HELP!!!

[chrisreale]

Here's the deal: My father has a 1973 914 2.0 L that he converted to carbs. He passed away, so the car now is in my hands. I want to get this thing running, but there are a few problems. First, I know nothing about synchronizing dual carbs. Second, it doesn't start. The starter just makes a clunking noise and doesn't turn over. What would the best thing for me to do? I am in Seattle Wa, does anyone know a good, trustworthy 914 mechanic that I could contact? Thanks to all, Chris

[J P Stein]

John Walker's Workshop.
206 789 6800

JPIII

[campbellcj]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your father. One of the toughest blows anybody could possibly face in life.

I know zip about carbs but there are lots of gurus on this list who can help with that, plus probably some good books available too. What kind of carbs are they? Webers, Dellortos or ???

Starter problems are unfortunately very common in 914s. The starters were somewhat "wimpy" to begin with, plus they are getting pretty old now. Believe it or not, the first thing to try is the good old "BFH trick", i.e. tap on it with a hammer, wrench handle etc. Sometimes this is enough to whack it back into action.

Even if that works, odds are that the starter is on its way out. You may need to fork over the bucks for a rebuilt unit. Try to get a real Bosch rebuild -- they are supposedly much better quality than the aftermarket rebuilt units. Installation is a piece of cake, just a couple of nuts/bolts, basically.

Another thing to check -- which has also happened to me -- is that it could actually be the electrical portion of your ignition switch, not the starter. The ignition switch has a plastic housing that cracks easily, and you get an intermittent connection for a while (clicks, sometimes starts, sometimes doesn't), then it will just totally die. This is also a pretty easy and cheap procedure, but a little more involved than the starter. There is a tech article here on the Pelican site that covers this task.

Keep us posted.

Cheers,

------------------
Chris C.
73 914 2.0
70 911E Targa
campbell.chris@gte.net

[This message has been edited by campbellcj (edited 08-10-2001).]

[Jim Smolka]

Sorry to hear of the loss of your father.

Have you tried to recharge the battery?

Worst case, the engine is frozen.

If you cannot repair it, be sure to take it to a shop that embraces 914s. Too many 914s have died at the hands of an unskilled mechanic.

[Bleyseng]

Today is the Porsche swap meet at the Phinney Ridge School. John Walker will be there if you want to meet him, and so will I. It starts at 8AM and goes until 2 PM. Lots of people and parts!
Come on down!
Geoff


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76 914 2.0L

[chrisreale]

Wish I checked this thread earlier, because I wouild have loved to go to the swap. The carbs are Webers. I did an experiment today, and I wanted to tell you all to see if there is some important info. I was reading in a book about starters, and it described a test that you could do to test the starter. I got two alligator clips and some heavy duty wire (made a jumper), and attached them to the starters ignition circut. The starter moter spun, but wasn't catching, so the engine would not turn over. What gives? Is this an ignition problem?

[WOODPIE]

Ahh...Ahh...Ahh...I know this one! As campbellcj suggested, whack the solenoid with a hammer or wrench a couple times. I was stuck out in the middle of nowhere when I remembered that trick, which I learned from a pick-up truck, and the problem hasn't reoccured yet (three weeks daily driver). But I'm certain it will. Do like me and start saving for a new (rebuilt) starter.

Did your father ever tell you how he felt about his 914?

Ed

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Do you mean that the starter motor spun the car's engine OK, but the car didn't start? Or do you mean that the starter motor itself spun, but the car's engine didn't turn over at all?

Those are two very different problems.

If the second is what happened, then your starter should be replaced. The solenoid isn't kicking the Bendix gear out into the teeth in the flywheel. You may be able to fix it by taking it apart, cleaning, and re-lubing it--or that might not work. (It only costs some time and grease, though.)

If the first is the case, then it could be a wide variety of things. No offense intended--but did you have the key turned to "on" when you jumpered the starter?? ...I tried for about a half-hour to push-start my 914 one day. Then I figured out I was forgetting to turn the key to "on"... Duuuuhhhh. (One of those "is it plugged in?" kinds of things.)

Ignition would be another possible cause, as would the FI.

--DD

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Pelican Parts 914 Tech Support

A few pics of my car: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Dave_Darling

[chrisreale]

Dave- The starter was not engaging the fly wheel. The starter moter was spinning, but it was not cranking anything else. I am pretty sure the key was "ON", but you got me thinking...

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

If the starter was not engaging the flywheel, then the problem is in the starter itself. As I said, you can try taking it apart and cleaning it up and re-lubing, or you can just buy another starter.

--DD

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Pelican Parts 914 Tech Support

A few pics of my car: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Dave_Darling

[robphelan]

Hi, I just adjusted the carbs on my 74 2.0L.. nothing to it.. I bought a synchonizer from the local bug shop for about $50. it fits right over the intakes. It gives you an analog read out of volume. Take all measurements and adjust the screw to adust the volume of gas until the synch reads the same for all your intakes.

[JmuRiz]

Which screw is it that you adjust...I have twin webers on mine too and if I got a sync tool I could do it myself if I only knew what screw to adjust on the carbs. Thanks!

Nathan

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'73 2.0 914

[chrisreale]

Yea, in the pile of stuff my dad left behind, there was one of those synch tools, un-opened. If I knew how to use it properly, I would. First step for me is to check this starter out. Any tech articles or good books on Weber carbs and adjusting them?

[GregS]

Chris, there are a coule of good books on Webers. One is called Weber Carburetors, by Pat Braden (HP Books). Another is by the people at Haynes. Hope this helps. Greg.

The best book (IMO) for learning how to tune the webers is at

http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?productID=4

The Weber Tech Manual

It's basic and technical at the same time.