Long crank on startup, why?

[Thunderbone]

If the '87 911 sits in garage for a couple of weeks and I go to start it, it fires right up. After that, though, I have to crank the starter for several seconds before I get ignition. I smell gas. I get white smoke.

If I drive for successive days, it does the hard start all the time.

I've been told that my cams (Webcam) 20/21 cause a loss of vacuum and that is why it happens. I don't understand why it starts better if it sits for several days. Other than this, the car runs fine..it is just annoying...and I do get puzzled looks. In addition to the cams, I've flowed the intakes, has SSI's, is now a 3.4 liter, heads have been refurbished. I'm worried I'm wearing out the starter.

[Wayne 962]

Does it still have its O2 sensor?

-Wayne

[Jeff Alton]

Check the fuel pump "check valve" This is a classic system of one that is clogged and needs replacement. Cheap and easy to fix.

Jeff

[Thunderbone]

Wayne: the 02 sensor was replaced.

Jeff: Do I examine the fuel pump check valve, or just replace it..and, uh, where is it?

[Wil Ferch]

I think the fuel pump check valve trick is for CIS cars...not DME....no?

For DME cars, would it make more sense to check the fuel pressure damper and the regultor...one on each side of the engine?


Wil

EDIT: clarification....meant to say one of these components is on one side of the engine and the other is on the other side....there are only one of each

[stlrj]

"I smell gas. I get white smoke."

Might be a rich mixture problem. In the good old days we used to call it flooding.

Leave your oil cap off and see if that helps.

Joe