1982 928 wont start unless ether used

[john bear]

my 928 has been progressively harder starting in the spring after not starting all winter. It hits on two cylinders or so but then eventually only one and will not fully start. I can have someone spray ether into the intake and eventually it will start and slowly but surely all of the cylinders will begin working and the car will start the next day rather well but this is becoming questionable lately. I have replaced the spark plugs. no change. Before I move onto sparkplug wires, I would like to check the coil but do not have the spects. My multimer reads 8.4 on both terminals (postive in the coil socket, neg on each wire attachments) I would appreciate any help. The car is origional with 36000 miles otherwise. Thank you, John

[john bear]

I forgot to say that the car runs perfectly once it is started. And does anyone have any suggestion on where to start trouble shooting. Thank you

[Danglerb]

"1982 928 wont start unless ether used" or fuel injection system is fixed. Corrected that for ya.

I suspect you have a bunch of things that are bad that have finally added up to a starting issue. The spray of ether, which I strongly advise not doing and plan to do myself later today, points the finger at a fuel issue, which could be;

Sensor or throttle switch, giving wrong info to brain so fuel command is wrong.
Brain is bad, unlikely.
Wiring has a short or poor ground in the injector circuit.
Sticky injectors.
Does this model have a cold start injector?

Bad fuel pressure, leaky regulator, pump issue (unlikely unless its a hard but eventual cold start).

Vacuum leak.

Runs perfect immediately immediately, or after a few seconds like 15 or 30?

[dcrasta]

I would think maladjusted throttle plate (Too open), vacuum leaks, or bad sensor's could be your problem. Restart when hot ok ?

[19psi]

It's an 82 so you have a cold start injector. It may be bad, plugged or the thermoswitch at the front of the engine which controls it is bad.

[924CarreraGTP]

928s don't like to sit for very long. I think these boys have given you a pretty good start on where to start looking. I try to start my cars once a month or so even in the winter. I would try some fuel injection cleaner once the car is running. It might help. I hardly ever fill one of my cars up with gas, because when I drive them, I put some fresh gas in them to go with the old gas and it keeps them running a little cleaner.

[1982_928]

Pour some seafoam in the tank. This Obama gas turns to **** and clogs everything solid. Seafoam eats it away. Pour some in the tank and run it for a few minutes to get it in everything, and let it soak for a day or so.

924, some reason my 928 wouldnt crank with the key, so my car hadn't been started since before christmas.Found out i had disconnected some wires, turned the key, and it turned over 5 times and busted off. They aren't terrible about sitting.

[Maleficio]

Fuel filter is clogged.

[19psi]

Originally Posted by Maleficio

Fuel filter is clogged.

Why would a clogged filter only effect starting? The OP didn't give enough information, but I'm assuming the car runs fine after starting. If a filter is partially clogged, an engine will still start and idle fine but puke under heavy throttle.

[Maleficio]

Originally Posted by 19psi

Why would a clogged filter only effect starting? The OP didn't give enough information, but I'm assuming the car runs fine after starting. If a filter is partially clogged, an engine will still start and idle fine but puke under heavy throttle.

Just speaking from things I've witnessed.

[Danglerb]

My two experiences with a clogged filter were started fine, ran fine, except puked under load. Pretty amusing story that will require alcohol before I ever tell it.

[Maleficio]

One time a coworker's car wouldn't start. I taught him how to start the engine with the clutch on a hill. Rolling, he popped the clutch several times, and finally it lit off and ran fine. I told him to have his fuel filter replaced, he did, problem solved.

[924CarreraGTP]

I've never replaced a fuel filter on my 928s. I run Berryman's Chemtool through the injection system. It cleans it up pretty well and if you've ever dropped a carburetor in some Berryman's Chemdip, you will know that it will make a dirty old stained carb look brand spanking new. It will also take paint off of your car, and probably melt your plastic fuel tank. So use it very sparingly. Only a splash for every full tank. If you ever do pull the fuel filter after using Berrymans, don't let the old fuel out of the filter get on your skin because it will chemically burn you good.