The "Ohhh F@&%!" Thread
10-29-2003, 09:54 PM
#1
928 Engine Re-Re-Rebuild Specialist
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The "Ohhh F@&%!" Thread
Well....I decided to try to fix my leaking fuel pump. I got great advice that my copper fitting were likely in need of some attention.
However, in keeping with the quote in my signature, I managed to break my fuel pump. How you might ask? I was stupid enough to try to turn one of the posts that holds the electrical connections, thereby destroying the circuit inside the pump. Why you might ask? I dunno, seemed like the right idea at the time....I couldn't get a wrench on the fittings because the post was in the way so I thought maybe the post must come out. After all, it has another nut on after I removed the nut holding the wire. Problem is that now the post spins freely and my car dies a second after it starts. Diagnosis: no power to the pump. I killed it.
Lessons learned:
1. Don't take shortcuts. I'd still have a working pump if I had just removed the whole assembly with the filter and been able to get at the pump fittings from another angle.
2. Gas smells verrrry strong.
3. Gas irritates the skin, and gloves made to sustain gas don't protect your face or your arms.
4. Gas flows freely and quickly from the tank supply line.
5. It's damn near impossible to find anything to plug the tank supply line other than the pump.
6. The pump leaks, a lot, when not attached to the filter.
7. The best way to stop a supply line leak from the pump is to re-attach the filter and pump.
8. Wait for the new part to arrive before taking off the old fuel pump.
9. Mistakes sometimes cost $195 plus $40 for overnight shipping.
So.....what dumbass mistakes have others made? Make me feel better.
However, in keeping with the quote in my signature, I managed to break my fuel pump. How you might ask? I was stupid enough to try to turn one of the posts that holds the electrical connections, thereby destroying the circuit inside the pump. Why you might ask? I dunno, seemed like the right idea at the time....I couldn't get a wrench on the fittings because the post was in the way so I thought maybe the post must come out. After all, it has another nut on after I removed the nut holding the wire. Problem is that now the post spins freely and my car dies a second after it starts. Diagnosis: no power to the pump. I killed it.
Lessons learned:
1. Don't take shortcuts. I'd still have a working pump if I had just removed the whole assembly with the filter and been able to get at the pump fittings from another angle.
2. Gas smells verrrry strong.
3. Gas irritates the skin, and gloves made to sustain gas don't protect your face or your arms.
4. Gas flows freely and quickly from the tank supply line.
5. It's damn near impossible to find anything to plug the tank supply line other than the pump.
6. The pump leaks, a lot, when not attached to the filter.
7. The best way to stop a supply line leak from the pump is to re-attach the filter and pump.
8. Wait for the new part to arrive before taking off the old fuel pump.
9. Mistakes sometimes cost $195 plus $40 for overnight shipping.
So.....what dumbass mistakes have others made? Make me feel better.
Last edited by Big Dave; 10-29-2003 at 10:48 PM.
10-29-2003, 10:38 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
Oops, this isn't 928 related.
I was building a house in the middle of nowhere. It took PG&E almost one year to get power to the property. In the meantime, I was living on a diesel generator. There were a couple of times when I managed to foul the injectors. One morning I used starter fluid to get the engine going. To my shock, I heard a loud crack sound, and one of the crankshaft counterweights broke thru the crankcase and went flying past my right cheek. On Lister engines, the counterweights are bolted on, I learned. I also learned that on small diesels, starter fluid is a no-no. WD-40 works as a starter fluid without the destructive force.
I can probably come up with more stories, but it might be less painful to try and forget.
It is pretty ironic with that sig line of yours. Oops.
I was building a house in the middle of nowhere. It took PG&E almost one year to get power to the property. In the meantime, I was living on a diesel generator. There were a couple of times when I managed to foul the injectors. One morning I used starter fluid to get the engine going. To my shock, I heard a loud crack sound, and one of the crankshaft counterweights broke thru the crankcase and went flying past my right cheek. On Lister engines, the counterweights are bolted on, I learned. I also learned that on small diesels, starter fluid is a no-no. WD-40 works as a starter fluid without the destructive force.
I can probably come up with more stories, but it might be less painful to try and forget.
It is pretty ironic with that sig line of yours. Oops.
Last edited by Gregg K; 10-30-2003 at 12:01 AM.
10-29-2003, 11:46 PM
#4
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Re: The "Ohhh F@&%!" Thread
1 piece of old rubber hose split length-wise, taped to the insides of vice-grip jaws.
pinch hose, remove pump, no fuel from tank...
pinch hose, remove pump, no fuel from tank...
Originally posted by Big Dave
5. It's damn near impossible to find anything to plug the tank supply line other than the pump.
7. The best way to stop a supply line leak from the pump is to re-attach the filter and pump.
5. It's damn near impossible to find anything to plug the tank supply line other than the pump.
7. The best way to stop a supply line leak from the pump is to re-attach the filter and pump.
10-30-2003, 12:20 AM
#5
Nordschleife Master
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Not 928, but one time I had to delete a record in a large database and typed out "Delete from $tablename" and forgot to add "where record = $id" and I wiped out the whole database. Then the backup tape failed and I had to figure out something fast!
Then this one time at band camp. I went fishing and went to throw the fishing line in, but threw the hole rod and everything. Right after I did that everything went in slow motion and I reached out to grab it 1/billionith of a second after I let go, but it was too late.
Then this one time at band camp. I went fishing and went to throw the fishing line in, but threw the hole rod and everything. Right after I did that everything went in slow motion and I reached out to grab it 1/billionith of a second after I let go, but it was too late.
10-30-2003, 01:43 AM
#6
928 Barrister
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dumbkopf award: 1st place
Sheesh, that's nothing. Listen to this if you want to hear about a F*** up big time.
I had just built a new engine for my 914/6 and gone to the Oklahoma Parade. On the way back in Albuquerque I thought it was running roughly.
I went to a carburetor shop to have them both boiled out. On the side of the road, I took apart both carbs and asked the shop to soak them. They said they don't soak them, but rather run a wire through the internal passages.
I knew I was in the wrong place. I was on the phone to PMO re: the carbs when the shop owner became angry that I didn't want the carbs done his way, and asked me rather abruptly to leave. I went back to the car and began reassembly of the carbs rapidly. As some of you may know, checking the float level on this model of weber carbs requires insertion of a rubber wedge between the float and the carb body and then measuring from the carb body top to the needle valve tab on the float. Of course, when you're finished measuring you should remove the wedge to allow the float to move freely.....if you're paying attention and not rushing on the side of the road.....or whatever other reason for being a dumbkopf.
I got the carbs back on the car and got in to start it, realizing that the night before I had experienced starter motor problems. I turned the key after allowing ample time for the pump to fill the bowls. Click, click click was all I heard. A man was standing alongside admiring the car and he said that it seemed I had starter motor problems. I concurred. He said he had his Chevy truck nearby with a long chain, and suggested we tow it. We did at about 40 mph and then I let out the clutch. Skreetch !! was all I heard as rubber was left all over the roadway. He said "Let's try again".
As if I couldn't learn the first time to stop and think, I concurred again. More Skreetch!! and then the smell of gasoline. At that point we stopped and I thought about it. I HAD FORGOTTEN TO REMOVE ONE OF THE FLOAT STOPS IN ONE OF THE CARBS AND HAD PUMPED THE CYLINDERS FULL OF GAS.
I let the carb drain and removed the wedge, and then we started the engine which actually ran. That motor lasted another 75 miles with rods twisted like curlyques before it finally let go outside of Albuqurque.
Well, at least I got a trophy in my autocross class at the Parade.
There, that should make you feel a bit better, eh??
I had just built a new engine for my 914/6 and gone to the Oklahoma Parade. On the way back in Albuquerque I thought it was running roughly.
I went to a carburetor shop to have them both boiled out. On the side of the road, I took apart both carbs and asked the shop to soak them. They said they don't soak them, but rather run a wire through the internal passages.
I knew I was in the wrong place. I was on the phone to PMO re: the carbs when the shop owner became angry that I didn't want the carbs done his way, and asked me rather abruptly to leave. I went back to the car and began reassembly of the carbs rapidly. As some of you may know, checking the float level on this model of weber carbs requires insertion of a rubber wedge between the float and the carb body and then measuring from the carb body top to the needle valve tab on the float. Of course, when you're finished measuring you should remove the wedge to allow the float to move freely.....if you're paying attention and not rushing on the side of the road.....or whatever other reason for being a dumbkopf.I got the carbs back on the car and got in to start it, realizing that the night before I had experienced starter motor problems. I turned the key after allowing ample time for the pump to fill the bowls. Click, click click was all I heard. A man was standing alongside admiring the car and he said that it seemed I had starter motor problems. I concurred. He said he had his Chevy truck nearby with a long chain, and suggested we tow it. We did at about 40 mph and then I let out the clutch. Skreetch !! was all I heard as rubber was left all over the roadway. He said "Let's try again".
As if I couldn't learn the first time to stop and think, I concurred again. More Skreetch!! and then the smell of gasoline. At that point we stopped and I thought about it. I HAD FORGOTTEN TO REMOVE ONE OF THE FLOAT STOPS IN ONE OF THE CARBS AND HAD PUMPED THE CYLINDERS FULL OF GAS.
I let the carb drain and removed the wedge, and then we started the engine which actually ran. That motor lasted another 75 miles with rods twisted like curlyques before it finally let go outside of Albuqurque.
Well, at least I got a trophy in my autocross class at the Parade.
There, that should make you feel a bit better, eh??
10-30-2003, 11:07 AM
#7
928 Engine Re-Re-Rebuild Specialist
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I'll have to do the hose clamp thing with vise-grips. Didn't have one handy last night, but you can bet your a$$ I'll have one before putting on the new pump today. It took 2 showers 1/2 a new bar of soap to finally remove the smell of gasoline from me. I'm not interested in getting soaked again.
I'm hoping---a lot---that the new pump will do the trick. I'm nervous that something electrical in the wring somehow got f-ed up so that the new pump won't work either. Just trivial jitters I know, but I won't be happy until that beautiful BWAAAH is back in my life.
I'm hoping---a lot---that the new pump will do the trick. I'm nervous that something electrical in the wring somehow got f-ed up so that the new pump won't work either. Just trivial jitters I know, but I won't be happy until that beautiful BWAAAH is back in my life.
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10-30-2003, 11:28 AM
#8
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How about this one,
My dad and I were finishing the installation of my 5 spd transmission. I had just hung the exhaust back on the car and asked my dad if he had tightened all the hex bolts from the halfshafts to the transmission. He replied "yes" I thought nothing of it thinking he had and we finished the installation. Well, I drove back to Ohio and the car sat for a week and the next weekend I left for home again. I just made it to the Ohio Turnpike toll booths and I heard a snap. Couldn't get the car to move. had it towed to Canton, Ohio and here all the bolts fell out but two on the left and three on the right. Broke the left two. The shop had replaced all bolts at no charge because they had just overhauled the transmission. Boy did I feel stupid when I picked up the car and heard what happened.
My dad and I were finishing the installation of my 5 spd transmission. I had just hung the exhaust back on the car and asked my dad if he had tightened all the hex bolts from the halfshafts to the transmission. He replied "yes" I thought nothing of it thinking he had and we finished the installation. Well, I drove back to Ohio and the car sat for a week and the next weekend I left for home again. I just made it to the Ohio Turnpike toll booths and I heard a snap. Couldn't get the car to move. had it towed to Canton, Ohio and here all the bolts fell out but two on the left and three on the right. Broke the left two. The shop had replaced all bolts at no charge because they had just overhauled the transmission. Boy did I feel stupid when I picked up the car and heard what happened.
10-30-2003, 11:41 AM
#9
I was trying to fix a throttle problem on my Audi S4. The most common cause is a torn throttle body boot - cheap - so I bought the boot and went to work. Discovered the old boot wasn't torn. Then in the process of putting it all back together I dropped a wrench and while trying to retrieve the wrench I holed the radiator... At this point I gave up and paid the dealership to replace the radiator.
BTW the throttle problem turned out to be a throttle position sensor - but you can't just replace the sensor. Yep, I needed a whole new throttle body.
BTW the throttle problem turned out to be a throttle position sensor - but you can't just replace the sensor. Yep, I needed a whole new throttle body.
10-30-2003, 11:57 AM
#10
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Well, coming back from Sharks In The Mountains, I found myself on the Florida turnpike about 25 miles from home. It was night, and I was 9 hours on the road from North Carolina. I found my exit in Orlando, and as I braked to take the exit, I heard a loud clack from the front end.
I thought...."Hmm... that didn't sound like the exhaust system shifting...maybe I just hit something on the road." Another loud clack as I braked at the toll plaza. And in town, I heard clacks each time I stopped.
"What now....?" I said to myself and pulled into a grocery store parking lot. Looking underneath, I could see nothing wrong. Even when I turned the wheels full lock left and right- nothing seemed amiss. Until I felt around..
The week before I had paid a professional mechanic who owns a Porsche 928 to replace the ball joints on both sides of my '85. I found that the left front caliper was held on by one bolt, which was only a few threads from backing out all the way. The other bolt was GONE! I turned the remaining bolt in by hand as far as I could, and checked the other side. BOTH were LOOSE! I drove a few blocks carefully, noting no clacks. I stopped, and since they didn't seem to be loosening up...I took it home. I brought it to his shop the next day [two miles from my house], and pointed this out to him. He turned white-
MY mistake? Not lifting the car up when I got it home from his shop and double checking his work!
Normy!
'85 S2 5 Speed
I thought...."Hmm... that didn't sound like the exhaust system shifting...maybe I just hit something on the road." Another loud clack as I braked at the toll plaza. And in town, I heard clacks each time I stopped.
"What now....?" I said to myself and pulled into a grocery store parking lot. Looking underneath, I could see nothing wrong. Even when I turned the wheels full lock left and right- nothing seemed amiss. Until I felt around..
The week before I had paid a professional mechanic who owns a Porsche 928 to replace the ball joints on both sides of my '85. I found that the left front caliper was held on by one bolt, which was only a few threads from backing out all the way. The other bolt was GONE! I turned the remaining bolt in by hand as far as I could, and checked the other side. BOTH were LOOSE! I drove a few blocks carefully, noting no clacks. I stopped, and since they didn't seem to be loosening up...I took it home. I brought it to his shop the next day [two miles from my house], and pointed this out to him. He turned white-
MY mistake? Not lifting the car up when I got it home from his shop and double checking his work!
Normy!
'85 S2 5 Speed
10-30-2003, 12:01 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
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Dave,
Enjoyed reading your post. I suspect I'll be sending a few of these in myself as time goes on. I'll do my best to learn from other's experiences here but not sure that'll save me from everything ;-) Kudos for spinning the wrench on the pump replacement and for sharing your difficulties in performing the work!
Cheers,
Tim
Enjoyed reading your post. I suspect I'll be sending a few of these in myself as time goes on. I'll do my best to learn from other's experiences here but not sure that'll save me from everything ;-) Kudos for spinning the wrench on the pump replacement and for sharing your difficulties in performing the work!
Cheers,
Tim
10-30-2003, 12:30 PM
#12
928 Engine Re-Re-Rebuild Specialist
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Originally posted by tuk_928
Dave,
Enjoyed reading your post. I suspect I'll be sending a few of these in myself as time goes on. I'll do my best to learn from other's experiences here but not sure that'll save me from everything ;-) Kudos for spinning the wrench on the pump replacement and for sharing your difficulties in performing the work!
Cheers,
Tim
Dave,
Enjoyed reading your post. I suspect I'll be sending a few of these in myself as time goes on. I'll do my best to learn from other's experiences here but not sure that'll save me from everything ;-) Kudos for spinning the wrench on the pump replacement and for sharing your difficulties in performing the work!
Cheers,
Tim
10-30-2003, 03:30 PM
#13
Nordschleife Master
I'm driveing down the high way. Suddenly the voltage drops to that of the battery, and the alt. lights comes on. Smoke comes out of the frount of my hood, between the gap in the bummper cover and the hood. I try to pull over, power steering is out.
Uh oh.
I start mussleing the car around. It's NOT easy! You think the 928's steering is heavy as it is, try it w/o power steering! It's just nearly impossible to go around any short conor at speed.
I'm not sure whats happening.
Everything points to belts, but the smoke... Um thats BAD! I was afraid I had a fire in the engine bay.
It turns out that my a/c belt got lose, jumped under tha alt belt, and stoped. The alt. belt kept turning. Result, loughts of heat and smoke. They both get under the powersteering belt, and splinter it. They just mannaged to knock the fan belt off. 3 new belts, and I'm good to go. Should have changed them when I changed the timeing belt, but they looked OK. Not great and new, but OK.
I'm 385 miles from home. I start up the car, and theres an odd rattling sound. I feel the timeing belt cover, IT'S VIBRATING with the rattling sound!!!! There's a squeeking sound that matches the rattling! Yeikes! The engine warms up, and it goes away. I have no choice, I nurse the car 300 miles, before the belt jumps it's teeth. I didn't have any tools, I couldn't retension, or anything. Plus it's at night. I go through a stop light, and theres no more power.
I pull over to the side of the road. In the process, I've lost oil pressure. I pull the dipsitck. It's on a slight incline, no detecable oil!!!! I pour 4 quats in. Detectable oil. I turn the engine over, it's not locked up. OK, hum. I pull the intake hose, use a bit of grit to put a mark on the tieming belt. I turn the engine over. Grit mark is still there. Uh Oh....
Long story short, new timeing belt, and I'm good to go.
Uh oh.
I start mussleing the car around. It's NOT easy! You think the 928's steering is heavy as it is, try it w/o power steering! It's just nearly impossible to go around any short conor at speed.
I'm not sure whats happening.
Everything points to belts, but the smoke... Um thats BAD! I was afraid I had a fire in the engine bay.
It turns out that my a/c belt got lose, jumped under tha alt belt, and stoped. The alt. belt kept turning. Result, loughts of heat and smoke. They both get under the powersteering belt, and splinter it. They just mannaged to knock the fan belt off. 3 new belts, and I'm good to go. Should have changed them when I changed the timeing belt, but they looked OK. Not great and new, but OK.
I'm 385 miles from home. I start up the car, and theres an odd rattling sound. I feel the timeing belt cover, IT'S VIBRATING with the rattling sound!!!! There's a squeeking sound that matches the rattling! Yeikes! The engine warms up, and it goes away. I have no choice, I nurse the car 300 miles, before the belt jumps it's teeth. I didn't have any tools, I couldn't retension, or anything. Plus it's at night. I go through a stop light, and theres no more power.
I pull over to the side of the road. In the process, I've lost oil pressure. I pull the dipsitck. It's on a slight incline, no detecable oil!!!! I pour 4 quats in. Detectable oil. I turn the engine over, it's not locked up. OK, hum. I pull the intake hose, use a bit of grit to put a mark on the tieming belt. I turn the engine over. Grit mark is still there. Uh Oh....
Long story short, new timeing belt, and I'm good to go.
10-30-2003, 03:34 PM
#14
Nordschleife Master
aren't you glad you dont have an interference engine, and that ViribusUnits is exactly why I carry all the tool I need to tension the belt on my own
10-30-2003, 03:37 PM
#15
Nordschleife Master
Live and learn, live and learn.
I now carry the tools required to do nearly an entire t-belt job, exceping the socket for the crankshaft bolt. That and some of the more specalised stuck bolt getter outer tools.
I now carry the tools required to do nearly an entire t-belt job, exceping the socket for the crankshaft bolt. That and some of the more specalised stuck bolt getter outer tools.