Trust Issues, Can I trust it? Options

[sdoolin]

Went to start the 914 a couple of days ago and noticed that the fuel pump sounded a little weak, didn't seem to run consistently when key turned. Car started, then died (as if it ran out of gas). Then would not start again. Cranked, but would not fire.

Luckily it was in the barn and not far away from home.

Went to push it out of the way last night (to get it on the lift) and it started right up. Damnit! I'd rather it stayed broken. It starts consistently now - even though the fuel pump still sounds weak.

So now I can't trust it to drive it anywhere for fear it'll not start somewhere far away.

Gonna check/replace the fuel pump and filter. Any other thoughts from the collective knowledge base?

[Tom_T]

Yeah, somehow cars always know when they're going to the shop or getting looked at & stoop.

Check fuel flow first before replacing parts on that side, cuz intermittent is more often on the electrical side - both ignition & ECU/EFI, so that all should be checked before throwing a load of new parts at anything.

One exception on the fuel side - if it was hot there then & you had driven the 914 before the problem (I know some areas are still very hot), & if you have an early 70-74 with the fuel pump in the engine bay - then it could be vapor lock & will want to move the fuel pump up under the fuel tank near the tunnel & behind the steering rack cover. AA sells a ready to go kit for that.

Basically in hot weather + engine bay heat overheats the fuel pump & it causes vapor bubbles inside & in lines & you have to wait for it to cool down & fuel to re-liquify. Porsche recognized this later & issued a Service/Tech Bulletin for the relocation noted above in the mid-70's & relocated the fuel pumps to the front on all 75-76 cars.

It happened to me once at a quick stop in Blythe CA in the SoCal desert summertime, which turned into an extended lunch stop while the fuel lines & pump cooled. The next week I had the pump moved & nary a problem since.

PS - You should also check & clean all the elec. connections throughout & at battery, & at the relay board as noted above, cuz they can corrode & cause problems too. I used to have to do it or have my mechanic do them every 6 months when I lived 3 blocks from the beach, more often was due to the salt air. Wurth or other elec. connection oil or elec. grease helps keep them clean.

914s can be very reliable DDs, so don't give up.

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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