This car is kicking my ass!!!

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Okay, just so you guys don't feel like you're the only ones who have problems with cars. My 1972 911 runs like a bat out of hell, when it's running 100% correct - which is what it has never done since the day I bought it. It's literally broken down on me about 25 times. I've had problems with:

- clogged fuel filter
- bad distributor
- bad spark plug wires
- faulty points (replaced with Ignitor)
- bad wiring harness (caused the CD box to cut out)
- old charging system (doesn't charge the battery up full)
- caught on fire the 1st day after I bought it.

And this is just off of the top of my head. Now, I'm trying to get these carbs dialed in, but they just wouldn't respond correctly. John at Otto's thought that there might be a serious problem with the engine because the carbs wouldn't respond correctly. However, a compression check revealed that all appears okay.

I took both carbs off, and completely cleaned them out. I had previously had a problem with a completely clogged fuel filter, so I guessed that maybe some crap had ended up in the carbs. I guessed correctly- there were some bits clogging the idle jets and also the transition circuits. So, I put it all back together, and it's still popping and spitting out of cylinder number six. So, I order new, larger idle jets and install them.

So, I take it out tonite, and it's running like crap. I adjust the carbs, and get it to where it's running better (no spitting or backfiring, which is what it was doing before), and then I drive home, and it's like it's running on 3-4 cylinders. I get down to my alley, and the darn thing dies. Just won't start or run, and won't really fire up. Fuel pump is making extra loud noises.

In addition to my carb jetting problems, I think that my previously clogged fuel filter is symptomatic of a deteriorating gas tank. I didn't build this car or put it together, so I don't know what parts were used. The person who put the car together told me that the gas tank was removed and completely redone. I'm not sure they did a good job. I think that the fuel filter is clogged again - last time I had this problem, I installed a clear filter in the engine compartment so that I could monitor the situation. Well, there's nothing coming through the filter. Either the filter is clogged, or my gas tank level is stuck at 1/2 full and it's actually empty.

RATS!!! Try to fix one problem, and another rears it's ugly head.

The next step is to remove the gas tank sender and simply check to see if there is fuel in there. Then I will remove the fuel line from the carb and see if any fuel is getting to the carbs. If not, then I have a problem with a clogged filter, bad fuel pump, or deteriorating gas tank and/or lines (not likely the lines). I'll remove the filter underneath the engine compartment, right before the pump (not the clear one). If it's clogged, then I will replace it and the fuel hose, and then use an electric pump to empty all of the fuel out of the tank and into my truck. Then, I'll pull the tank and take a close look at the screen at the bottom. If the tank is trashed, then I will replace it with the new reproduction one that we sell.

GRRR VERY FRUSTRATING.

Just wanted to let everyone know that even the guy who wrote the book on these things has bad days...

-Wayne

k9handler · 07-12-2006, 10:36 PM

I feel your pain. My wife always asks me when I finish a repair..."so what is going to break next"?

livi · 07-12-2006, 10:36 PM

Thats good to know, Wayne. The (many) children of a pediatrician get sick too. Unfortunately they typically receive less treatment than other kids. I suppose thats not the case with your cars.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by livi
Thats good to know, Wayne. The (many) children of a pediatrician get sick too. Unfortunately they typically receive less treatment than other kids. I suppose thats not the case with your cars.

Actually, that's probably true. I don't have a lot of time to mess with the cars...

-Wayne

rlh930 · 07-12-2006, 11:04 PM

Take some of those ill-gotten gains - er - well deserved riches and put a TWM-Motec EFI system on it. Replace the gas tank and every inch of fuel line in the process. AAA will probably chip in from what they save in towing claims.

H.G.P. · 11:30 PM

The fuel system on my 69E, was one of the first things I addressed around five years ago. I replaced all the soft lines, bought new pump (and a back-up), and remounted it so I wouldn't have to bend down or get under the car to check/replace the filters. I hate working around gas.

I have two fuel filters. one clear before the pump, and another before the pressure gauge and Holley pressure regulator.
I coated the bottom of the tank with Por-15. I hate gasoline, said that before ,( but don't mind oil or gear oil/lube.)

The thing is, many things went (or were probably due to be replaced/upgraded) as realistically expected on a 37 year car. (clutch, flywheel, spark plug wires, linkage-bell crank, light bulbs, NLA stuff, CVs, new tires, etc., rebuild engine...)

But after the engine rebuild now I have only had to change the oil, spark plugs, and replace one seal in over a year. Additionally, it's my main daily driver, although only 5-7 miles round trip. the car is now more my friend and is rewarding me.."Sorted out"...So Here's to yours being sorted out Wayne.

jim72911t · 07-12-2006, 11:39 PM

Wayne,
Your post read like you were describing my car! I've experienced every problem you listed (even the fire, but mine happened about a week into ownership

)

Sounds like you have crap in the fuel lines, tank, etc. I'm dealing with the same issues, and it's pretty frustrating, to say the least. One day, the car will run like a bat out of heck, the next day, it'll barely get to 4000RPM.

Long story short: I've been getting a lot of stuff done around the house. The yard looks great, and the garage addition will commence week after next. And the trip to Maui was great.

My '72T will get the attention it deserves, but maybe not right this minute.

Good Luck,
Jim

Jim Smolka · 07-12-2006, 11:46 PM

Wayne,

I second the thought of checking the tank and replacing the hoses. Another item to consider is the fuel filler neck. Often these start to rust and dump FeO2 into the tank

Zendalar · 07-13-2006, 12:18 AM

Good idea to put another filter just before the carbs.

When I had Webers, I just could not get #6 to stop spitting and backfiring, turned out #6 got too lean because the shafts let in air...

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

UPDATE: I pulled the fuel tank sender unit out of the car, and it came up dry! Stuck / defective unit, and I ran out of gas! Semi-embarrassing. Carefully took a flourescent lamp and looked into the bottom of the tank. Not too pretty in there with a bunch of rust. But, I'm not going to tackle that right now - I'll let my two filters worry about any rust particles. I just ordered a new sender and gasket (using our online shopping cart), and it will be here tomorrow. I'm also going to install two more filters - one right in front of each carb, just for added measure (just like I recommend in my book!).

So tomorrow, it will be off with the short walk to the nearby gas station for some premium in a can, and then we can try the carbs again.

-Wayne

atlporsche · 07-13-2006, 03:50 AM

Giving...in....to...being....total....smartass...m ust...resist!!!!

NOOOOO!!!!!!

sjd

Porsche_monkey · 07-13-2006, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by atlporsche
Giving...in....to...being....total....smartass...m ust...resist!!!!

NOOOOO!!!!!!

sjd

I think he gets 5% off list....

charleskieffner · 07-13-2006, 04:08 AM

wayne there is a true equation that exists for these symptoms. MASS QUANITIES OF CASH + ALL NEW PARTS FOR EVERY SYSTEM + TIME/LABOR + WAREHOUSE FULL OF BEER= BRAND NEW CAR. it didnt take long to send my visa into low lunar orbit and my dumpster to overflow w/beer cans! but we are very very close to having a BRAND NEW 19 YEAR OLD CAR then we will step back, choke writing the monthly visa check for many months to come, and proclaim our victory over a 19 year old car, take it to the track...................AND START ALL OVER AGAIN!

IT SURE BEATS THE HELL OUT OF ARGUEING WITH THE EX!

Huh · 04:30 AM

Wayne....Just a suggestion to if you don't replace the tank or add that stuff that coats the inside of gas tank because of time, put a clear inline fuel filter just after the tank before your main filter. It will tell you how much rust is really coming out plus it is a cheap extra insurance. I did that with my '60 Unimog. I had a similar problem so when I put that in I could tell how much rust was really coming out. I never had any problems with fuel starvation anymore.

atlporsche · 07-13-2006, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PBH
I think he gets 5% off list....

LOL!!!!!

sjd

Wavey · 07-13-2006, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by atlporsche
LOL!!!!!

sjd

I think he gets 100% off cost.

Huh · 07-13-2006, 04:32 AM

I bet he pays atleast cost. someone has to pay for the parts!!!! But I like the 5% off list.

Mothy · Mothy's Garage

The joke in my house (from wife and ALL the kids) is that every time the bonus comes in, something goes wrong with the car!

And its true. First time it was broken head studs, next time it was stripped 1st gear, etc.

Bonus due this month - and my rear left wheel bearing has just started making nasty noises.

Oh well - at least I'm spending slower than my previous car was depreciating. At least thats what I tell them!

Tim

atlporsche · 07-13-2006, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Huh
I bet he pays atleast cost. someone has to pay for the parts!!!! But I like the 5% off list.

but technically, he's already paid for them once.

sjd

304065 · 07-13-2006, 05:51 AM

The first thing is to acknowledge that you have angered the Porsche G_ds by getting involved with that Italian car, whose marque I refuse to name but whose symbol is the Cavallino Rampante.

The next thing to do is to fix the fuel tank CORRECTLY, not with a couple of cheapo inline filters, but with the correct brass mesh fuel tank screens. If the tank is full of garbage, clean it out: all the filters in the world won't help you if rust, scale and dirt have completely blocked the mesh "finger" so that no fuel can flow.

It's probably a one day project, the hardest thing will be pulling the tank which is probably stuck to the pan. If you spend time detailing it will take longer, but it should be a simple matter to pull the tank, clean it, coat it, touch up the Schutz, reinstall the screens and put it back in with a new foam seal.

The car will love you for this and you may even score a few Karma points. . .