Things I Have Learned about 914s...What are your secrets?

[John Rogers]

Having owned 914s for a few years now I have gathered a list of NICE things to remember, such as:
1 - If the D-Jet engine starts to run ragged, replace the FI points FIRST. Every time this has happened the FI points happened to be the cure.

2 - Back firing can be caused by broken exhaust studs. Have them all replaced with the large ones immediately.

3 - If #2 was not the cause, check the injector seals and plastic caps if they are missing? Missing caps will let the injector flop around in the small seal and cause air leaks.

4 - If fuse #9 blows, check the backup light wires. If they are okay, check the wires to the gauges for fraying or see if the PO had added accessories to the inner lug at fuse #9.

5 - Check vacuum hoses yearly for hardening and cracks at the ends. At the same time clean out the PCV valve and reseal the oil filler to the block as the cork gasket will harden.

6 - Make sure all the seals around the tin are good, especially true in So Cal.

7 - Make a jumper so you can bypass the fuel pump start relay at pins 30 to 87 so you can get home. This will cause the pump to run when the key is on. I also have a set of 3 for our 1987 930.

Do you have any to add?????

[GregD]

If you are going on a long run in the mountains and have changed your fuel gauge because you replaced the combo, make sure you either have it calibrated, or know when it is close to empty... Not me, but a friend

[Tidybuoy]

Wash the car at least once a week - cause, you want to look good - don't you?

Oh yeah, if your clutch cable breaks at midnight in the middle of the night, in the Santa Cruz Mountains - you can still make it home double clutching & starting the car in 1st gear. But, a spare clutch cable would have come in handy.

[DonNewton]

Here's one: They make a**-kicking race cars. Buy a spare one and make the leap!

[SGB]

!

[scotty914]

well my list is short:

i keep one of those 2 dollar auto testers with a light bulb in it
works great for everything including finding loose grounds, to figuring why that damn fuse blows

also a few peices of wire with alagator clips of the end to bypass anything that needs it ( i once had it to my fuel pump from my headlight when a wire broke off under the gas tank )

i even keep a butane soildering iron in the car

oh dont forget the 30 lb tool box with the AAA card in it ( that way after the 30 lbs of tools dont fix it the card is right in front of me )

[Kenny Powell]

Okay John,
I think I got a good one...the 914 comes with 2 free round relay tester's(black one's) as per test of relay board. they are the socket's that run the Headlights( if it makes your head lights pop up! it(relay) is good.

[SGB]

Actually the most valuable trick I have is the hole I drilled at the top edge of my spark plug socket so I can hook it with a piece of stiff wire. I can't get one of those T-handle type to fit around my intake manifold on one cylinder. When I put in new plugs and pull the socket extension, it always seperates from the socket (leaving the socket on the plug below the top of the cooling tin). So I drilled that hole, and and yank it out with the wire handle part of a really big binder clip.

Also-
always try a 13mm first.
Expect ot take off at least one tire to do ANYTHING.
Remember to clean and relube that clutch cable pully.

[castlesteve]

I probably have a couple to add (now that im on my 16th year of ownership)....


1) dont throw away rear brake calipers.
2) the ebrake will eventually sieze up on you... dont use it if you dont have to? (i know that sounds like bad advice)
3) YES... keep an extra clutch cable in the car. Mine go like clockwork every 3-4 years.
4) Make sure coil is secured tightly... i've seen them spin in place and rip the wiring from the engine.
5) for 1.8s... INSPECT the fuel injection resistors FIRST if all of a sudden your car feels like its running on 3
6) Replace that old rusty double relay
7) Replace all the shift linkage bushings immediately for a brand new feel and better response
8) Name your oil leaks.... they become family after awhile.
9) Compufire - enough said.

[Conrad W Peden]

Whack the starter solenoid.

[norustscott]

Rust free 914's have rust and are never free. I will bet even the Ferdinand 8 in the museum has rust...

[Jason Porter]

Throughout my 914 ownership I learned there is no such thing as a trouble-free 914. They aren't totally reliable.

As a fix-it motivated kinda guy, I always got there, but I was sometimes dirty from working on my car, so I made this rule:

ALWAYS CARRY ONE SET OF CLOTHES WITH YOU THAT ARE PRE-APPROVED BY YOUR WIFE FOR FIXIN'.

[robinaube]

- The stock starters are lame and should be replaced immediately with a Tilton High torque starter. You will never have another hot start problem again.

- When you have problems, check the basics. Do I have spark? Do I have fuel? Do I have 12v at the device? Is my ground good? These cars are getting old and you shouldn't assume anything is good.

- Always have a current AAA card or respective towing service. 914's are a lot of fun but reliable they aren't. The AAA card will give you the confidence to take the car out for drives because you will know you will get home one way or the other.

[iamchappy]

When installing spark plugs attach a 6 inch or longer length of hose to the insulator, when the plug threads in tight enough that the hose slips on the insulator pull the hose off and tighten it up the rest of the way with your wrench.
The hose allows good feel and prevents cross threading or stripping, and also eliminates the possibility of losing or dropping the plug.

[3D914]

I have a few:

1) Always use an engine lift of some kind to remove/install the engine.
2) Always inspect the cooling fan at service intervals - some strange things can get stuck in there.
3) If you get tired of trying to diagnose FI problems, don't go to carbs - just update the FI system to something more modern with sensor feedback.
4) Check tire pressure at regular intervals - just because you don't hear the tires squeel, doesn't mean you not spinning out.
5) Despite what people may say - you can use your 914 as a truck. Few cars have a 4ft x 4ft trunk with a lid that opens nearly vertically.
6) Despite what people may say - a 914 can be reliable enough to drive on 3500 mile trips.