Something's Missing -- I think. Help.
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Westchester County, NY
Something's Missing -- I think. Help.
I have an 87 Carrera with 51K miles. I’ve had it since Jan of this year and it’s been pretty much problem free --- with one exception. During the cold spell in January (10 degrees or clolder in NY), I had a freaky problem where the car would start just fine and then start sputtering and eventually stall after bucking side to side like a bronco.
I don’t know technically what was going on, but it felt like the car was running on 5 or fewer cylinders. Maybe it was bad gas or water in the line. Whatever the problem was, the mechanic couldn’t replicate – and the car needed the (at that time) 45K service. Problem went away and hasn’t resurfaced. Oh, this problem started when the car had 1/3 of a tank or less of gas.
Ran the car just fine all weekend as I went to the snowed-out Drivers Ed event at LimeRock.
Yesterday, I washed my car in the driveway and wanted to roll it into the garage instead of starting it to move it the final 10 feet into the garage. Couldn’t quite roll it into the garage. So, I started the car and drove it in. No problems. This morning, about 40 in NY, enclosed garage – car started just fine. As I was running it, I got that same 5 cylinders feeling – with a raspy exhaust note. Ugh. Car felt significantly underpowered – like it was ‘missing.’
Gas level is the same -- about 1/3 of a tank -- Super 93 Octane. I'll fill up tonight, not sure if this has anything to do with it.
Any ideas?
Mark
I don’t know technically what was going on, but it felt like the car was running on 5 or fewer cylinders. Maybe it was bad gas or water in the line. Whatever the problem was, the mechanic couldn’t replicate – and the car needed the (at that time) 45K service. Problem went away and hasn’t resurfaced. Oh, this problem started when the car had 1/3 of a tank or less of gas.
Ran the car just fine all weekend as I went to the snowed-out Drivers Ed event at LimeRock.
Yesterday, I washed my car in the driveway and wanted to roll it into the garage instead of starting it to move it the final 10 feet into the garage. Couldn’t quite roll it into the garage. So, I started the car and drove it in. No problems. This morning, about 40 in NY, enclosed garage – car started just fine. As I was running it, I got that same 5 cylinders feeling – with a raspy exhaust note. Ugh. Car felt significantly underpowered – like it was ‘missing.’
Gas level is the same -- about 1/3 of a tank -- Super 93 Octane. I'll fill up tonight, not sure if this has anything to do with it.
Any ideas?
Mark
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From: Bakersfield, CA, for now...
First, washing the car & putting it away is not good for the car! Always drive it at least a couple of miles to get the brakes dry, water out of trim, etc. There is a possibility that you have a bad distributor cap, overnight condensation gathered causing a miss-fire. However, your symptom description is just unusual enough that you might have a sensor (head temp, etc.) failing. They are difficult to diagnose, and the problem is almost impossible to replicate in a shop environment. Did your tech replace the distributor cap & rotor at the 45K service?
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From: PA
I would start by looking at yoour rotor and distributor cap for cracks. Run the car at night and look for arking from the plug wires. Water on same components from washing makes me suggest you start there.
reggards,
Steve
reggards,
Steve
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From: Westchester County, NY
point taken on the put it away dry. BUt -- this was the 15 minute, "I was away all weekend, you watch the kids while I wash the dirt off my car -- kind of wash." I was lucky to get that.
About the distributor cap -- not sure if that is part of the 45k service -- but I don't think so.
I thought about the temp sensor, but it was 20 - 25degrees over the weekend and I didnt' have any problems...
I'm hoping that a dry day outside will make these demons go away.
mark
About the distributor cap -- not sure if that is part of the 45k service -- but I don't think so.
I thought about the temp sensor, but it was 20 - 25degrees over the weekend and I didnt' have any problems...
I'm hoping that a dry day outside will make these demons go away.
mark
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From: Roswell, GA
I had the same "kind" of problem on my '85 944 back in college. It would only happen on cold days before my car warmed up.
The problem for me was fixed by replacing the distributor cap and rotor.
This is an easy replacement. Pick up the two parts from the store and do it when you get home. 15 min and you can see if that was the problem. If not save the parts for the next time that you need them.
The problem for me was fixed by replacing the distributor cap and rotor.
This is an easy replacement. Pick up the two parts from the store and do it when you get home. 15 min and you can see if that was the problem. If not save the parts for the next time that you need them.
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From: PA
I'm hoping that a dry day outside will make these demons go away.
mark
mark
regards,
Steve
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Topanga Canyon, CA
Another idea, and I only bring this up because it seems to strike when you have less than 1/3 tank of gas, if your gas tank has rusted, as the fuel level goes down, the tiny rust particles collect around the fuel line connection in the gas tank and begin to cut the fuel flow. It's a common malady on early 911's, not common with your year, but you never know...
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From: Indy
If it is related to moisture, some Carreras will accumulate moisture in the distributor cap. This will cause a misfire if there is enough of it. My fathers 88 had this exact same problem when it was very humid out, and after the car was washed. I put some silicone greese around the base of the distributor cap where it meets the distributor body. It has since solved the problem. That might not be your problem, but it's an easy thing to try.
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Westchester County, NY
Thanks everyone --
As I hoped, the problem cleared up when I started the car at the end of the day. Strange.
The distributor cap/Rotor are probably orginal to the car, as they weren't touched at the 45k. If it's really a 15 min exercise, I might try to tackle it myself. Is it really?
Very interesting about the rust in the gas tank. BAsed on the oil changes, this car did sit quite a bit over the past few years. Is there anyway to check for rust in the tank without pulling it?
--- mark
As I hoped, the problem cleared up when I started the car at the end of the day. Strange.
The distributor cap/Rotor are probably orginal to the car, as they weren't touched at the 45k. If it's really a 15 min exercise, I might try to tackle it myself. Is it really?
Very interesting about the rust in the gas tank. BAsed on the oil changes, this car did sit quite a bit over the past few years. Is there anyway to check for rust in the tank without pulling it?
--- mark
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From: Bakersfield, CA, for now...
Mark: Yes. Pull back the trunk carpet to expose the top of the gas tank. Near the large inlet tube (that comes from the fuel filler area) on the flat top of the tank a few inches forward of the brake booster you will find a wire harness that leads to a connection point under a small metal cover. Remove the (3) nuts for that cover, and take the cover off. Pull straight up on the plastic end of the harness and set the wire connector to the side. Remove the remaing (2) nuts (you're removing the sending unit for the gas guage) and pull up on the circular piece that's about 2" in diameter. Do this job with the fuel level as low as possible, no more than a quarter tank, and pull up the sending unit slowly. It will be a silver tube that's about 10 or 11 inches long, and it will retain and then leak a small amount of fuel. (Before you do this job buy a replacement gasket for the sending unit). Set aside the sender and look directly into the tank through its hole. At the bottom center you will see a finger-shaped screen, it will be clean, or covered with rust flakes/debris. If it's clean put the car back together. If there's a substantial amount of crud go find your wallet! Good luck with it...
