Is it the fule pump?, Spluttering and stalling! Options

[chrispovoas]

Hi guys, Chris from New Zealand here....finally bought myself a 914! Shes a '73 2.0 with original FI. Had her about a week, after standing for 8 years.

Previous owner spent some time and money getting her on the road as part of the sale to me, but still a bit of work to be done! I'll try and attach a picture.

Took her for a shakedown run today for about 3 hours but then she started coughing and spluttering then stalled at about 60mph. Coasted to a halt, ignition on/off and away she went again for about half an hour.. Same thing again, ignition on/off and all was well for another 20 min.. This went on and on and the intervals between spluttering and stalling got more frequent until i just about made it home.

Felt like fuel rather than electrical... Could it be the fuel pump, or any other ideas?

I have a feeling I'll be using the forum quite a bit (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Nice to meet everyone!

[technicalninja]

Hi guys, Chris from New Zealand here....finally bought myself a 914! Shes a '73 2.0 with original FI. Had her about a week, after standing for 8 years.

What you are describing sounds like vapor lock to me as well but any car that sits that long needs a full inspection of EVERYTHING.
The first inspection I'd do is gas tank internals. 8 years is a LONG time.
I don't know what New Zealand fuel is like but here in the USA the tank would be "poisoned" and require either replacement or massive cleaning. Our fuel goes south after 6 months. 8 years would turn it into varnish...

I've got a 75 that has been dormant since 1989.
It's been "standing" for 34 years!

I'm doing what I call a "resurrection" to it. It is the longest dead time car I've ever done.
You solve all the problems you can find and drive it until something else shows up.
You fix and drive again. Lather/rinse/repeat.

One of the initial tasks is compete replacement/ restoration of the fuel system.
My car still has the hard plastic fuel lines that Porsche used 50 years ago.
It's getting all new steel lines before returning to service.

A fire extinguisher will be a passenger for the first 500+ miles, even with the new fuel system in place.
The ONLY times I've ever needed an extinguisher is when one wasn't available.
If you have it with you, you will not have a fire that requires it.

The brake hydraulic system is another system that requires full rebuild after 50 years.
ALL rubber-based parts are being replaced before road use. 8 years non-use does not kill this system like it does a fuel system, but your system is 50 years old this year and no hydraulic system lasts half a century.

Beautiful car, love the color.

[chrispovoas]

Hi guys, Chris from New Zealand here....finally bought myself a 914! Shes a '73 2.0 with original FI. Had her about a week, after standing for 8 years.

What you are describing sounds like vapor lock to me as well but any car that sits that long needs a full inspection of EVERYTHING.
The first inspection I'd do is gas tank internals. 8 years is a LONG time.
I don't know what New Zealand fuel is like but here in the USA the tank would be "poisoned" and require either replacement or massive cleaning. Our fuel goes south after 6 months. 8 years would turn it into varnish...

I've got a 75 that has been dormant since 1989.
It's been "standing" for 34 years!

I'm doing what I call a "resurrection" to it. It is the longest dead time car I've ever done.
You solve all the problems you can find and drive it until something else shows up.
You fix and drive again. Lather/rinse/repeat.

One of the initial tasks is compete replacement/ restoration of the fuel system.
My car still has the hard plastic fuel lines that Porsche used 50 years ago.
It's getting all new steel lines before returning to service.

A fire extinguisher will be a passenger for the first 500+ miles, even with the new fuel system in place.
The ONLY times I've ever needed an extinguisher is when one wasn't available.
If you have it with you, you will not have a fire that requires it.

The brake hydraulic system is another system that requires full rebuild after 50 years.
ALL rubber-based parts are being replaced before road use. 8 years non-use does not kill this system like it does a fuel system, but your system is 50 years old this year and no hydraulic system lasts half a century.

Beautiful car, love the color.

Thanks Technic!

The guy i bought it from did a lot of work to get it road worthy such as clutch, brakes, FI hoses etc etc etc, so it drives well apart form the spluttering and stalling.

Sounds like you've got a bigger job ahead of you than me!!!