73 problems

g sturgill · 04-20-2011, 10:49 AM

I bought a 73 911T that hadn't been started in over 6 years. The previous owner had died and the wife finallly tired of the oil stains on the garage floor. I towed it home, put about 6 quarts of oil in it, let it sit for a week, turned the engine over by hand a few times and started to drain and change the oil. About 6 to 7 gallons of oil came out. In the mean time, I noticed that the exaust, muffler and under-carriage was soaked. There was even oil inside the exhaust system.

Months later after replacing practically the entire fuel system and switching the K-Jetronic injection to carbs, the engine started. I runs on about 3-4 cyls, smokes enough to cause the fire department to call, and eventually quits altogether. I did run a compression test, (of sorts), prior doing anything to it, and all cyls were about 100lbs, but mind you the engine hadn't yet run.

I'm very concerned about oil in the exhaust system. I assume that this is not a normal situation even if the tank and crankcase were slighlty over-filled. Also, is there a potential situation where the electrics get weaker and weaker to the point of failure and after sitting a couple of hours have enough juice to fire the cyls again?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks g

ppanagis@gmail. · ppanagis@gmail.'s Garage

When they stored the car, did they fill the engine up with oil?

g sturgill · 04-20-2011, 11:17 AM

The wife knew little to nothing about the car. The owner had died in an auto accident so the car wasn't really put into storage. More left to sit, actually.

g

ppanagis@gmail. · ppanagis@gmail.'s Garage

I would say try firing her up with out a muffler... To see if your leak is actually still occurring... you will be able to see oil coming out of the head tips....

Pictures would really help here....

Did you change spark plugs are the carbs you put in the car in good Shape?

I had one cylinder that was not firing and the gas mixed with oil would leak down through the heads. after correcting the problem and running it for a bit until all the oil dried up it was fine...

I have a similar setup ... Pics please

g sturgill · 04-20-2011, 11:58 AM

I've changed the plugs, wires, rotor and re-set the points. The oil, by the way, is black and looks to be soaked with carbon. I'm not really sure what the photos would show except the anger and frustration on my face, however.

LakeCleElum · 04-20-2011, 11:58 AM

When stored for long periods, it not unusual for oil to seep into the cylinders and then out into the exhaust; even filling the muffler....You made matters worse by putting in the six quarts with draining the old oil. To properly check the oil level, the engine must be completely warmed up and idling on a level surface. So, it was seriously overfilled when you added 6 qts.

If it was mine, I would drain the engine and oil tank and start with 8 quarts. Before starting, I would pull the muffler and drain any in it. I would put in fresh plugs and realize it's gonna smoke like a crop duster until all that oil burns out of the exhaust....G'luck.

john walker's workshop · 04-20-2011, 12:24 PM

set the muffler on end in a drain pan. then take it to a radiator shop with a steam cleaner. i've drained a full quart from a muffler and there's no way it would ever just burn itself clean in less than a week with constant driving. no skeeters though.

g sturgill · 04-20-2011, 02:35 PM

Well, thanks for the info. I will pull the muffler, drain it and try to clean it out. I had no idea that much oil could seep into the system. Six years is a long time to sit, however.

Anyone got ideas about the electrical problem I described above? It's a CDI, and I do hear a faint whine after turning on the ignition switch. It could be that the plugs get so fouled that no amount of charge could create a spark.