Tip # 6 in ameridan's blog in 21stcenturyfiat124spider.wordpress indicates that the crank no start issue can be resolved by priming the oil pump via the suction port. Unfortunately I have had to "test" this solution twice, successfully. The battery/cage needs to be removed and a 10mm allen Is used to pop out the (lower) plug on the oil pump. Oil is then squirted into the suction port and buttoned back up. In my case it then starts after 1-2 cranks, not the endless cranking that the other solutions normally require. The pics attached show an easier solution in that a hose is ported from the oil pump suction to a fill port in the engine bay. This solution may prevent the problem entirely as what I've noticed is that the hose will fill with oil so hopefully it eliminates the oil pump from losing it's prime. Note: the list shown does not have the bracket (someone made it for me), 1/2" NPT brass plug, washer (it's ~1" ID) and hose clamps. Also, you don't have to use a valve, you can just use a 3/8" barb x 1/2" MNPT. View attachment 102877
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Nice!!!!

 

Clever design!

 

Nifty for you guys that have to do storage!

 

I’m surprised that they didn’t engineer an auxiliary electric oil pump to re prime the brick when the engine senses low volume/pressure.

 

This has been very helpful as I am nervous putting new oil in the top of the engine. I’ve got the battery and tray out, but am having a very difficult time getting the plug loose. Any help would be appreciated. Just worried about not messing the car up. Thanks

 

Hey Jaydon. What I did was use a closed wrench over a 10mm key (happened to have a socket on it but not necessary).

 

Good tip!

To clarify, you don't need to fill the line? Just remove the bung/open the valve at the top, crank the engine, the line fills up, replace the bung/close the valve then go for a start?

 

Yes, that's what I did, let it fill up by cranking, slightly too much. It helps to have a buddy to make sure it doesn't overfill. Once you see oil close the valve and it should start.

 

Got it! 12” breaker got the job done. Now I just squirt some 5w40 full synthetic it until it seeps out? Hopefully this will do the trick🤞

 

Yep. Then put the plug back in the port. Unfortunately this means hooking the battery back up (btw, if your battery doesn't have a handle to take it in and out consider making one, even with just a strap in case you need to do it again, you'll get tired of taking out that battery real quick) to crank the engine and fingers crossed, it starts. It took mine two cranks this way.

 

Any idea how much oil to add? Should I try getting the whole canister in? It’s a 4oz pump.

would just hate to not put enough in and have to do the whole process again. Thanks again for all your help.

 

It doesn't take much just a few ounces. I used a tube (probably 1/4" clear tube) that I stuck in as deep as I could and then with a small funnel taped to the other end i poured a bit of oil. Once you see the oil coming out of the port you can pinch the tube and place it in a can or just on top of rags just to from making a mess. You'll be surprised if not disappointed at how little oil it takes. It also works with a small squirt bottle, I had one of them plastic lab ones. A lot easier to deal with. The can you have will probably work too.

 

Putting everything back together.

Do you depress the accelerator while turning the engine over, or just normal? I’ll give the badge a big kiss before.

 

LOL! Yes, it doesn't work if you don't kiss the badge first! You can crank it once (or initially) with the accelerator down first. But honestly, even if you don't that thing better start after a couple cranks (you'll actually feel/hear it catch) or the whole procedure just didn't work. Either it works and you're not worried about flooding it or it didn't work.

 

Guess I’m unlucky. I’m going to have to send it to Fiat. Still not getting compression from the engine. It’s making the same sound trying to turn over that’s in all the videos about this problem. I even put in a new battery.

I wonder if a rolling stat will do anything? Ugh.

Thanks for all your help along the way.

 

I'm glad you tried it. I have heard of someone popping the clutch but i wasn't brave enough to try it. One thing I should have mentioned, look for the oil pressure light to go off when you're trying to start it. If the oil pressure light goes off (I think it goes green, disappears? Definitely not red) and the car is still not starting, it's a different problem.

 

It’s a Christmas miracle!!!! It finally started to turn over after 5 more attempts. If you’re ever in Chicago I owe you some 🍺

 

LOL! How long was it down? Mine was pretty bad and took just a couple starts. Glad it all worked out in the end.

 

Great effort FiatJunkie!! I've added this thread into my article Re-establishing Oil Flow in Multi-Air “brick” after Long-Term Storage as I'm sure it will be helpful to others.

 

Thank you ameridan! It was your blog that led me to the "solution" in the first place. The next improvement is to prevent it altogether.