'87 Carrera - Sputtering in rain.
10-16-2002, 09:24 PM
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Location: Valley Forge, Pa.
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'87 Carrera - Sputtering in rain.
My '87 Carrera which has run pur-fectly for the last 10,000 miles sputtered (a technical term) after running about 3 hours in a light drizzle (on the way to a DE event). The first item was a shaking at about 2,000 RPMs (like bucking). Then the accelleration (sp?) was sporatic. After the car sat for four hours (during happy hour) and after the rain, the car again sputtered but then was alright. The same thing happened the next morning on the way to the track. The car was fine at the track for both day and all the way home. While all seems well, does anyone have an indication what might have happened? Thank you. Dan
10-16-2002, 09:32 PM
#2
What condition are your spark plug wires,distributor cap and rotor?My guess is that they might be starting to breakdown.A fairly easy way to check the wires is get a empty spray bottle,fill with water,and at night start the car in a dark area,start misting the wires and dist. cap with water,if you start to see a light show there is your problem.Hope that helps. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
10-16-2002, 10:07 PM
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Dan:
If the problem continues when the engine is dry, try disconnecting the O2 sensor and then driving it until normal engine temp is reached. The symptoms dicribed could be (not an absolute) an O2 sensor going bad.
Good luck.
If the problem continues when the engine is dry, try disconnecting the O2 sensor and then driving it until normal engine temp is reached. The symptoms dicribed could be (not an absolute) an O2 sensor going bad.
Good luck.
10-17-2002, 02:03 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
If your has at least 60,000 miles, it's time to replace the 02 sensor (if it's never been replaced before). That would be a good place to start. Also, if you haven't replaced your DME relay yet, it's probably time. Even though the DME likely isn't the culprit here, it's bound to fail sooner or later (sooner, if your car has any mileage on it), and it's not an expensive or difficult job.
10-17-2002, 04:32 PM
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I a voting cap and rotor. My 80 sometimes has trouble in the rain because the cap and rotor got a squirt of water. When yours is dry you never have the problem right?
10-18-2002, 03:53 PM
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First stop: Cap, Rotor and Wires.
The day I bought my '85 it was raining and she ran perfectly all the way home from the seller's house. She had never been outside a garage overnight in its lifetime and had not been driven in rain for over 2 years. Good for me.. but not for the 911 - Me, not having a garage and all. So, she sat outside for the first time in a long while in a downpour which lasted all night. The next morning, she started fine and warmed fine, but about 1/2 mile from home started running like she was hitting on 2 cyclinders. Took me almost 45 mins to drive that 1/2 mile back home - she just would not run! After I finally got her started and kept her idling at 2k rpm for about 10 mins, she dried out and run fine again. So, the first drive in my new baby was to the shop. After a new cap, rotor and wires - she has not had a problem in wet conditions since. The wires were wholly beat (green corroded inside), cap and rotor looked ok, but went just to be sure.
So, anyway - check these first. Cheap and easy fixes.
Good luck!
-Vex
The day I bought my '85 it was raining and she ran perfectly all the way home from the seller's house. She had never been outside a garage overnight in its lifetime and had not been driven in rain for over 2 years. Good for me.. but not for the 911 - Me, not having a garage and all. So, she sat outside for the first time in a long while in a downpour which lasted all night. The next morning, she started fine and warmed fine, but about 1/2 mile from home started running like she was hitting on 2 cyclinders. Took me almost 45 mins to drive that 1/2 mile back home - she just would not run! After I finally got her started and kept her idling at 2k rpm for about 10 mins, she dried out and run fine again. So, the first drive in my new baby was to the shop. After a new cap, rotor and wires - she has not had a problem in wet conditions since. The wires were wholly beat (green corroded inside), cap and rotor looked ok, but went just to be sure.
So, anyway - check these first. Cheap and easy fixes.
Good luck!
-Vex
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10-18-2002, 05:22 PM
#8
Instructor
If the problem is only in the wet than I'd go w/ the cap/rotor/wires but if it happens in the dry too then change the DME relay- (List is $42.00 but if you haggle you can get it for about $30-35) that was my problem and I had similar symptoms - intermittent but not related to the weather conditions.
Another possibility (a suggestion I received from the list) was a bad head temperature sensor- (over # 3 cylinder) a more difficult repair.
BTW- you dont need to remove the driver's seat to change the DME relay- its a very easy job w/ a deep 10mm socket. I did mine in the drizzle and dark in the driveway of the renatal house in the Poconos on Saturday nite before the DE event on Sunday 10/13 - a 10 min. job including clean up!
good luck,
Dan
Another possibility (a suggestion I received from the list) was a bad head temperature sensor- (over # 3 cylinder) a more difficult repair.
BTW- you dont need to remove the driver's seat to change the DME relay- its a very easy job w/ a deep 10mm socket. I did mine in the drizzle and dark in the driveway of the renatal house in the Poconos on Saturday nite before the DE event on Sunday 10/13 - a 10 min. job including clean up!
good luck,
Dan
