Strange starting condition
 

86 944 N/A

This morning was an interesting ride. After filling up with gas(near empty) and driving down the road the car just died. I pulled off and tried to start it again and I could get it to fire but feels like it's only running on a couple cylinders.

If I let it sit for a minute then start it again, I can start it and it runs like normal for less than a minute or so then dies once more.

I'm thinking it's the fuel pressure regulator, but also thought it could be a clogged fuel filter (don't think it's ever been replaced).

Before I start ordering parts does anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks in advance

Bad gas.
Fuel filter.
Fuel pressure regulator.
Fuel damper.
Fuel pump.
Golf ball in the fuel tank.

Golf ball in the tank??? Funny idea but I dont think it would ever fit down the filler neck

First I would get some good fresh gas n the tank, Just dont fill it all the way incase you need to do some work.

Can you hear the fuel pump running???

I'd start with the DME relay, those all seem to go bad eventually.

Story about a golf ball in a gas tank that would roll around and plug the siphon when it was just in the right position. The driver would stop and the golf ball would roll away to a corner of the tank. Car would start and he would drive off.

The second set of contacts in the DME relay control the power to the fuel pump. The speed sensor tells the DME to close those contacts. On an early 944 you can jumper between two of the fuses and run the pump independent of the relay.

To do this right you need to put a fuel pressue gauge on the manifold and watch what it does. If the pressure stays constant then it's not the fuel pump or the regulator. Other causes could be as obsure as a bad solder joint in the DME.

Yes, the fuel pump is running. I went ahead and ordered a replacement FPR and fuel filter and I'll put them on tonight. Hopefully this will cure me, otherwise thanks for the advise on the DME...I'll check that too.

Otherwise, what's next...fuel dampener?

check for water in the tank when you replace the fuel filter. I have had this happen right after a fill up and it gave almost those exact symptoms
Rob

1) I would add here: Attach a voltmeter onto the engine temperature sensor (the one with two wires), and see if you have good voltage when the problem happens (3-4 Volts on cold engine, about 0.9V on hot, and zero if you have a problem...)
2) don't buy and replace parts as suggested by some. Unless you get lucky quickly (not likely), you'll waste a fortune on parts that could give you this symptom. Take your time and find THE problem.