Running on 5 cylinders

[jly535]

We'll I just took out my brother's 77' 930 and it has no power! I aquired this car as my brother has passed away. It's been sitting all winter and I would start it every once in awhile to get things oiled and it seemed to run smooth, but idle high 2000rpm.

Feels like it's running on 5 cylinders as it has no power at all. Now I'm worried that I could have screwed it up more driving about 4 miles. My first step is too pull all the plugs and go from there.

Is it normal too have transmission whine (especially in 2nd)?

I guess I'm just very paranoid right now worrying that I'll screw things up. Should I wait until it stone cold before pulling the plugs?

I'm a BMW guy and I'm trying to learn the in's and out's of this thing.

[mark houghton]

That's a tough one, as your term "no power" can mean different things to different people. Had you driven or taken a ride in this car prior to it being placed in your hands? And if so, does it now feel different? I ask this only to gauge how familiar you are with the characterstics of a 930. They DO seem to have poor power at lower off-boost rpms....actually quite doggy due to the low compression ratio required for them to survive when on boost. But get the boost up and it's a whole different story. The smile on your face will wipe any memories of the poor low end power.

Do you feel an ignition miss or uneven running, or just overall poor power? There aren't any mice living in the air box, are there? (stranger things have happened).

The high rpm when cold is normal, provided it eventually comes back down within a few minutes of running. 2000 is a bit high but not unheard of.

Are there any modifications that have been made to the car, that you're aware of?

[Miguel Antonett]

If you don't know about 930s, I'll advise you to get a fellow pelicanhead to look at your car first and check it out for you. I'm sure there is someone near where you are. As Mark said, 930s are deceving when not driven properly.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by jly535

We'll I just took out my brother's 77' 930 and it has no power! I aquired this car as my brother has passed away. It's been sitting all winter and I would start it every once in awhile to get things oiled and it seemed to run smooth, but idle high 2000rpm.

Feels like it's running on 5 cylinders as it has no power at all. Now I'm worried that I could have screwed it up more driving about 4 miles. My first step is too pull all the plugs and go from there.

Is it normal too have transmission whine (especially in 2nd)?

I guess I'm just very paranoid right now worrying that I'll screw things up. Should I wait until it stone cold before pulling the plugs?

I'm a BMW guy and I'm trying to learn the in's and out's of this thing.

Firstly, sorry for your loss. Lousy way to acquire a great car.

I've never driven a 3.0 930, but they're lower compression (6.5:1) and smaller displacement, with the same truck turbo as the 3.3.

It has to be even worse off-boost than the 3.3. And must feel peakier than heck in-boost.

Gearboxes can certainly provide the auditory sensation that large amounts of metal are turning around in there, even if they're in good shape. The harder the tranny mounts are, the more pronounced this seems to be.

I'd say check the obvious things (like all the exhaust headers get hot, oil clean, level good, no split or popped hoses etc), drive it for 10-12 miles until the oil is good and hot, make sure the brakes are good, don't stick/pull, tires inflated etc. Normal stuff for a car sitting all winter.

It should run much better when it's up to temperature. Which takes a good 10 minutes driving around here. 4 miles for me this morning (Eastside) was half-warm, barely off the cold enrichment.

(Each oil change leaves 1-2 quarts in the system, but typically you drop/replace 10 quarts. That's a lot of oil.)

Then find a suitable place, make sure ALL the round things are pointing dead straight ahead and nail it. You knew the '77 has chocolate brakes, right?

Trust me, you'll know if it's boosting...

[jly535]

Thanks guys! I pulled all the spark plugs and #5 was fouled so I wired brushed them and it's good to go! And once warm the idle seems to hunt between 1100-2000 now, but it's running smooth!


Spuggy, I have read about the brakes and they are very weak My brother had bought upgrades (85 turbo?) but apperently the rears need some machining to fit. So I guess i'll get to that eventually.