New owner! Having some issues..., lorem ipsum porschum boxum Options

[detective_snakes]

Hi! I'm detective snakes, and I'm grateful to be a new member here!
I've come into possession of a 1970 914/4. Unsure of the finer details, but... I've run into a few roadblocks. I figured I should ask here just in case some of these problems are fairly common. If you don't mind my inquiry...

- The car was running the last time it was driven, around 6-8 years ago. I've replaced the battery (yes there is a rather small hell hole (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ), but nothing else has been done to the car. I did put around a gallon of new gas into the tank.

- Turns over, won't start. I'm fairly certain this is the fuel pump! I don't hear the whirring when I leave the key turned at idle. But I'm unsure of the specs of this engine, and I'm not sure whether or not this even has an electric pump.

- Shifter feels like it isn't connected... maybe linkage? But I don't know why a working car would randomly have it's shifter just do nothing.

When I turn the key, both the alternator light and oil light come on, but I'm guessing those always turn on when the key is turned before the engine is started.

As for the engine this car has... I'm unsure. It has a twin carburetor setup where they stick out high in the engine compartment, but that's all I know.

I'd be glad to provide any more pictures of the car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
I appreciate any answers given, this is my first real project car!

[iankarr]

Congrats and welcome!

If the car hasn't run for a while, and it has carbs, there's a decent chance they're gummed up with old fuel and in need of a rebuild. Here's what I would do, in order...

– Drain the fuel tank and change the filter. Look into the tank with a small flashlight and confirm that it's not all rusty and cruddy.

– Drain and change the oil and filter

– Pull and replace the plugs

– Replace the fuel pump. Decent chance that's gummed up, too. You'll need one for carbs, which runs at lower pressure than FI. The pump and filter are below the battery, under the engine tin, or possibly up in the front trunk / gas tank area, depending on if the previous owner moved it.

– Pull the jet stack out of the carbs, soak in cleaner / blow out and reinstall

– Hook everything back up and turn the key so that the pump is on. Check around the carbs for any fuel leakage. If the floats are stuck from gummy gas, they can overspill.

– Check the linkage and make sure both carb throttles are pulled in synch. you'll need to adjust this later.

– Hopefully the car starts. Once it does, you should sync the carbs (will need a snail meter for that) and verify the timing.

If the car doesn't start, and you know you've got good fuel and spark, you may need to rebuild the carbs.

Anytiime you resurrect a car it's possible for there to be several points of failure so don't get discouraged. Just be methodical and I'm sure you'll be on the road soon!

I've made a bunch of videos (and a special series for newbies) on my youtube channel. Link in my signature below...

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