Dead & left stranded by the road

911mnypt · 02-28-2008, 09:29 PM

Well, my baby pooped out on me tonight leaving me stranded just 1/4 mile from home. All of a sudden I felt the engine loose power, sputter and felt like it was running on four cylinders. When I made it to the red light it totally died out and would not start. Thank goodness the street light was on a hill so I was able to coast into a secure street where I was promptly met by a fellow Porsche owner offering to help. When I popped the deck lid open the engine smelt funny like it was hot and my fan belt was way loose! Over heated? Once the tow truck dropped me off back at home, out of curiosity I tried to start the car and it fired right up. However, the engine sounded like it was running rough...man I hope I did not screw it up!

RoninLB · 02-29-2008, 04:23 AM

something similar happened to mine. Original CIS and fuel pump fed as if engine was running on 4 cylinders for over 25 miles in the middle of Texas on I-10. Turned out to be a weak fuel pump.

maybe do a flow test on your fuel pump

jasonlee · 02-29-2008, 05:12 AM

I would check the fuel pump. When mine went, I experienced very similar symptoms. Although. mine did not start again until the fuel pump replaced. Good luck.

Don Ivey · 02-29-2008, 05:13 AM

Same thing happened to me, minus the smell. It was a fuel pump gone bad, so replaced the pump and filter, and all is well. Hope that's all you have to do. Good luck,

Don Ivey
'87 Carrera

911mnypt · 02-29-2008, 05:23 AM

I replaced the fuel pump "re-furbished" about six months ago...hopefully that is my only problem.

porschefool · porschefool's Garage

Replace fuel filter, while you're at it...regardless of it's age.
Just solved what I thought was a huge problem by doing that!

Plecostomus · 02-29-2008, 10:54 AM

Nice car!

SC-targa · 02-29-2008, 11:04 AM

Check the fuel pump relay.

Also check if the switch in the fuel metering unit is working.

*Remove the airfilter.

*Turn on the ignition

*Push up the disc in the fuel distributor and listen for the fuel pump. If the swtich is shorted, your fuel pump wont work.

Mine shorted intermittently in there and it took me a bit to solve.

Good luck.

Jerry Kroeger

rusnak · 02-29-2008, 11:36 AM

somewhat OT....how well did it work out to use the rear tow hook? Any damage? Did they use it as an attachement point to winch the car onto the flatbed?

Thanks, just making mental notes "in case of emergency".

Glad you got it home safely.

fumanchu · 02-29-2008, 11:46 AM

Let me know if you need a spare set of eyes to help diagnose..as we are close neighbors.

Shawn

911mnypt · 02-29-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusnak

somewhat OT....how well did it work out to use the rear tow hook? Any damage? Did they use it as an attachment point to winch the car onto the flatbed?

Thanks, just making mental notes "in case of emergency".

Glad you got it home safely.

The rear tow hook worked well...I was a total nervous Nelly watching it go up the ramp! No damage at all to the bumper. The AAA guy really took his time, 45 min, to load the car. He used 4X4 cut at a 45 degree so the car could roll up on it first before going up the ramp...saving my front spoiler.

This weekend I will start figuring out what went wrong...thanks everyone for their input!

Richard

911mnypt · 02-29-2008, 03:43 PM

Hey Shawn...just sent you a PM

rusnak · 02-29-2008, 04:43 PM

that tow truck driver has got to receive kudos for that!

I'll remember the 2"x4" trick, especially if I break down close to home. I've had to push my car to my mechanic's house twice, not fun.

the angle on that back tow hook made me cringe a little, but I'm glad it worked out well.

porschenut · 02-29-2008, 04:49 PM

All of you guys are ignoring the four most important clues that he gave you - the engine smelled funny, was hot, the fan belt was "way loose!" and it fired right up when back at home. You still want to suggest it's the fuel pump?

rusnak · 02-29-2008, 04:51 PM

umm, not enough air in the tires?

911mnypt · 02-29-2008, 05:23 PM

Well I have started to dig into the problem...I turned the key over to hear the fuel pump and it sounded like my coffee grinder, not the normal hummmm. I called the place where I purchased it and the tech said that they have had a ton of them come back...So an exchange is in order.

I called Nate @ 9Motorsport (West Sacramento) and bought a Bosch from him...the kicker to this...Nate said since he will be out in Fair Oaks area this weekend that he will deliver to my house. I don't even know this guy...what service!

Yes, I am writing a note to the AAA guys boss giving him kudos for the job well done!

911mnypt · 03-02-2008, 03:20 PM

Just wanted to finish this thread...I installed the new Bosch fuel pump and the car runs like a champ! I also tightened the fan belt up since it was way loose...

Buckterrier · 03-02-2008, 04:36 PM

Not trying to be a Dink here, as I'm happy you solved your problem. But is it a case of you getting what you paid for, both times?

911mnypt · 03-02-2008, 05:27 PM

Mark,

The first fuel pump I purchased was a reman and the company will refund my money "yes, I got what I paid for...Junk". The Bosch I just installed is not a reman...

Take care,

Richard

Buckterrier · 03-02-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911mnypt

Mark,

The first fuel pump I purchased was a reman and the company will refund my money "yes, I got what I paid for...Junk". The Bosch I just installed is not a reman...

Take care,

Richard

Thanks Richard, I was just curious. I'll know to stay away from stuff like that.