912 backfires and is slow to start

[drexel912]

Hello everyone!!! I just bought a new 912 and have decided to join this forum, I previously had a 944 but was over on Rennlist. I got a great deal on it, but I knew it had a few issues going in I could use some advice on. First is the exhaust, i know I need a new one so how much do they usually run? Secondly, it backfires a tiny bit when I let off the gas... is this because of the exhaust has a hole in the pipe? Thirdly, mine doesn't have that much power from the start... any ideas? It gets up and goes once above second gear but it's just a little slow in when I go from a complete stop. I appreciate any suggestions, thanks... Sean

[atlporsche]

welcome aboard.

from a standstill...does it bog or choke? a choke sounds like you're running out of gas...I suspect it's a bog...read on.

the backfire is most likely from the hole in the pipe mixing with an over-rich condition.

check your carbs (float levels esp, and the acclerator pump). what year is the car? solexes, webers, zeniths?

lots of help can be found in my sig...be sure to register at the 912 registry...lots of us hang at the other bbs as well.

sjd

[drexel912]

its mostly a bog of sorts, i suspected it was from the hole in the exhaust... thanks for the advice. i have no clue which carbs, its pouring rain and haven't had a chance to check them yet. so a new exhuast will increase the power at the startup? any suggestions for a new exhaust ? thanks a ton!

[drexel912]

oh yeah, and it's a 69

[atlporsche]

what distributor? (just the last 3 numbers from the part number)

as for exhausts...I loved my bursch...but I'm going with supertrapps as I'm now subaru powered. even the quiet bursch is pretty loud, though...it's really what you're looking for in sound...

sjd

[atlporsche]

http://www.utm.edu/~gonzalez/Mov00701.mpeg

if you were curious.

sjd

[h.beard]

Sean,
Call Will at Classic Speed and Parts (CSP) at 626-445-0108.
He can fix you up with a new exhaust.
Howard

[h.beard]

Where are you in PA?

[drexel912]

I am in Erie, PA... I am looking for an exhaust that isnt too loud. Right now it sounds like I am riding a Harley and I can't even hear the radio. Something that isn't too loud but helps in the horse power department.

[Hoffman912]

Sean,

im in columbus ohio, there is a guy named marty puussar in cleveland.
there are a few of us scattered through out the midwest. there will be a midwest./great lakes regional gtg in indiana on the 25th. and hopefully another one this fall. you should stop by!

right now i have the same prob you do.. exhaust leak, and rich carbs.. i feel your pain.. Howard and steve have both smelled your pain a few mos ago when they were behind me on the twisties.. :roflmao:

check the idle jets makes sure they are not clogged.. (it helped me a little).. fix or replace the exhaust, and get thy nine dozen to someone who knows how to balance carbs (and have him teach ya a few things so you can do it yourself!!)

[atlporsche]

just because it's a small world and everything...

my wife and I are from erie...both of our parents' are there...we live in georgia now...

where in erie are you...how old are you, and how do I know you...(because in Erie, everyone knows everyone...esp the car guys)

your car isn't orange is it? 28th street out by the airport?

sjd

[drexel912]

Wow, it IS a small world. I am in Erie because a few years back I was engaged and moved here with her. Shortly after I moved here she had an affair and we broke up (like six weeks after the move). I am currently 23, on the verge of 24 in a few months. I have LOVED porsche ever since I was a kid. I bought my first 944 about a year and a half ago... it went bad real quick with the radiator and a few other things going wrong. I sold it out of fear of not being able to keep up financially.

Needless to say I was addicted, I bought a stupid Celica and missed the Porsche to NO end. I made some moves financially and found this elderly man who was selling his 912 in Maryland because he was moving to Florida and the 912 doesn't have air. I put the car up on ramps today and looked at it... it has weber carbs, but a sticker that says "inter 057047" on it. The carbs are clean but the filters and hood of the engine compartment are oil soaked due to that hose that runs as an overflow for the oil compartment. The engine doesn't burn any oil, says the old owner and a seven hour drive from the Baltimore area showed no oil burnage or leaking.

I know that is a ton of info to read so I am going to stop writting. The only other question I have is do all the 912's have that bogging problem? I was talking to someone in California who is selling his car and he said that it has a slight hesitation in the lower gear when you floor it. I really appreciate all your help and I hope I can be a part of this for a really long time. Thanks a ton!

[drexel912]

So apparently this morning it wouldn't start. The guy I bought it from hardly ever drove it, we jumped it thinking it was a dead battery or an alternator. Took it to AutoZone to have the battery tested and the guy there said the problem is probably a starter. Any advice?

Also, where can I find a bunch of interior stuff? Mine needs redone so I need seats, dash, bunch of the knobs on the dash, carpet, door panels, etc. Thanks guys!!!

[atlporsche]

do you own the orange car then? if you happened to see the guy with the baby stroller and a dog or two, that was my brother...he confirmed that the orange one, two blocks from them is a 912.

my folks live up a block...parallel with the airport.

check your grounds before you shell for a starter

sjd

[drexel912]

no i bought a silver one, originally blue, out of Maryland. I JUST bought it on the Third at 11:37pm, drove it back to Erie the next day.

Where should the grounds run? It has this CD player (obviously aftermarket) that a previous owner installed himself, or had someone he knew do it because it's a shoddy job. So I thought that might be sucking out juice or something.

[drexel912]

what did you guys do for seats? mine need replaced and I am on the fence about whether to stay with the original seats or get something more comfortable and supportive to the bad lower back. Would that be against the rules?

[atlporsche]

My car was a one owner car from a childhood friend...the interior is original and PERFECT. I didn't have to do anything...

there are no rules...it's what you like...hell, mine was a C quality car (parts or LONG resto) so i'm building it the way I want it...with a subaru dual cam engine.(it's flat four..)

check out the thread down below for a movie. (porscharu fans #5)

if you suspect the CD player, make sure it's in the off position...or with the ignition off, see if it turns on. if that's the case, you just have to make sure to turn it off all the time. another test is to pull the main fuse.

you're 24 with a bad lower back?

sjd

[drexel912]

well i played baseball in college and blew out my right knee which is leading to a lower back pain that gets aggrivated when I am out in Rec leagues diving for balls in centerfield

The car's body is more like a 911... it has a whale tail and doesn't have the crome bumper in the front. I am working on getting pics, stupid neighbor borrowed the digital camera, so I will share those when I get them. Is it hard to install a starter or exhaust system? Will Porsche guru's mock me if I update the interior with seats from a 930 or something like that? Any suggestions for the door panels or dash board as far as where to get some? Thanks.

Sean

[atlporsche]

heck no...we have a "renegade place to play" at 912bbs.org

neither are tough to install, even though I've only done my starter with the engine out...(but that takes an hour)

there's lots of interior updating...

you'd only catch flack if this was a car that was concours correct or all original. it sounds like you're talking about a low B class restoration...(little rust, lots of incorrect parts)

sjd

[drexel912]

yeah, almost no rust.... the interior is all original but is worn and dirty
the body has a whale tale, so we know that is not original
the paint is in good shape, only two small nicks
can i install the stater with the engine in?