Helga's adventure, part 2 (the shop visit)

[azasadny]

In the ongoing saga of Helga, the stubborn '74 911, I wanted to provide an update. I rented a UHaul trailer today and hauled the car 75 miles to Tab Tanner at Autobahn Garage in Findlay, OH. I have been trying to get a trailer for about 2 weeks and this is the first available trailer. Tab is going to figure out what's wrong with my car and get it back on the road (to be put up for sale in very near future...)




In Tab's shop...

[azasadny]

Here's a link to the original thread...

Helga is on her way out...

[TerryH]

Good luck, Art! But after you get everything fixed, you should keep it.

Ironic that we fix the house, car, whatever.... then we get rid of it.

[village idiot]

Wow, that's a great looking car! Beautiful color

[kach22i]

Art, you should have a going away party for Helga, perhaps meet up at that park in Pinkney where I think I saw her once a long time ago.

[JohnJL]

How about as-is? I know, I know...but I wont stop hassling you... ;-)

[rcecale]

Originally posted by TerryH
Good luck, Art! But after you get everything fixed, you should keep it.

Ironic that we fix the house, car, whatever.... then we get rid of it.

+1

I had a neighbor who, before putting his house up for sale, went through pretty much the entire house and replaced/upgraded practically everything. From the roof, to new carpets, new ceramic tile and granite counterops/backsplashes in the kitchen, paint on all walls, and even professionally landscaped. SHEESH!

Art, I can certainly understand your frustration with your car. I've been there myself. It seems I get one thing fixed and two others break or wear out. Most recently, it was in the shop for almost 3 months, trying to get a DME/MAF issue resolved. After waiting for so long, i started thinking about getting rid of it for something "more reliable."

Do yourself a favor and drive her for a while when you get her back from Tab. You'll quickly remember why you've ever bothered to put any effort into her at all.

Your car is beautiful! Helga looks to be in much better condition than mine, but one thing I realized when I got mine out of the shop this last time, and have been driving her for a while. Despite the seemingly constant need for repairs, she has been extremely reliable in at least one category...Pure Driving Enjoyment!

Semper fi!

Randy

[azasadny]

Randy,

Thanks! I'll be driving the car after Tab get's it sorted out, but I'm going to sell it and save to get a '87 to '89 Carrera that is mechanically sound so I have a car that my wife and I can enjoy furing the summer driving season. The '74 requires someone more mechanically inclined than me and it will be a good car for someone. I've had the car for 4 years and this is the first "no drive season" I've had, but this experience has shown me that I don't have the chops to keep it on the road. Tab is a great mechanic, but I don't have a trailer, so getting the car to him (75 miles) when it isn't running is not easy. I need to sell the car, tear down my garage and build a bigger "man cave" with a hoist, then buy a newer 911 to have fun with. This has been a learning experience and I'm convinced now, more than ever that I NEED to have a 911 to drive!!!

[Zeke]

Originally posted by azasadny
Randy,

Thanks! I'll be driving the car after Tab get's it sorted out, but I'm going to sell it and save to get a '87 to '89 Carrera that is mechanically sound so I have a car that my wife and I can enjoy furing the summer driving season. The '74 requires someone more mechanically inclined than me and it will be a good car for someone. I've had the car for 4 years and this is the first "no drive season" I've had, but this experience has shown me that I don't have the chops to keep it on the road. Tab is a great mechanic, but I don't have a trailer, so getting the car to him (75 miles) when it isn't running is not easy. I need to sell the car, tear down my garage and build a bigger "man cave" with a hoist, then buy a newer 911 to have fun with. This has been a learning experience and I'm convinced now, more than ever that I NEED to have a 911 to drive!!!

Art, as much as I have sympathized with you in your misadventures, your above post is a contradiction.

I can understand your wanting to rid yourself of the current car and I won't try to convince you to keep it. I should convince you, however, to take your time and hold out for a good price. When buying, or selling, it's a sound practice to wait out the right car or right buyer.

But, I really don't understand. If you get this car sorted to the point that you are confident that it will sell for the best price possible, then buy another used car, you do run the risk of inheriting someone else's problems. There are different motivations to sell, but getting rid of a problem instead of fixing it, is one of the major ones.

Last comments: Our cars don't often require transportation to a shop for repair. It can happen to anyone, anytime, but not often. But, you're gonna build a fix it facility and buy a "reliable" car. I guess you like to tinker, but not have things get beyond the simple task. Still, it seems like a lot of money. No wonder many of the wives don't understand us.

[1982911SCTarga]

Art's not fooling anyone. He's over here trying to wheel and deal a service cover from our host.

Bottom line: Keep your car, Art. Then buy a second one. What are the chances that both would be down at the same time?

Brian

[toolman]

Hey Art, What is the latest with Helga? Did Tab find anything so far?

[azasadny]

I haven't heard anything from Tab yet. I told him to take his time and he said he will fix the car and drive it for several days before he gives it back to me. The last time I picked the car up (8/4), I was able to drive it 75 miles back to my house, then i wasn't able to drive it again, so Tab wants to be sure it's fixed and doesn't act up when it's cold/warm/hot.

Putting the car on the trailer by myself was fun! The car started right up but idles too low, so I had to accelerate just enough to get the car up the steep ramps, then let off at just the right time so I didn't run off the trailer. Nobody was around when I did this, so it was a challenge. The UHaul trailer weighed 900lbs and the car weighs about 2300lbs, but the Expedition pulled it, no problem.

Tab isn't working over the holiday weekend, so I don't expect to get the car back until next weekend, at the earliest. I've missed the entire driving season, so I'm keeping busy doing other things. I'll take this opportunity to clean the garage and reorganize my tools, etc... (busy work).

Things aren't going well at work (Ford Motor Co) and the rumors are running rampant, so I'm not going to be selling/buying anything until the dust clears and I see where I am. no such thing as a "safe job" of course, so I have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best...

[azasadny]

Tab is working on Helga this week. He found that the fuel pumps (2) that I have aren't keeping the pressure where it needs to be. The WUR is functioning properly as are the injectors and fuel distributor. The "bad" news is that I need a new fuel pump, and they are expensive. The "good" news is that the engine's leakdown/compression tests were excellent, so that's a relief. Tab will get the car sorted out, then drive it for a few days to be sure all is well before I pick it up. Tab is very busy and it takes time to get the car done, but I'm confident in his abilities, honesty and integrity. You can't ask for more than that...

[toolman]

Thanks for the update, I almost called you last night and got busy watching the Tigers. Hope all is well.....

[1982911SCTarga]

He found that the fuel pumps (2) that I have aren't keeping the pressure where it needs to be.

Art, your earlier CIS tests (with the gauge, which everyone should have) were pointing at system pressure as an issue. Think of this as confirmation of your diaganosing skills. You applied the right instrument and you were on the right treatment course. You've passed one level of your Porsche physician internship.

Brian

[azasadny]

Brian,
Thanks! Now, I've lost my mind, which is the next level of Porsche internship, I guess! Who would have thought that 2 fuel pumps could be "bad"?

[ruf-porsche]

Art

Do you car have two fuel pumps? When I had my 74 911 Coupe it only had one fuel pump located in front of the driver rear wheel. I had to change the fuel pump and brought a rebuilt pump, and when i went to install the pump the pump was leaking through the case. I return the rebuilt fuel pump and brought a brand new pump instead. It was pricey back then, I don't want to know what it cost these days.

I replaced the pump on my current 82 Porsche a couple of weeks ago. I brought a use pump on Ebay and it works fine. I think I paid $40.00 including shipping.

[azasadny]

Ruf,
No, my car only has one fuel pump. One was with my car and I replaced that one with another used fuel pump, which also was "bad". They both failed to deliver adequate pressure, but didn't leak or make any strange noises. I'll get a new fuel pump (from Tab Tanner) and he'll install it and check everything out and make sure the pressures are good. I don't want any more used fuel pumps, maybe I'll send both of my old ones to someone who rebuilds them and sell one and keep the other for a spare? I think a new Bosch fuel pump for CIS is about $600!

[azasadny]

My mechanic (Tab Tanner) and I have decided to replace my cursed CIS with Weber carbs. Anyone got a good deal on used Webers for a stock 2.7CIS engine?

Here's a link to my listing on this site.

WTB Good used Weber 40mm carbs for 2.7L CIS engine

[Tim Hancock]

If Tab were truly a nice guy, he would give you his off of his car