1976 911S – from garage find to on the road

[NeedSpace]

Originally Posted by timmy2

It must be warming up on the other side of the country, Needspace is back!

Drove mine to work today, 65 degrees and sunny on the way home. Took the winter hard top off when leaving work, took the long way home, and when I got home I installed the soft top for tomorrow and every day until the end of October when rainy season starts again...

What is this stuck on the side of the road stuff you're talking about?
Tell the wife you are done with indoor projects and spend the next 3 weeks in the garage working on all of the accumulated projects, getting it in tip top shape, and throw away the phone !

I know, have to finish that darn basement!

[NeedSpace]

I have driven her a few times so far this season. In general, she is running better than ever. Still have the oil leak (and the new parts laying around to install them), however, as mentioned before, the basement gets first dibs.

That said, I have noticed my car has been smelling very strongly of gas. More so than the usual "just when I fill up" issue. I'll be doing some investigative work. I remember looking this up a while ago.

Here are the symptoms. Strong gas smell in interior of car, but really, only once the car is moving. Tank is 75% full. I think it is happening whether windows are open are closed. Heat vents are closed. No gassy smell in the engine compartment, strong smell in frunk, very strong smell in front drivers wheel well, no smell in passenger front wheel well. Also, while I haven't jacked her up yet, I see NO wet stains under the car...I'll check further to make sure, but I suspect that isn't the problem. I think there is a problem with my filler...although, this doesn't explain why now with 50 miles on the odometer, I still smell it. I already replaced the cork under in the gas cap.

Unfortunately, the smell is so strong it is now giving me a headache, so this problem gets the priority over all others...maybe even the basement.

[NeedSpace]

So my research has found 2 potential culprits.
1) When I went out to my car 3 hours later, the wheel well no longer smelled of fuel, however, I took a pic of the inside of the lower fuel fill. Looks pretty nasty in there. No fluid marks, but it may have evaporated. Needless to say, this doesn't look like it has been touched since Ferdinand was around. I think I may have these hoses laying around since my earlier work.



2) I opened the frunk and there was a very strong distinct smell of gas immediately. I smelled around and found that the sending unit had quite a potent smell there. So I will be replacing the cork in there. I don't think I replaced it when I did my early work on it. I have some cork laying around so I'll tend to it right away. I'll probably order one from Pelican as well next time I do another order.

[blucille]

I have a spare if you want to borrow it and replace mine next time you order.

[kens_74_911s]

Does that vary with the amount of fuel ? Could be fuel sloshing around and up filler neck if its full, and the vent is not routed to a canister. I have a few 944 charcoal canisters if you find you need to go that way.


K

[NeedSpace]

Originally Posted by kens_74_911s

Does that vary with the amount of fuel ? Could be fuel sloshing around and up filler neck if its full, and the vent is not routed to a canister.

K

Hmm, Ken, you have an interesting point there. My expansion tank in the front fender looks to be in good condition. But I didn't replace those hoses and perhaps they are holding fuel and dry rotted thus creating the smell. It would explain the strong smell in the wheel well.






I wonder how difficult it will be to get to the filler neck from underneath. I wonder if I'll need to remove the fender? Anyone know?

[kens_74_911s]

Another area to check: look under and around the lower perimeter and bottom edges of the tank after your drive. I have seen where interior rust pinholes in the tank can let some gas weep through when it sloshes or tank is filled to volume or at the 1/2 way split seam in the tank. The weeping sometimes just soaks the undercoating and tank and the foam gasket under the tank but does not drip. Gives off the gas smell then dries out with no evidence. If it gets bad enough it will drip then evaporate so need to catch it after the drive. Sometimes if it drips after the drive it may leave a dried tar spot as some undercoating may have been diluted away. You could park it over a clean piece of cardboard to help spot this.
If above is true you may be in the need of an interior tank seal product or replacement tank.
K

[NeedSpace]

It was an absolutely perfect day. So I thought I would make it that much better.



I decided to work on my fuel smell problem, i found the source, not sure yet if it fixed the problem yet. At least so far so good after my 10 mile drive.

First, I replaced this nasty hose. The larger one appear to be in good condition. The smaller one, looks original with the car. I found a fairly large split in it.



The new one went in great. I have a nice supply of fuel lines and other hoses now. I didn't have a grommet, but I just purchased one that I'll put in tomorrow.



I also replaced the hose on top of the gas tank. It was a little cracked. It smelled of fuel. Not sure if that added to the smell but it couldn't hurt.



Took it for a test drive, an while better, still I was smelling gas. I decided to look under the car...Sure enough, I had a very small drip out of the fuel pump. Looks like I put a compression washer in when I wasn't supposed to. It was misshapen. You might be able to see that here. It is the copper washer closest to the fuel pump.



Removed the compression washer and no leak. Put it back together, and we are back in business. I am hoping next time I fill up, I won't get the smell then either.



BTW, if your wife (or you) do yoga, use an old yoga mat for working under the car. It is perfect.

[Flojo]

Yoga mat, indeed.
I use one for camping. Good too ;-)

[timmy2]

Good find on the fuel pump washer. I hope it solves the fumes and more importantly any leaks!

[NeedSpace]

Yes, pretty happy about it. Drove a little more with no smell. Now, however, my car is running LEAN. No big whoop, I'll get to it, just wasnt expecting that to change.

[NeedSpace]

On my way home, tweaked the mixture. Now I am right as rain again. Interesting, at first I misinterpreted my gauge and thought it was running rich, but then thought that didn't make sense. I started to lean it and it got worse. Then I rethunk it and I was back on track.

No more gas smell, yeah!

[Flojo]

I wonder... did you ever have the engine hoocked up by a pro to mesure the CO/IC and make him do the right fuelpressure and exhaust gas analysis?

maybe I was mising that, but to my memory I only remember you doing many average "hunts" and trouble shootings.

If I where you I'd like to know once and for sure how its running on a complete an thorough regulation.

I have a BOSCH-pro near by and he allways does the finetuning for me to sum up the tackle.

here's my 84 230ce with k-jet hooked up

[NeedSpace]

Flojoy,

Funny, I drove my car to work today and I fiddled with the mixture again. Running pretty good. Idling nicely at 1000 rpm at around 13, fairly good power until about 3000 then I feel a very slight hesitation. At constant speed around 2500 rpm, I am running at around 14.76 14.8.

To your point, on my drive I was thinking that I should bring it to someone to evaluate the specs. Perhaps after I replace some of those seals I'll bring it in.

BTW, I love the 84 CE Merc, beautiful car. I had an 83 300TD wagon that I loved...still miss that car.

[NeedSpace]

I was reading up on the rock arm shaft seals. I was hoping there was a possibility of doing this while in the car. After reading this, I think there is just no chance...Rats.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/585416-rsr-seals-rocker-arm-shaft-installation.html

This was pretty helpful as well.

[NeedSpace]

This stinks. We are relocating my office at work and I am working from home for a few weeks. I haven't driven in 3 days...I am climbing the walls. I think I'll go out on a completely unnecessary coffee run into NY!

[Tremelune]

I worked from home for months once upon a time. It got to the point where I would wake up, do my morning routine, then literally walk out the door, around the block, and back in the door. Sometimes you just need a divide.

When you eliminate the commute, distant lunches become a real possibility.

[blucille]

I'm on the road today, but I'll be in my home office friday, and monday thru wednesday next week, if you need a lunch-break drive....7 lakes drive is a great 1-hour run

[NeedSpace]

Originally Posted by sonett43

I'm on the road today, but I'll be in my home office friday, and monday thru wednesday next week, if you need a lunch-break drive....7 lakes drive is a great 1-hour run

Hmm, now you are talking!

[NeedSpace]

Originally Posted by Tremelune

I worked from home for months once upon a time. It got to the point where I would wake up, do my morning routine, then literally walk out the door, around the block, and back in the door. Sometimes you just need a divide.

When you eliminate the commute, distant lunches become a real possibility.

i completely understand. last 2 days ive gone for a run. tonite, i stepped it up and took out the porsche. 30 miles later im a new man!