HELP: first issue with the 993
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have had my car for about a year and half, put about 10k miles, 2 engine (M1 15W-50) and tranny oil changes. It rained a lot today.
Tonight after work, I fired up the car and drove out of the work parking lot just like every other night. At the first stop, the engine would idle rough. I didn't think much of it. Then with every shift, the initial 1 sec of gas after a gear change, the engine RPM would not respond and it'd catch it, thus jerking the car. Soon I started smelling burning (it was more like egg rotting smell). The car would not die at the light, but I stalled it about twice since regular amount of gas would not be enough. It'd really feel like losing power, then it'd go like how I know it would (felt more like I had a turbo car, ie, turbo lag).
I pulled over to a nearby mall and when I opened up the engine lid, I didn't smell any of the burning smell. The smell is all inside the cabin.
Did anyone else experience this? My search didn't turn up any.
Is the clutch going out? I took a vid, but you won't be able to tell as I can't tell much from the vid, but in person it's pretty noticeable.
I decided to drive around the parking lot and the issue seemed to be better so I decided to drive it more and I got home safely without seeing the same issue (may be due to all highway after that).
Please help me if anything jumps out at you..
Thank you..
Tonight after work, I fired up the car and drove out of the work parking lot just like every other night. At the first stop, the engine would idle rough. I didn't think much of it. Then with every shift, the initial 1 sec of gas after a gear change, the engine RPM would not respond and it'd catch it, thus jerking the car. Soon I started smelling burning (it was more like egg rotting smell). The car would not die at the light, but I stalled it about twice since regular amount of gas would not be enough. It'd really feel like losing power, then it'd go like how I know it would (felt more like I had a turbo car, ie, turbo lag).
I pulled over to a nearby mall and when I opened up the engine lid, I didn't smell any of the burning smell. The smell is all inside the cabin.
Did anyone else experience this? My search didn't turn up any.
Is the clutch going out? I took a vid, but you won't be able to tell as I can't tell much from the vid, but in person it's pretty noticeable.
I decided to drive around the parking lot and the issue seemed to be better so I decided to drive it more and I got home safely without seeing the same issue (may be due to all highway after that).
Please help me if anything jumps out at you..
Thank you..
#2
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The usual course if action is to check if any fault codes are thrown. If you take it to an Autozone or similar place they will do it for free by plugging in an OBD scan tool
The electronics will catch engine misfire and narrow down the troubleshooting
Was the check engine light on?
The electronics will catch engine misfire and narrow down the troubleshooting
Was the check engine light on?
#3
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi, I'm actually new to this forum and I wont take delivery of my 993 until next month.
However, I do have significant experience to point you in the right direction... I hope! Generally, from what you're saying, water/condensation is probably getting into something responsible for delivering spark. For instance, under one or both of your distributor caps. It can be just enough to conduct current. ..maybe a crack or loose screw. This will cause sporadic misfires. It might be plugs wires too, not likely. After driving around the condensation evaporates or gets wiped off.
Alternatively, water getting into the intake can do that... Though I don't really think that's possible with the way these cars have the intake routed.
I hope that helps and that someone with more 911 specific experience knows more.
Regards,
jeremy
However, I do have significant experience to point you in the right direction... I hope! Generally, from what you're saying, water/condensation is probably getting into something responsible for delivering spark. For instance, under one or both of your distributor caps. It can be just enough to conduct current. ..maybe a crack or loose screw. This will cause sporadic misfires. It might be plugs wires too, not likely. After driving around the condensation evaporates or gets wiped off.
Alternatively, water getting into the intake can do that... Though I don't really think that's possible with the way these cars have the intake routed.
I hope that helps and that someone with more 911 specific experience knows more.
Regards,
jeremy
#4
Drifting
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm in Santa Cruz and agree with above theory.
Our Californian cars are so dry all year that all the boots dry out and open up, a little water wreaks havoc. Have a look at your distributor at night, in the dark. I think you'll be shocked (sorry ;-) at the light show. I've been cleaning leads etc and rubbing a little vaseline on the rubbers to try and get a seal (don't get it on the metal if you can help it.) and the light show has diminished.
Our Californian cars are so dry all year that all the boots dry out and open up, a little water wreaks havoc. Have a look at your distributor at night, in the dark. I think you'll be shocked (sorry ;-) at the light show. I've been cleaning leads etc and rubbing a little vaseline on the rubbers to try and get a seal (don't get it on the metal if you can help it.) and the light show has diminished.
#6
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Coil packs will do this and more subtly everything down stream at 1/6th the interval.
I usually would suspect them on a wet day when the car falls on its azz like yours is rather then a hiccup.
I usually would suspect them on a wet day when the car falls on its azz like yours is rather then a hiccup.
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The usual course if action is to check if any fault codes are thrown. If you take it to an Autozone or similar place they will do it for free by plugging in an OBD scan tool
The electronics will catch engine misfire and narrow down the troubleshooting
Was the check engine light on?
The electronics will catch engine misfire and narrow down the troubleshooting
Was the check engine light on?
Trending Topics
#8
Instructor
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi, I'm actually new to this forum and I wont take delivery of my 993 until next month.
However, I do have significant experience to point you in the right direction... I hope! Generally, from what you're saying, water/condensation is probably getting into something responsible for delivering spark. For instance, under one or both of your distributor caps. It can be just enough to conduct current. ..maybe a crack or loose screw. This will cause sporadic misfires. It might be plugs wires too, not likely. After driving around the condensation evaporates or gets wiped off.
Alternatively, water getting into the intake can do that... Though I don't really think that's possible with the way these cars have the intake routed.
I hope that helps and that someone with more 911 specific experience knows more.
Regards,
jeremy
However, I do have significant experience to point you in the right direction... I hope! Generally, from what you're saying, water/condensation is probably getting into something responsible for delivering spark. For instance, under one or both of your distributor caps. It can be just enough to conduct current. ..maybe a crack or loose screw. This will cause sporadic misfires. It might be plugs wires too, not likely. After driving around the condensation evaporates or gets wiped off.
Alternatively, water getting into the intake can do that... Though I don't really think that's possible with the way these cars have the intake routed.
I hope that helps and that someone with more 911 specific experience knows more.
Regards,
jeremy
Thanks for the reply. You're one lucky guy! Welcome to the club (soon)
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I did think about water getting in some electric stuff, but what would explain the smell? That's the part that's puzzling me...
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm hoping for the best (or better). The smell is what I'm really curious about. It smelt like something burning to hot springs smell..
#12
Rennlist Member
#13
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Seriously, we don't know what year you car is. If it's '96+, it has OBD2 and will, generally, store a code. If it's '95 it's OBD1 and will not.
I would check simple things first. Definitely check distributor caps and rotors for cracks, spark plug cables for any damage.
#14
Race Car
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My first thought was with Steve. It's the wires. The rain is the clue. Even if they look fine, they're not. I've heard that you can spray water on them at night with the lights off and the engine running and see arcing if they are bad. But, if yours are more than a couple of years old, they probably are.
#15
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Agree with other that the problem is mostlikely your wires. Mine had simular problems that was solved with new wires and caps. Did the problem go away when things dried up?