how that goes
Good luck

A few photos of the engine would be useful too.

 

[Angelabockus]

Ok thanks
If its 1.6 then it will have a carb
To see if the engine will run you can pour a small amount of petrol directly into the carb.
Remove the air filter cover, could be 3 screws with a slot or poss 10mm socket
Lift off the round cover and place to one side.
In the middle you will see a vertical opening going into the carb, do not drop anything in here or you will damage the engine!
Get everything else ready to start the car
Pour about an egg cup full of fuel into the carb opening and then try to start the car
If it is going to run it should fire briefly then die
Replace the top of the aircleaner immediately after this
Let me know how that goes
Good luck

Thank you I will try that

 

[Angelabockus]

Nice car, not seen many in that colour.

It’s the original paint. The first owner had it 30 years , I am the third owner. Less than 100,000 miles. When I get home, I will try the gasoline egg cup full and let you know. Thank you so much.!!

 

[Twink80]

It’s the original paint. The first owner had it 30 years , I am the third owner. Less than 100,000 miles. When I get home, I will try the gasoline egg cup full and let you know. Thank you so much.!!

Does the dog get to drive often??
I’m in Wales (part of the UK) so will take a look at your results tomorrow

I have also assumed the only thing that had changed is the fuel tank emptying out due to a leak
Try to look for any other damage under the car. If the tank was holed by a stone filcking up thats just unlucky. If it was anything bigger it might have damaged sonething else
General rule if problem solving is only change one thing at a time and then assess.
Take photos and make notes as you go. Try to observe things that look out of the ordinary eg dirt wiped off, damp oily patches on compnents
If you havent got a workshop manual then get one, it will pay for itself!

 

[Angelabockus]

Does the dog get to drive often??
I’m in Wales (part of the UK) so will take a look at your results tomorrow

I have also assumed the only thing that had changed is the fuel tank emptying out due to a leak
Try to look for any other damage under the car. If the tank was holed by a stone filcking up thats just unlucky. If it was anything bigger it might have damaged sonething else
General rule if problem solving is only change one thing at a time and then assess.
Take photos and make notes as you go. Try to observe things that look out of the ordinary eg dirt wiped off, damp oily patches on compnents
If you havent got a workshop manual then get one, it will pay for itself!

Jackson, the dog, has yet to pass the road test, lol. So, he continues to enjoy the rides. I tried your every suggestion to no success. It baffles me.
Less than a month ago, it was running perfectly … until the gas tank incident.
It seems like such an easy fix that has me lost. I do have the owners repair manual.
Will read through that later today. Attaching a picture.
Thank you so much for your time !

 

[Twink80]

Jackson, the dog, has yet to pass the road test, lol. So, he continues to enjoy the rides. I tried your every suggestion to no success. It baffles me.
Less than a month ago, it was running perfectly … until the gas tank incident.
It seems like such an easy fix that has me lost. I do have the owners repair manual.
Will read through that later today. Attaching a picture.
Thank you so much for your time !

So if you pour fuel directly into the carb and it doesn’t fire then next thing to check is for a spark. You will need someone to turn the key to crank while you check under the hood for a spark
If you have a spare spark plug that you know is good use that to save pulling a plug out the engine
Pull the plug lead off #1 cyl (the closest to the radiator). Put the spare plug into the lead and earth it against the cylinder head
Crank the engine over and you should get a spark. If no spark your fault lies in the ignition/electrical system (at this point you need a multimeter or auto electrician)
Can you expand a bit more on the damage?
Have you checked under the car?
Re trace the steps from the car working to it not working. It sometimes helps to write this down. You can also use is/is not statements to help solve the probelm eg
The engine is turning over fast enough
The engine is not firing
The engine is getting fuel (direct through the carb)
The engine is not firing

Let me know how it goes please

 

[Angelabockus]

So if you pour fuel directly into the carb and it doesn’t fire then next thing to check is for a spark. You will need someone to turn the key to crank while you check under the hood for a spark
If you have a spare spark plug that you know is good use that to save pulling a plug out the engine
Pull the plug lead off #1 cyl (the closest to the radiator). Put the spare plug into the lead and earth it against the cylinder head
Crank the engine over and you should get a spark. If no spark your fault lies in the ignition/electrical system (at this point you need a multimeter or auto electrician)
Can you expand a bit more on the damage?
Have you checked under the car?
Re trace the steps from the car working to it not working. It sometimes helps to write this down. You can also use is/is not statements to help solve the probelm eg
The engine is turning over fast enough
The engine is not firing
The engine is getting fuel (direct through the carb)
The engine is not firing

Let me know how it goes please

I will most definitely let you know. I truly appreciate your advice !!

 

[Twink80]

I will most definitely let you know. I truly appreciate your advice !!

Its only any good if you get your car started!