Vaporlock??? in 1980 SC Targa

[jhawk1000]

I am at wit's end. I have a 1980 Porsche 911 SC Targa with 115,000 miles on it. It has had a fair amount of work on it lately because of being in storage for several years. I had the fuel distributor replaced, then the fuel pump, all the air leaks found so the idle is good with no loping and the pick up is really good. I have had injectors replaced, new clutch, and had a client of mine do a ground up exterior restoration of every imaginable door ding and gave it a beautiful multicoat paint job of Guards Red and black targa bar. Absolutely no waves, no nicks, just like it came from the factory. Interior is being renovated step by step now but----- the car has started exhibiting all the symptoms of the old "vapor lock". When the heat gauge goes over the first bar (way down into the safe range) the car will just start losing power, eventually die and smell that awful smell of exhaust gas, especially when you try to restart it. I took it in for repair and it spent a week having the catalytic converter checked, the hose to the heater to blow heat into the exchangers and to check the catalytic converter, we used a bypass to see if it was a clogged converter. It runs better than ever when it runs. Tonight, the first time out for any length, with an ambient air temperature of about 85 degrees, I drove about 5 miles to a tire store to find some Goodyear F1s and they were out, took a bypass around town at about 70mph for about 15 miles and as we were getting close to the tires on my wish list, the power went on and off, the car finally just would not run and I coasted to a parking spot, went to have something to eat, walked around for about an hour, got in the car and it started up again. When trying to restart while it was hot, it would spin freely and the smell of exhaust gases was prevalent, certainly not the smell of gasoline. It was not getting any gas at all. Tried taking the gas cap off but no go. It has to cool down then it started and drove nicely home, about 8 miles. Can anyone shed some light? I am tired of paying $500.00 every time I walk into the shop and still having it stall on me. As an aside, when the clutch was installed a couple of months ago by another mechanic, he also assured me that it was not vapor locking.

Mel

[sagacis]

I'm new to Porsche ownership, and probably can't help much. Thankfully, my 81sc is running great (except on cold idle). Here's what I have to give:

Have you checked the WUR and fuel accumulator? I understand that can cause problems, particularly with hot start.

BTW, I love your handle. I grew up in Larry-town and went to school at KU.

--sagacis

[stlrj]

A bad fuel pump check valve will leave you stranded with a warm or hot start problem as you mention.

To confirm this is your problem, see if you feel any resistance when you push up on your sensor plate after 10 min. with the engine warm. If you cannot feel any resistance, you do not have residual pressure needed to prevent vapor lock.

Cheers,

Joe

[jhawk1000]

Thanks a lot guys. I told the first mechanic, the clutch guy, to check it out but I seriously doubt he did. I sincerely hope it is either the fuel accumulator or fuel pump check valve since I am running out of money.

Mel

PS Car going back tomorrow with this information.

[jhawk1000]

Sagacis

I live and work in Wichita. I attended KU and graduated from Law School there. I go to the football games (not a great thrill now) and generally make it up for about 7 or 8 basketball games per year. Larry was my hero and I think Bill Self will get us that National Title soon. At least I hope so.
Nice seeing a transplanted KUer out there. KU or as we like to call it, "Harvard on the Kaw" is still doing well and one of my daughters has just finished her 4th year there and has one more to go.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Mel

[Grady Clay]

Mel,

Classic symptoms of muck in the fuel tank.

Siphon the fuel out, remove the fuel level sender, drain plug, and the bottom screen; inspect and clean. Tell everyone what you find.

Best,
Grady