Took the Plunge... Couple of Questions

[Newell33]

Hi Guys

After a month or so of looking, I finally pulled the trigger on a car. I purchased an '86 Carrera with approximately 87,000 miles on it. I did do some homework on the car prior to purchase, but didn't have a PPI completed. Although I knew that this could be risky, I felt I had enough information from the seller to make a decision. The car was in the St. Louis area which was fairly close to me, so that was a plus. The car has been on eBay a couple of times, and does have some mismatched parts, but all in all I am happy with the purchase as I was able to talk the seller down some on the price.

I haven't had much time to look the car over, but I have taken it for a few spins, and took it on a 40 mile round trip a couple of nights ago. I've definitely fallen in love with how it drives. I was able to get the oil changed in it last night, and I cleaned the interior some.

One of the things I've noticed is that the car seems to be just a bit on the rich side at idle. I also noticed that there's a very faint whistle coming from the throttle plate area under accerleration, or when I "blip" the throttle. It sounds like a slight chirp of the fan belt, but it's not actually coming from the belt. The car's rpm also moves up and down slightly at idle. Is it possible the car has a slight vacuum leak? I didn't notice a change in idle with the oil cap off. Is there an area near the throttle plate that typically causes this problem on these cars? Where should I start for both the slight "rich" condition and this intermittent whistle?

Thanks in advance for the help!
Josh

[OsoMoore]

I won't be much help on diagnosing the engine issues, but I want to say Congratulations!
I just got my car 2 weeks ago, and its a blast. Post pictures!

[SuperOldSchool]

Congratulations! Enjoy the start of a long love affair......

[Newell33]

Thanks guys! I'm loving the car so far, but just need to narrow down a few small issues. Here are a couple of photos from my cell phone today:

[GaryR]

86 had 964 rocker panels? Take those off and run naked!!!

[kidrock]

I like it, great stance. Only 87K? Looks like a heckuva score.

If you believe the whistle is a vacuum leak, get some carb spray and lightly spray the area(s) where you believe the leak may be emanating. A change in idle will confirm your suspicions.

Welcome!!!

[DRACO A5OG]

The whistle may be coming from your idle adjust screw's o ring,over time and heat the o ring shrinks or becomes brittle. I just swap the screw that had a new o ring It will also be more apparent with out the OEM airbox. Do you have a cone filter?

BTW, leave her alone she looks clean, red hot!

[Newell33]

I thought about taking off the rockers, but they've been growing on me. The car has had some paint work. Normally I'm very cautious of paint work, but the car looks pretty good, especially after the coat of wax I put on it today. There are a few very small paint issues, but nothing really visible without looking really close. It makes for a great driver!

The car does have an aftermarket cone type filter installed. I'll spray around the throttle plate and idle screw tomorrow when I get a chance. Hopefully I can narrow it down.

Thanks for the help!

[DRACO A5OG]

Just remember when the engine bay get's filled with spray, it will give a false positve, so do a little at a time. I like to use starter fluid/ether, a little bit shows up quickly.

In fact, put your finger on the idle adjustment screw while idling and if it is sloppy then you may have found the culprit

[aigel]

How do you know it is running rich?

A vacuum leak would allow more air behind the metering which will make it run lean.

G

[Newell33]

How do you know it is running rich?

A vacuum leak would allow more air behind the metering which will make it run lean.

G

After idling for a short period of time the car will produce what I'd call a very slight and periodic pop in the muffler. It sounds kind of like excess fuel burning. The exhaust smells slightly rich, but the car doesn't produce any black smoke. The car runs great down the road, but has a very slight hesitation if I "blip" the throttle quickly. The whistle does not occur while idling, but does right off idle, or under a load for a short period when hitting the next gear, etc. My experience tells me that the hesitation off idle and the whistle indicates a slight vacuum leak. I'd compare it to a carburetor with a leaking base plate gasket, but not nearly as severe. I may have two separate issues, so I'll start with the spray, and go from there.

[James Brown]

this might help troubleshooting the engine:
Turbo Transmission Explained - YouTube

whoops, might be the wrong vid. the good news is after 34ish years of porsche making the 911, they almost got it right! so not much to do but enjoy!!

[porwolf]

Congratulations and welcome to our family. I am sure the guys, and girls?, her will figure out why your engine does not run perfect under all conditions. On the "chirp": You are not talking about a little slip of the fan belt, are you. I do experience exactly that when I punch the gas petal a little quickly. But that happened after I installed a new belt. So it may be a little lose. But then I prefer lose rather than too tight because it can wear out the fan/generator bearings. I do the same on my 82 Landcruiser after replacing power steering pump, smog pump and water pump. Ever since I kept the belts as lose as possible with only minor occasional "chirping" these components lasted much longer!

[dshepp806]

Yeap,..WELCOME! Looks good, too. Much help here for you and her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BEST!

Doyle

[Dave 86 930 Fl]

Thanks guys! I'm loving the car so far, but just need to narrow down a few small issues. Here are a couple of photos from my cell phone today:

Great looking car. Enjoy.

[dshepp806]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Just remember when the engine bay get's filled with spray, it will give a false positve, so do a little at a time. I like to use starter fluid/ether, a little bit shows up quickly.

In fact, put your finger on the idle adjustment screw while idling and if it is sloppy then you may have found the culprit

I'm interested in getting this o-ring changed out. DRACO, who did you get the parts from? Does this thing simply screw outwards for removal,..? Need to look at P.E.T.......

Thanks,

Doyle

[dshepp806]

Looks to be 930-110-919-00-OEM,..for the screw. Size O-ring?

Doyle

[dshepp806]

Wow,..I need to better catalogue my projects and data-seeking....my search reveals the posed questioned already , as to looking for the O-ring.... here: Annoying whistle when idle..

(mmmm).

Doyle

[theclaw]

Congrats, Really like that color/wheel combo.

[jsveb]

Congratulations

Really nice car.