The Broken Fiat Club

My Cabrio set in my Garage for a couple of months or so until this past while I was working on other things. My friend who is a Certified ASE Govt. Mechanic (& previously spent 20yrs on the Drag Racing circuit and Goodyear Tire) came over to help me install my Rotors which I posted in photos in the appropriate thread.

After we were done, we went to take it for a test drive. I unplugged it from the Battery Tender and he started it. It turned over with plenty of power but wouldn't ignite. He kept it up and finally after a 4-5 4sec tries, it started up with the initial plume of smoke momentarily coming from the exhaust. which cleared almost immediately and it leveled out perfect.

No Check Engine Light, no issues, sounded normal. We drove it to a restaurant & ate. When I was done with my Philly Cheesesteak and Sweet Potato Fries, about 45 minutes to an hour later. It started perfectly fine as expected.

On the way home, he nonchalantly mentioned that the stubborn previous start-up was suspicious and suggested it wasn't priming correctly although he is very unfamiliar with our cars and only ever seen mine up close.

Fuel Pump?

It also did this same thing back in April after sitting for 3-4 months or so before I went to get my State Inspection completed.

Any theories or ideas would be most appreciated.

Multi-air priming. Happens when the vehicle sits for several weeks. I’ve dealt with it numerous times.

NGEN wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2019 8:11 am Multi-air priming. Happens when the vehicle sits for several weeks. I’ve dealt with it numerous times.

Thanks Bryan - Should I be relentless trying to avoid this condition? I use STABIL 360 at all times and keep it connected to a CTEK Battery Tender at all times it is parked at home under a Carport with a Full Custom Cover over it.

BTW - My S4 Taillights I got from you worked perfectly, Thanks so much

The only real way to avoid this issue is to start the car more frequently.

There is a priming procedure you can do as well if it has sat for a long time... if you want to do it I'm sure someone could look it up, I don't have access to the service manual at the moment.

MadFiat wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2019 10:22 pm The only real way to avoid this issue is to start the car more frequently.

There is a priming procedure you can do as well if it has sat for a long time... if you want to do it I'm sure someone could look it up, I don't have access to the service manual at the moment.

Sounds interesting. I'll try to research that process

It had to do with oil not fuel. Remove the oil cap and oil cap housing. You will see a nipple inside the valve cover. If you purchase one of those ole times oil cans (think tin man from the wizard of oz) from harbor freight for about $5. It fits onto the nipple easily and pump oil directly through it. This should remove any air that might be in the system which would prevent it from starting.

Something like this will do it: https://www.amazon.com/HEXIN-Oiler-Stra ... ljaz10cnVl