My 3.0L *never* starts well - Colorado area expert?

Mountain914 · 10-18-2003, 03:26 PM

OK - at wits end. My beautiful Frank Beck built 3.0L will take 10 minutes or more of cranking before it ever starts. It did not have this problem at lower altitudes.
My situation: 9300 feet (OK - I can barely get started myself at this low of oxygen level). The car has been adjusted and passed emissions.
The car, once started, will run and start fine. Everything is still pretty new and tight. But... getting it started after sitting for weeks or months is driving me mad!
It has C.I.S. (K-Jet) and seems to run fine between elevation changes (meaning: as I drive around between 10000 and 5000 feet elevation).
I probably couldn't do anything too technical (all I have are hand tools) and I'm not real familiar with this engine. So be kind or suggest experts in the Denver/Boulder area if possible.
I emplore help now because I literally melted though a battery connector trying to crank this puppy up! Argh !! (Read: wear and tear on starter).

Mountain914 · 03:40 PM

FYI - it's an 82 911SC 3.0 and I'm thinking the F.I. is around 81 or 82 but can't be sure.
Normal compression and cams - so nothing too radical here.

Hetmann · 10-18-2003, 07:09 PM

Any air leaks in/around the airbox? Does the WUR check out?

Don Dosmann · 10-18-2003, 07:31 PM

Next time spray some starting fluid in the air cleaner, if the engine starts up, you have a fuel delivery problem. Either your cold start
injector is not working or the check valve in the fuel pump is stuck open and not maintaining the fuel line pressure after the engine is shut down.
My guess is it's the cold start injector.
Don

mtburman · mtburman's Garage

I purchased my 89 coupe in Denver. Mech who did PPI was recommended by mech in Phx area, Stortz Garage, very competent, willing to take time with you.

sammyg2 · 10-19-2003, 09:26 AM

Anotehr trick you can do in the mean time until you get the cold start problem figured out:

Pull the air filter and lift up on the air flow sensor plate with the ignition on. yopu will hear the injectors fire and that will prime the engine so it will fire up.

Understanding that this is a band aid approach, at least it will help keep your starter and flywheel alive until you get the cold start problem fixed.