First post, long and windy
03-10-2002, 07:41 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
First post, long and windy
While on the way to a very important meeting, (isnt that always how these stories start?) I came to a stop sign, where the engine sputtered and stopped dead. I figured I had let the RPM's drop to low coming to the stop, and had stalled the engine.
The engine turned over just fine, but no ignition was occuring. After about 45 seconds of turning the engine over, I started thinking those horrible Porsche thoughts, " Crap, my DME is dead, its gonna cost my other arm and leg"
I got a friend to help me push it back to my house, where I started troubleshooting. I started looking for spark, and when I failed to find any, I started pulling pieces off, looking for visible damage. Eventually I pulled the rotor cap off, the points looked ok. I then slid the rotor off, checking it for wear.
At this point, the light went on. I realized that I had just slid the rotor off, without removing any type of screw from the shaft. No screw=no rotation=no sparks. Homer smart!
But after I got it restarted, I noticed that whenever I pressed the gas pedal, the RPM's died. Anything over 1800-2000 RPMs and it was like the fuel was being cut. With the help of another 944 forum, I forget which unfortunately, I track this fault to the Throttle Position Sensor. Which you can just unplug, and your car will run, although you lose most of your boost, and have to adjust the idle to compensate for over-rich conditions. Very handy knowledge if your TPS goes out in the middle of the desert.
Also, I would love to ask some of the old hands a few Turbo related questions.
I have an 86 Turbo, Alpine White, 83k, never damaged, but not loved properly by PO. I have babied her, but due to lack of local, trustworthy shop I have not addressed some of the things I hope to after my impending move to Phoenix.
When I boost over 1.4-1.5 bar, I see a varying amount of whitish smoke from the exhaust. Is this a normal occurance? Sometimes its just a faint bit, sometimes its pretty noticable. I dont push the car hard very often, no red light racing for me. I do however live in the desert, where I can go out into BFE and go fast. The car runs beautifully at 145-150, I once blew a tire as I was going up through 140, a hole the size of my fist in the sidewall of the right rear, the wobble was so controlable I couldnt tell what had happened at first. I love this car.
I also need to find a source for cheap belt tensioners, the ones that tension the A/C and power steering pumps. Mine are both gone. As in gone from the car completley. I have jury rigged the pumps so that the belts dont squeal and everything works, but its just not right.
I have enjoyed this forum since I found it, and look forward to reading more in the future. I really enjoy reading about other Porsches.
The engine turned over just fine, but no ignition was occuring. After about 45 seconds of turning the engine over, I started thinking those horrible Porsche thoughts, " Crap, my DME is dead, its gonna cost my other arm and leg"
I got a friend to help me push it back to my house, where I started troubleshooting. I started looking for spark, and when I failed to find any, I started pulling pieces off, looking for visible damage. Eventually I pulled the rotor cap off, the points looked ok. I then slid the rotor off, checking it for wear.
At this point, the light went on. I realized that I had just slid the rotor off, without removing any type of screw from the shaft. No screw=no rotation=no sparks. Homer smart!
But after I got it restarted, I noticed that whenever I pressed the gas pedal, the RPM's died. Anything over 1800-2000 RPMs and it was like the fuel was being cut. With the help of another 944 forum, I forget which unfortunately, I track this fault to the Throttle Position Sensor. Which you can just unplug, and your car will run, although you lose most of your boost, and have to adjust the idle to compensate for over-rich conditions. Very handy knowledge if your TPS goes out in the middle of the desert.
Also, I would love to ask some of the old hands a few Turbo related questions.
I have an 86 Turbo, Alpine White, 83k, never damaged, but not loved properly by PO. I have babied her, but due to lack of local, trustworthy shop I have not addressed some of the things I hope to after my impending move to Phoenix.
When I boost over 1.4-1.5 bar, I see a varying amount of whitish smoke from the exhaust. Is this a normal occurance? Sometimes its just a faint bit, sometimes its pretty noticable. I dont push the car hard very often, no red light racing for me. I do however live in the desert, where I can go out into BFE and go fast. The car runs beautifully at 145-150, I once blew a tire as I was going up through 140, a hole the size of my fist in the sidewall of the right rear, the wobble was so controlable I couldnt tell what had happened at first. I love this car.
I also need to find a source for cheap belt tensioners, the ones that tension the A/C and power steering pumps. Mine are both gone. As in gone from the car completley. I have jury rigged the pumps so that the belts dont squeal and everything works, but its just not right.
I have enjoyed this forum since I found it, and look forward to reading more in the future. I really enjoy reading about other Porsches.
03-10-2002, 08:06 PM
#3
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Welcome, welcome. I am sure you will grow to love this board. There are some of the most knowledgeable 944 fans out there that hang here.
For parts, like the tensioners, go to <a href="http://paragon-products.com" target="_blank">Paragon Products</a> If it is not on the site, call or e-mail them. They have access to almost everything on your car, and have great prices and service.
For the smoke... could be a little blow by from the turbo. Are you needing to add oil or coolant to it on a regular basis? How long has it done this?
Let us know, and we can help out.
Again.. welcome!
For parts, like the tensioners, go to <a href="http://paragon-products.com" target="_blank">Paragon Products</a> If it is not on the site, call or e-mail them. They have access to almost everything on your car, and have great prices and service.
For the smoke... could be a little blow by from the turbo. Are you needing to add oil or coolant to it on a regular basis? How long has it done this?
Let us know, and we can help out.
Again.. welcome!
03-11-2002, 12:17 AM
#5
Pro
Thread Starter
Thanks guys! 
The TPS thing was the problem, the sensor was faulty, and causing the fuel to cut out, thinking it was having a problem of some sort. Apparently the removal of the sensor(Ijust unplugged) causes the DME to set itself to a safe default setting, limited boost, richer fuel setting.
The smoke is definatley turbo related, I just wanted to see if this is a common thing, or sign of a problem. It only happens under heavy boost, and some mornings at start up its a little smoky for the first couple of throttle revs. ( Leak down?)
I am currently, all day today and tomorrow too, buffing with a 10" orbital and a crapload of Meigiar's paint restoration supplies. So far I am astonished at the results. I stripped the paint a bit with a good paint cleaner, then started applying glaze coats, 3 so far, gonna stop at 5 or 6, maybe. Then carnuba wax to finish it all off. The hood looks soooo good right now.
There is a guy in town who also has a 86 944t, only he bought a much nicer example than mine. He also paid a hell of a lot more than I did. But it inspired me to work a little harder on cosmetics.
It is so hard to explain to others about how I feel about my car. I am sure you guys understand, but non-Porsche people just think we are crazy. I would rather sit broken down in my Porsche, than drive a Chevy. Of course, i would really rather blow by the Chevy at 150!
And I never run out of gas, just road!
The TPS thing was the problem, the sensor was faulty, and causing the fuel to cut out, thinking it was having a problem of some sort. Apparently the removal of the sensor(Ijust unplugged) causes the DME to set itself to a safe default setting, limited boost, richer fuel setting.
The smoke is definatley turbo related, I just wanted to see if this is a common thing, or sign of a problem. It only happens under heavy boost, and some mornings at start up its a little smoky for the first couple of throttle revs. ( Leak down?)
I am currently, all day today and tomorrow too, buffing with a 10" orbital and a crapload of Meigiar's paint restoration supplies. So far I am astonished at the results. I stripped the paint a bit with a good paint cleaner, then started applying glaze coats, 3 so far, gonna stop at 5 or 6, maybe. Then carnuba wax to finish it all off. The hood looks soooo good right now.
There is a guy in town who also has a 86 944t, only he bought a much nicer example than mine. He also paid a hell of a lot more than I did. But it inspired me to work a little harder on cosmetics.
It is so hard to explain to others about how I feel about my car. I am sure you guys understand, but non-Porsche people just think we are crazy. I would rather sit broken down in my Porsche, than drive a Chevy. Of course, i would really rather blow by the Chevy at 150!
And I never run out of gas, just road!
03-11-2002, 09:45 AM
#6
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Steelers Country
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
944t,
Welcome to the board. Your Porsche history is very similar to mine. First P-car 79 924. Current P-car 86 White 944T w/white Fuchs. Although I know you are not my evil twin--he is elsewhere on this board--isn't that right Eric.. <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
Welcome to the board. Your Porsche history is very similar to mine. First P-car 79 924. Current P-car 86 White 944T w/white Fuchs. Although I know you are not my evil twin--he is elsewhere on this board--isn't that right Eric.. <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />