A lesson learned

[Moneyguy1]

With some help from FRWilk and SoCal, I have been step by step going through the fuel system in my 1984.

When I first bought this car, 5 years ago, I did what any "sane" 944 buyer would do, had the belts/water pump/etc changed. One thing that was supposed to be changed was the fuel filter. Seeing as I was having a "no start" problem, I figured that going through the entire system from stem to stern was a good idea. Purchased a new DME relay from Pelican along with fuel filter.

Removing the fuel filter is no easy task. The compression fitting on the inlet end of the filter is subject to all kinds of road grime and was, to put it bluntly, not going to budge. I did discover that the front fitting that screws directly into the new filter can be removed, and this allows replacement of said filter without ruining the fuel pump to filter line. I removed the fuel pump as well, and Porsche did something clever by making one stud a 7mm and the other 8 mm so the wires cannot be transposed.

Tools needed will include tubing wrenches 19mm and 17mm, a set of 19 mm open end wrenches since the outlet hose is too large to permit a tubing wrench to pass over it, a 7mm and 8 mm nut driver and a screwdriver or two. Don't forget that the backup light wires will be in the way when loosening the "out" end of the filter. A coffee can is recommended to catch the gas in the system, and a clamp to squeeze the hose between the tank the the pump.

The fuel filter still held the marking "made in West Germany", meaning that the original was still inthe car!! I tried with the new filter blowing through it, and air passes quite readily. The old filter passes no air. Plugged.

I am still working on the sytem as time permits, and I am sure it will be a real learning experience. I intend to remove the fuel line from the rail and blow it clean, hoping the injectors are not clogged as well.

The lesson? Although I had paid for a new fuel filter, it was overlooked. Note this is NOT the shop I used until I moved "out west". That shop always did the work described, and did it well. I am sure that first shop didn't intentionally forget; it just happened.

SO, add to your interval timing belt changes a fuel filter change. It's cheap insurance since a clogged filter makes the pump work harder and that is expensive!!

Thanks again, guys......

[bigyagi]

very sound advice! the po could not tell me when the fuel filter was last changed, and so i quickly found out why! no doubt, this was a major pain in the a$$. i could not believe how tight the fittings were on. took a fair amount of wrenching, with me jammed between the rear wheels for leverage, and a 2 foot pipe on my wrench just to get it loose! however, it must have been clogged, as i did notice a marked difference in pick-up. i will certainly be changing mine with every belt change in the future.