How To Avoid Strandings?

[jyl]

After my recent "stranded in parking lot" experience I've been noticing the "help my Carrera won't start" threads. There are more of them than I'd thought. This is making me nervous.

My impression is that the problems usually seem related to:
- DME/fuel pump relay
- TDC/reference and speed sensor
- fuel pump
- starter

Other causes (vacumn hose, AFM, DME box, etc) get mentioned but the four above seem to explain the bulk of the problems.

What preventative things should we be doing to >150K mile Carreras to reduce future strandings?

- DME relays cost $40, so carry a spare one. No-brainer.
- TDC and speed sensors cost about $250 for the pair, if I'm reading PP's site right. Should we replace the sensors as a precaution? Do these things have a typical lifespan?
- Fuel pumps cost about $200. Can fuel pumps be checked to see how close they are to failing? Do they make a particular "I'm dying" sound? Do current tests really tell you if the pump is going to die? Is removing the pump, cleaning the screen, and replacing the pump a worthwhile precaution?
- Starters cost about $200. Same questions - basically, is there any way to tell that they are dying, or any typical lifespan after which a starter should be replaced?

[Zeke]

I can only say that starters will give you warning. The rest I think can have sudden failure.

But, to avoid unnecessary problems, I would suggest a thorough check of the wiring connections, especially the ground connections. I've never owned a Carrera, but like you, I've read of the occasional and complete shut downs. Faulty wiring, i.e., continuity, can cause premature failure, IMHO.

It's even been said that detailers are some of your worst offenders as they get unwanted moisture under the passenger seat.

[ubiquity0]

Buy an SC?

[island911]

Funny; apparently, by yesterdays BART post, you carry Pelican BBS in your 911.

Tricky and smart.

Well, to your question; I suppose you could build-in redundant systems (like an airplane)

or; I suppose you could build-in redundant systems (like an airplane)

or (as above) Buy an SC.

[jthwan22]

super duper AAA membership 100 miles 4 times a year. It save me 2 week ago when the Jeep dies.

[TerryH]

I bought the Porsche and AAA membership at the same time. Coincidence? I think not.

[no substitute]

AAA all the way. AAA all the way...

[ZOA NOM]

DIY, DIY, DIY.

That way, you're much less likely to be stranded by something you aren't familiar with. Nothing worse than spending a fortune on towing and troubleshooting to find you needed a DME relay.

[stormcrow]

When I travel long distances (over 1000 miles away from home) in the P-car (78 SC Targa) I used to carry the following:

Spare fuel pump, spare fuel filter, spare fuel pump relay, spare relays, 3/8 metric socket set (S & K), 1/4 metric socket set (S & K), box/open end wrenchs 6 mm to 21 mm (2 ea), 4", 6", 8" and 12" crescent wrench (1 ea), channel locks, pliers, needle nose pliers, vice grips (2 ea), spare fuel line hose, spare fuel distributor hose, miscellaneous wire with connectors, some spare nuts/bolts, hand cleaner, leather palm gloves, brown jersey gloves (1 pair ea), metric allen wrench set (fold type and straight type), small tool pouch with screw drivers, knife and misc tools in it, gasket sealer, multi-meter (fluke), spare spark plugs (2 ea), nut driver set 1/4 to 1/2 in, spare hose clamps, 1/8 steel braided wire (4'), wire clamps (4 ea), the tool kit that came with the P-car (spark plug wrench, alternator belt, tow hook, spanner wrench and misc box wrenches), jumper cables and last but not least, two manuals with wiring diagrams and anything else that one needs to know about the P-car.

I did this for about two years carrying all this stuff around and you know what, I never really had to use any of it with the exception of the multi-meter to trouble shoot my starter. The manuals also came in handy at that time.

Now, I only carry a small bag of tools and the tool kit with crescent wrenches screw drivers and pliers which pretty much will alow me to take just about anything apart short of dropping the engine or removing the tranny.

I also carry the spare tire, and air pump along with a cross bar lug remover.



Steve

"A Porsche does more then just go fast in a straight line"

[jyl]

Wow, Steve, that was quite a toolkit. I'm going to use that as a starter to make up my own, although I'm going to carry about 1/2 the stuff.

[no substitute]

The reliability of an 8, now 25 year old car over those years continues to amaze me. Fuel pump and battery every few years, starter twice in that time. Keep a rebuilt starter on hand and switch it out every so often if you wish. Rebuild the old one. Make sure your CV joint bolts are tight.
Ball joints, bearings, and similar components should be inspected every so often for safety sake. AAA is a bargain if you ask me, even if you never use it.

[RoninLB]

knowing the life expectancy of parts and turning the present into a back-up is a good attitude.

Also many complicated systems can be jumped. ie: you can by-pass your ignition switch start by using wire from battery to solenoid. Fuel pump, ignition, etc.