Same old problem...
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 902
Likes: 4
From: Boston, Fort Lauderdale
Same old problem...
I still can not solve this problem. My 82 runs like a top "IF" I drive it everyday. If I let 2 days go by it runs like crap, feels like its running on 4-5 cylinders, shakes badly when letting out the clutch etc. When you get it moving, and apply "light" acceleration it will eventually get up to speed but any additional gas and it sputters and makes a wierd noise like I opened a compression realese valve. I took it for a few miles today, parked it, and tommorow morning it will run PERFECT.
Any ideas??
Thanks much...
Any ideas??
Thanks much...
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,283
Likes: 52
From: Australia
What happens if you leave it for a week? Really bad, longer to recover? Something is beginning to get sticky...once had a similar problem, was due to mechanical advance in distributor freezing up. Leave it sit a couple of days, put timing light on it, see if its advancing as you open throttle.
jp 83 Euro S AT 49k
jp 83 Euro S AT 49k
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 9,429
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From: Not close enough to VIR.
If you are running on only 4 cylinders (one distributer disconnected or one bank of injectors not injecting), don't drive it!
There have been several threads posted on how to go through the ignition and injection systems step by step. I'd start there.
There have been several threads posted on how to go through the ignition and injection systems step by step. I'd start there.
Deer Slayer
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I'd guess you have a cracked distributor or couple of bad plug wires or something similar that is letting moisture get in to your ignition system somewhere... once the car is driven, the engine heat evaporates it out and she runs sweetly... after she sits, moisture condenses and starts shorting stuff out.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,210
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From: Nova Scotia
Just for fun, run a jug of Chevron 'Techron' through the system - to clean the injectors. If that shows promise, then there are other steps ...
Also, check the grounds of the FI harness - and the condition of the 'green wire' running from the (single) distributor to the ignition module - tucked behind the jump start terminal.
Also, check the grounds of the FI harness - and the condition of the 'green wire' running from the (single) distributor to the ignition module - tucked behind the jump start terminal.
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Banned
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,248
Likes: 5
From: Ft. Lauderdale FLORIDA
THIS sounds more electrical to me....like the battery is bad and barely has enough energy to power everything. Try cleaning contacts, or take it to an autoparts store and have them check your charging system.
N!
N!
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 902
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From: Boston, Fort Lauderdale
Thanks for the great ideas. A little over a year ago I had the motor, pulled, and rebuilt to get rid of the oil leeks etc. The heads and valves were also done while it was out of the car. It just so wierd that if I do drive the car everyday there are NO issues.
Once again, thanks to all... Rick
Once again, thanks to all... Rick
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
I experienced the same thing with my 88. It was happening just as you stated.
Start it cold and it runs like crap whether I drive for ten min or ten hrs.
Shut it down warm and let it sit for a few hours(or even a day) and it ran like a champ.
Let it sit or a couple of days and it ran like crap again.
A set of plugs/wires/caps /rotors cleared it up permanently but I never found out what was the actual cause.
I still don't understand how letting the car sit for a few hrs after experiencing the symptoms cleared things up. Whereas the symptoms would never go away while driving the car.
Start it cold and it runs like crap whether I drive for ten min or ten hrs.
Shut it down warm and let it sit for a few hours(or even a day) and it ran like a champ.
Let it sit or a couple of days and it ran like crap again.
A set of plugs/wires/caps /rotors cleared it up permanently but I never found out what was the actual cause.
I still don't understand how letting the car sit for a few hrs after experiencing the symptoms cleared things up. Whereas the symptoms would never go away while driving the car.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,210
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From: Y-Bridge City, Zanesville, Ohio
Originally Posted by Dave Howerdel
I experienced the same thing with my 88. It was happening just as you stated.
Start it cold and it runs like crap whether I drive for ten min or ten hrs.
Shut it down warm and let it sit for a few hours(or even a day) and it ran like a champ.
Let it sit or a couple of days and it ran like crap again.
A set of plugs/wires/caps /rotors cleared it up permanently but I never found out what was the actual cause.
I still don't understand how letting the car sit for a few hrs after experiencing the symptoms cleared things up. Whereas the symptoms would never go away while driving the car.
Start it cold and it runs like crap whether I drive for ten min or ten hrs.
Shut it down warm and let it sit for a few hours(or even a day) and it ran like a champ.
Let it sit or a couple of days and it ran like crap again.
A set of plugs/wires/caps /rotors cleared it up permanently but I never found out what was the actual cause.
I still don't understand how letting the car sit for a few hrs after experiencing the symptoms cleared things up. Whereas the symptoms would never go away while driving the car.
Warm shutdown means a heat soak that could dry things out. More than one day could mean more than one day/night temp shift.
If the crappy running is moisture, maybe an initial moisture shorting pathway, once established, maintains itself until dry and closed.
I'm definitely interested in the soulution.
BTW, nice stable.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
Originally Posted by Fogey1
Was it parked differently, i.e., inside or out? Any weather correlation?
The plugs looked good when pulled and there was no condensation built up in the caps. Visually all looked fine. Of course a visual inspection of the wires means next to nothing.
I guess in retrospect I should have given it a run between replacements to find the true cause, but I hate working on a hot engine.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,268
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From: Madrid, España
Rick,
You could try to let the car sit for a day or two and than start it in you garage at night. If there are some serious arcing issues from the wires it will be very easy to see.
When the car runs like crap what about shutting it down and looking at the plugs? This would be also a good way to see if all cylinders burn the fuel the same way.
You could try to let the car sit for a day or two and than start it in you garage at night. If there are some serious arcing issues from the wires it will be very easy to see.
When the car runs like crap what about shutting it down and looking at the plugs? This would be also a good way to see if all cylinders burn the fuel the same way.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 902
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From: Boston, Fort Lauderdale
Im calling my Porsche mechanic today, I will let all of you know what the outcome is. As with Dave my car is always garaged. Thanks again for all of your input.
Rick
Rick
