Strange start up skip on my 78sc

[TargaEuro]

I had taken the 911 out the other day and got caught in the rain, the car usually never sees rain at all. I decided to wash it before returning it to rest in the garage. Two days later I had to move it to do some work in the garage and when I turned the key it started up much quicker than normal and started to skip or misfire so it seemed. I didnt have time to look into it right away so a came back an hour later and I figured it would fix itself usually when this happens it goes away but it still was skiping and would lightly pop when I brought thr rpms up past 1000. I took the air filter out checked the pop off valve etc and found nothing. I did notice my plug wires were loose so I popped them all in tight still nothing changed. I started down the road with it and it was running rough as soon as I got past 2000 rpm it smoothed out and I stopped the car and the idle smoothed out aswell. I was thinking that when I washed it some water got into the plug holes since the wires were all slightly loose and was causing the spark on one or more of the cylinders to misfire. I never aim water directly into the grill but some must have got by the water shield. I took it out warmed the engine completly came home and all was back to normal. Anyone have any ideas on what may have happened....TargaEuro

[Doug Zielke]

Your hunch about the water affecting the spark plug connectors is probably correct.
Once your motor warmed up and boiled off the water, the trouble went away.

What kind of shape is the rest of the ignition wiring in? Next time you get the engine wet, watch it run in a dark garage.
If you see a lot of bluish glow from the wiring, it may be time for a new ignition wire set.

------------------
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
The Blue Bomber's Website

[This message has been edited by Doug Zielke (edited 07-16-2001).]

[TargaEuro]

It was tuned recently and the wires, cap and rotor were replaced with oem products Beru connectors on the wires too. I havent driven it since the other day so Ill check it out tomorrow and see what happens. I think it was the water too....TargaEuro

[RarlyL8]

The moisture in the air alone can cause a stumble upon startup. Combine this with running the car for a brief period of time and you have the makings for a backfire.
I posted on this event with my '78SC some time ago. If you don't allow the car to warm up a little before shutdown the rich condition may cause flooding. When my car did this a very pronounced miss occured. I drove the car under 3000rpm until it warmed up and then pushed it in second gear. At about 4000rpm everything suddenly smoothed out to normal.

[This message has been edited by RarlyL8 (edited 07-16-2001).]