87 911 - not started for 2 years

[Mike-S]

Hi all
I'm looking for advice on starting up a 911 that hasn't run for a couple of years. It's spent the last 20 years stored away in a warehouse and only used a few times a year, covering only 12,000km in that 20 years. 2 years ago the (now elderly) owner went to start it only to find the battery wasn't quite up to it so although it turned over, the car didn't fire up. He then left it and here we are today with a car that hasn't spun over for 2 years and me (perhaps foolishly) offering to help get it running again

So, is there a secret to starting one up without damaging the engine? I'm not familiar (yet) with flat 6's or air cooled engines so I'm concerned about damaging the piston rings after so long and getting some oil round it. Normally I'd do that just by popping the coil lead off, pulling the spark plugs and cranking it with a fresh battery until the oil light goes out but am I likely to cause any harm with that approach ? Is there a better way with a 911? Or am I worrying about nothing and should just be splashing some fresh fuel in and strapping in a new battery?

Cheers
Mike

[turbo owner]

New battery, pull the coil wire and crank it till you see oil pressure then try to start it. 2 years is not horrible, my new to me 79 turbo sat for about 15 years and it's kind of problem child.

[RichardNew]

Drain the gas tank and put new gas in.

Do not use ether to start the car.

Richard Newton

[Mike-S]

Yeah, I'd thought of draining the tank out, it'll be useless in there now. Aussie fuel isn't great when it's new, never mind over 2 years old...

[midmoto]

We need pics of the car ..

[Mike-S]

It's just an old silver Targa....

[ischmitz]

If it doesn't start due to an apparent lack of fuel it could be due to the injectors. You can tell by introducing a little bit of starter fluid (or break cleaner) into the air filter. If that makes it run for a little bit it'll tell you are missing fuel.

Often times the injectors will be stuck shut when a 3.2 sits for more than a couple of month. While someone cranks use a large screwdriver handle and gently tap them gently to free their pistons.

Ingo

[PabloX]

Like Richard said, drain the tank and use new fuel. Pulling the plugs and squirting some oil in the cylinders, then turning the engine over a few times (but not starting) wouldn't be a bad idea. After it's running, don't be too surprised if the fuel pump dies shortly after (seen that one a few times in that circumstance). Also, inspect the fuel lines and replace the high pressure ones. I hate to see cars like that go up in flames.

[Mike-S]

Ingo & Pablo, thank you

[jlex]

Is there a drain plug on the bottom of that tank?

[PabloX]

Originally Posted by Mike-S

Ingo & Pablo, thank you

You're welcome! Good luck.

[Mike-S]

Well, gave it a try today but no joy, think the fuel pump has given up. Removed all the plugs, sprayed some oil in, spun it over and it very quickly showed oil pressure on the gauge so all good there. Plugs back in, but it made absolutely no attempt to fire up. Checked the pump and it's silent, would've expected at least a humming noise from it? Gave the relay under the seat a tap but that didn't do anything either. Not long after that, I noticed all the ignition lights were on, which was somewhat odd considering I had the keys in my pocket...

Seems it's developed some kind of electrical problem while I was trying to get it going, couldn't work out what the fault was so removed the battery and left it. The owner's going to get an auto electrician to look at it, they can probably diagnose the fuel pump at the same time. Shame, was looking forward to hearing it fire up !!

[Lapkritis]

Check for rodents.

[Mike-S]

No evidence of rodents anywhere in the car, it was a concern of mine anyway.

[HorstP]

keep in mind that the fuel pump will only start running with the engine turning over. Don't expect to hear it pumping when you turn ignition on.

[porschetub]

Originally Posted by Lapkritis

Check for rodents.

nah,spiders and snakes in that part of the world....true .

[Mike-S]

Originally Posted by porschetub

nah,spiders and snakes in that part of the world....true .

Yeah, they've already eaten the rodents

Didn't realise I wouldn't hear the fuel pump unless the engine was cranking over, was expecting to hear it humming with the ignition on. Having said that, I couldn't hear anything when it was cranking either so it's still prime suspect along with the relay.

Does the relay plug just pull off or does it have some kind of locking tab? After unbolting it from the floor I couldn't get it apart, eventually the relay cap came off rather than the plug coming off, caused no end of sparks until I disconnected the battery.

Looks a little better without some of the dust

[anthony]

I'm not a carrera expert (though I'm a sort-of SC expert now if you read my ongoing topic :-)). I'd first test to see if you have spark. Next check for fuel. You can put 12v to the fuel pump to see if it runs. I'm sure there is an easier way. On the SC you can jumper the fuel pump relay to do the same test much easier. Check for fuel and gas before you chase random electrical gremlins. It doesn't hurt to check/clean the contacts on the relevant fuses and relays. Good luck!

That car looks pretty clean. Is that just dirt on the hood? Not rust?

[kodioneill]

If you do a search you will see that electronic injectors can stick closed while sitting over a long period. Not sure but it's something to check.

[Mike-S]

Yeah Anthony, it's just dust on the car, it's been sat in the very dusty warehouse untouched. Prior to coming to Melbourne 20 years ago it was 'country' car, so has seen a fair number of dirt roads in its life. Certainly plenty of evidence of that when I was working in the engine bay yesterday, parts of it are stained orange from the dust that's accumulated in there but underneath is in very good condition, no rust or damage (which is a surprise). The hood needs repainting as the paint's cracked towards the leading edge as the current owner had it badly painted when he bought it just to cover some stone chips. The rest of the paint is *very* clean, a good polish and it'll come up well.

I'd read about sticky injectors, will have a crack at them next time I go in there, but first the owner needs to get his auto sparky in to look at the ignition problem. No point starting it if it can't then be turned off !