Stranded

[LucaScali]

So yesterday I got my car back from a "reputable shop" after a reseal of the oil pump. He also repositioned the heat shield and redirected a line to create space. It was their second attempt to get at the leak after originally assuming the cause was a loose fitting (admittedly the fitting may have been loose, but there were other obvious leaks from around the pump housing). That was supposedly it. It still smoked a lot last night, but that was chalked up to residual oil and it does seem to be dissipating. Otherwise car was running perfectly when they got it. So far so good.

Driving home and again last night, I notice some odd hesitation and minor bucking at low rpm, and that it was running hotter than usual. Thought it might be in my head and didn't want to go anothor round with the shop, so didn't mention it.

Next day (today/just now), car sputters and dies. Now I'm sitting in a parking lot after a kindly push from a cop. Had no electrical or fuel problems whatever when I took it in. Haven't for years. I do love "reputable shops " Seems like almost everytime I take my car in for some minor issue, life gets very interesting. Could be an epic coincidence, of course.

Anyway, the fuel pump relays seem tight and swapping one out did nothing. The ignition box whines normally. The #6 fuse looks good. Car turns over but dies immediately. Anything else I can look at before I have to tow it home? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks and excuse any typos. Typing on the phone is a drag.

[LucaScali]

Now it won't turn over at all...

[mtb001]

what year car?

[LucaScali]

Late 80s 930

[75 911s]

Get it towed to your house. At that point you will put it on a battery charger.

Once the battery is charged begin trouble shooting fuel or spark. Once you've narrowed it down, you can get more help here.

It sounds like you didn't like that shop. I might call and ask for a partial refund citing your 100$ tow you are about to pay for.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by 75 911s

Get it towed to your house. At that point you will put it on a battery charger...

+1, do not have it tow to the shop.

[Joe Bob]

Where in So CA are you?

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by mtb001

what year car?

Year of the car/model (Late 80's/930) should be in your signature block and your location in your profile.

Its a very small world we live in and their might be some very knowledable Pelican very close to you.

[DRACO A5OG]

Sounds like loss of voltage. due to bad ground or dead alternator.

You able to drive with battery only but for a very short period before it drains.

I bet wrench forgot to tighten the ground.

[Bob Kontak]

Check the two fuel pump fuses. Blowing one is not an abby normal problem. You will be dead in the water.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Check the two fuel pump fuses. Blowing one is not an abby normal problem. You will be dead in the water.

Bro Bob, unless modified, there is only one fuse that is shared by both fuel pumps - a ridiculous Porsche design that has been the cause of much grief for many an owner. Not to mention that he said he already checked it!

PS - I ASSume that the OP is talking about the turbocharger's scavenge pump since resealing the engine oil pump would be a tremendously expensive job.

PSS - what year was that pic taken of you?!?!?!

[Ronnie's.930]

For the OP - the scavenge pump is in the vicinity of the overboost switch (located on the back, left of the secondary intake manifold), so maybe the wire to it got knocked off. If so, and the connector is not grounded against anything, the engine would crank and not fire since the fuel pump circuit would no longer be complete (switch provides ground).

[donporfi]

They moved some hoses, probably you have a vacuum leak.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Not to mention that he said he already checked it!

I see he checked fuse #6. Apologies.

[LucaScali]

Thanks very much for all the responses and suggestions, guys. It was finally towed. That night I was able to start the car and keep it alive as long as I kept on the gas. When I let off it died and wouldn't restart, so I called it a night.

24hrs later, it started and ran like a top at variable engine speed for over half an hour and now starts, idles, and runs without a hiccup; even at temps around the second tick. I haven't been able to replicate the fault since.

When I picked I the car I was told that they had run the engine at elevated rpm for over half an hour to ensure they got the leak. Thought the ignition box may have been cooked, but at this point it seems perfectly fine. I still suspect the box, but so much for my plan to test with a working unit.