Car was running fine this morning. Went to the mall, and, well, I'm stuck there. Restarted the car and it began to shake in a strange way. Accelerated a little and it was hard to get the RPMs up. Eventually died. Restarted; RPM would not get up over 1K. Waited a while. Could get RPM to about 4K, but not much more...car eventually dies. The engine is usually very strong. Replaced DME relay last year. What the heck is going on. Please help!! If there is anyone in Bethesda, MD who can meet up with me to help me get out of there, I'd appreciate it. Any other advice would be extremely helpful. I don't want to tow it to the dealer if I can fix this problem on the spot or nearby. Thank you. Please help. My car is sitting there. Thanks.

 

Did you check to see if someone stuffed a tater in your tailpipe? It sure sounds like backpressure or maybe water in the gas.

 

I hope you don't tow it to THE DEALER if you have to TOW IT HOME! I think it sounds like bad fuel also, but it could b the rotor or distributor cap? Was it raining or what is the weather like? If it is wet try drying it off, or spraying some WD40 on the rotor.
My guess is still the bad gas though.
Shawn

 

Update: Went back there; checked tailpipe, clear. It did not rain today and nothing seems wet. Started the car again. It struggled to get to 1000 RPM and then died. The car ran perfectly today and was only parked for a few hours. IF there is someone in the area who can help me I'd appreciate it. Otherwise, if anyone might have an idea what I should do, please help. Thanks again.

 

No spark, no fuel or no air. Simple as that 95% of the time.

 

After trying to start it, smell the exhaust for fuel. If it stinks of gas, it's no spark or no air flow. If there is no strong gas smell, your problem is clogged exhaust or no fuel getting in.

That is about the extent of my knowledge. Did you leave the oil filler cap off by chance? I have heard of problems with that as well.

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Thanks for the help so far. As I said, it starts, but the engine will not rev properly. Could this be a DME problem or another failed relay? The fuel pump? I've never heard of these components spontaneously failing. You would think that you'd notice when they start to go. But if it's something like the DME relay, I'd hate to take it to a shop, where they'll charge me $200 for a 10 minute job. Where exactly is that damn thing and how do I replace it? This is frustrating.

 

I would say ANY part can spontaniously stop working. What year is the car? Can you check to see if you are getting spark at the cylindrs when it is running? Also can you smell fuel or do you know that the fuel is getting there? If it is CIS take off your air filter inside on the tp there is a metal **** sticking down press it up, does it come down slowly or rather quickly?

Do you have any Porsche friends in the area? Worst case you can swap a few parts to see what is wrong?

Shawn

 

Fassi, How old is your fuel filter? I would check that too. Also, all fuses related to the igniton system for your car. Good luck!! I will say that problems like this are usually something simple..

James

 

I sincerely appreciate all your help guys. The problem is solved. As you said, James, it was simple. It was pretty ridiculous, actually. The answer came to me this morning and my suspicion proved correct. What was it? Nothing more than a malfunctioning fuel guage. Yes, my friends, I was OUT OF GAS (guage showed a quarter tank left) The problem was cured by means of an empty gallon-sized water bottle and a quick run to Exxon. I hope I haven't damaged anything. Thanks again for all the help. I shouldn't have doubted the 911.

 

Fassi glad it was smething simple and it is now "fixed"- Good part of that is I bet it doesn't happen again. You probably have fixed that problem for good

Shawn

 

Fassi, The only thing I would recommend is definitely change your fuel filter now!! Since you sucked your tank dry there is a possibility that your fuel filter got some of the dregs from the bottom of the tank. Changing it eliminates the chance of anything getting into your fuel injection system.

Cheers, James

 

Thanks, James. Will do ASAP. Thanks again to the rest of you guys!

 

Thank God you didn't have it towed to the mechanic. Can you imagine the smirk on his face when he would have told you that he filled up the gas tank for you? You would have never been able to show your face at that shop again.

Glad you hear that you are up and running

 

You said it, Chris! But somehow I doubt the mechanic would have "diagnosed" such a simple problem. I'd probably be looking at a nice little bill, not to mention the smirk.