pucwreck

I just acquired an 1988 911 Carrera Targa with 45K mileage. It's been rotting in my uncles garage so I decided to tow it and try to fix it. Last time it was running was a little over a year ago. My uncle crashed it on the freeway and had some bodywork done. Also the fuel lines were changed over a year ago. My friend is a mechanic for a Porsche dealer for 2 years so he's been trying to get it running again. So far he replaced the fuel pump. It turns but still doesn't start. It seems to start with starting fluid but now he's lost. Any suggestions? He said he might check the fuel injection but I have no clue what to do next. Trying to decide if I should have him keep working at it or just take it to a local mechanic shop recommended by a Porsche Club.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

dshepp806

DME relay?

Welcome aboard!

Best,

Doyle

ivangene

this is the same as us trying to give you a haircut over the phone... a little tough

but the reason it wont start is either fuel or spark. You have to start checking each system from the begining to the end. Do you have a Bentley manual? get one!

and where are the pics

Welcome to RL
what island are you on

theiceman

To be honest if your friend is a mechanic at a porsche shop and is already lost after just replacing the fuel pump get a new mechanic . This guy sounds like a parts swapper. I would imagine you do have spark as it starts with lighter fluid .

have you tried changing the gas ? . checking the filter , checking fuel prrssures ? tested the idle valve, MAF DME or DME relay ? have you checked the CHT sensor ? you would be better off getting a Bentley for this car and a good set of tools and going at it yourself.

ivangene

YUP - what he said ^^^ about that mechanic - the Bentley is very "step by step" from what I have read so far....I am NOT good with electrical things and even I could follow it (though I still have not traced my troubles down but know what the next step is, I need a tool... looking for it)

911Dave

Stuck injectors are highly indicated, and very common when one of these cars sit for a long period. I recently had exactly the same problem after my car sat for a year. Take a small hammer or big screwdriver, and give each injector a few taps to unstick them. Fill the tank with fresh gas and use a bottle of Techron.

And I agree your mechanic friend is not suitable for working on cars without OBD. All today's dealer mechanics can do is examine a computer readout and then change out the part that the computer says is faulty.

theiceman

Actually Dave has a fantasic point. On my SC I can actually pull the injector out , turn the engine over and see if it is spraying. Not sure if you can do that on DME cars but if you could it would give you an answer right away ..

dshepp806

You can pull them on my 89, to look at spray pattern and to do volume testing.

theiceman

Well I think that has to be the next step . pull ALL the injectors and put them ina containers and see if they spray .. of course I would kill any ignition sources.. make sure you are getting good spray patterns .. or even gas for that matter ..

pucwreck

Wow thanks for all the replies. Got much work to do but can't wait to drive it. My friend works at the Porsche dealer all week so only time he has is sundays. I'll suggest what you all told me and see what he says. Will post pics soon. Aloha!

theiceman

...and don't forget the pics .....

pucwreck

Here are some pics. I'm embarrassed to ask but what is the difference between the 911 carrera targa SC and regular 911 carrera targa? Just bought Bentley book but it says for 911 SC...Hope I bought the right book.

ivangene

88' is not an SC

theiceman

well unfortunately you bought the wrong book as Ed pointed out .

Don't be embarrased to ask as we are here to help .. after we have completely hazed you of course

The SC ( Super Carrera ) was 78-83 and used a CIS based engine ( continuous fuel injection ) . The Carrera came later ( 84-89 ) and is not super at all . it is just a plane old Carrera ..

Just kiding of course as it has a vastly superior engine with a 3.2 litre and a 1st generation computer ( DME ). Yours will have the same gearbox ( 915) as the SCs. There are a few more differences in the options but the biggest diff is definitely the motor so you need the correct Bentley .

Just remember DO NOT be eager to add oil until you know what you're doing , everyone seams to make this mistake. The oil should be checked with the car fully warmed up running , and on level ground. The rest will come in time .

Welcome aboard and thanks for the pics.

ivangene

88' Carrera - G50 tranny