Video of my 1.8 dying...Can anybody guess why?, Looks like it was a poorly connected double relay!!! Options

[orthobiz]

Update: No new engine for me right now, the 1.8 is once again running strong. Thanks everybody for looking at my videos and posting in this thread.

Paul


Edit: I added some video of my 1.8 engine's behavior. What you are seeing is about 2 minutes into the engine running from a cold start. I tried to capture a little of the shakiness of the engine as well. Wondering if anybody has a good idea of what's going on as I may want to sell the engine after the swap.

914 1.8 Stalling

Original Post:

So late last "season" (Porsche weather is May to November here in Michigan), my car stalled between shifts. Started up OK but conked out when warm. So...I discovered a disconnected hose and started a hose renewal project. After replacing every hose, the problem persisted. But along the way I had to replace the AFM as the car backfired and warped the flapping door. Still no success. Replaced the fuel injection seals, oil filler cap seals, still conks out after warm up. Contemplated a new brain and wiring harness and cylinder head temp sensor but have run out of patience.

To make a long story short, I've decided to go with a 2.0 and plan on dropping my car off at Brad Mayeur's next weekend. I've always wanted more power anyway.

Questions:

1. How much power am I losing by sticking with the stock 1974 exhaust system?

2. What to do with the 1.8? It ran strong before the problems developed, but the car is of unknown mileage. Seems like interest in these engines is, well, underwhelming. Brad said he has more than enough of these engines.

3. I'm sure he could get the 1.8 FI running on the 2.0, I know there are proponents of the L-Jet...Is that something worth pursuing or stick with the D-Jet?

Thanks,

Paul

BTW, I have a pristine orange 1.8 that is staying stock. This is for my red driver!

[r_towle]

For every question you have, ask Brad, and trust he will not steer you wrong.
He is an honest gentleman with a solid knowledge of these shitbox cars.

Rich

[orthobiz]

For every question you have, ask Brad, and trust he will not steer you wrong.
He is an honest gentleman with a solid knowledge of these shitbox cars.

Rich

I agree, he's the best. Just thought I'd solicit other opinions. It's fun to scheme and I value what the community has to say. For instance, maybe selling off parts of the engine would get me more money than it's worth on trade in?

Paul

[r_towle]

Cost is the killer to completely replace the system to djet.
Brad will have everything you need.

74 exhaust for the 1.8 versus 74 exhaust for the 2.0 liter power loss will be so small it may not be worth it to replace.....maybe 10hp

Motor difference, once he is done...figure about 20-30hp more.

[Mueller]

I've installed the L-Jet on a 2.0 and liked it. The car didn't run when I got it so no direct comparison with the d-jet.

[porschetub]

Cost is the killer to completely replace the system to djet.
Brad will have everything you need.

74 exhaust for the 1.8 versus 74 exhaust for the 2.0 liter power loss will be so small it may not be worth it to replace.....maybe 10hp

Motor difference, once he is done...figure about 20-30hp more.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) on Brad great guy very helpful to any and all,honestly the the power loss wouldn't be 10bhp more like 5bhp and would be hard to notice 'seat of pants'.
A good aftermarket muffler may give you a 5bhp gain for example.
Work on what you have lots of people on here to help ,good luck.

[orthobiz]

Thanks as always! I probably will stick with a stock exhaust. Now that I have ringing in my ears, I like a quiet car. After all, it's the driver!

Paul

[orthobiz]

I added a short video of my car running:

Longer Video

Tell me what you think, thanks.

Paul

[motorvated]

My 1.8 L-Jet is doing the very same thing, stalling at idle. I discovered that the vacuum retard on the distributor is leaking air and not retarding the timing at idle, and ?I think that nay be the problem with mine. Maybe yours too.

[veekry9]

Lean.

[orthobiz]

Long video, under 2.5 minutes. Me starting the car cold..


Thanks for the replies. The tailpipe seems to spew black droplets so I thought the car might be running rich. I'm much better at replacing the headlights than I am at fixing engines!

Paul

[timothy_nd28]

Funny, a surgeon with precision hands trying to save a 914 from flatlining!
Your car is in great hands with Brad, but you already knew that.

I would say that a complete Ljet kit in known running condition could bring in 500.00 easy.

[orthobiz]

Ha! My hat's off to you, Tim. I'd like to say thanks for that cold winter weekend when you had me testing the engine harness wiring via text. Just another great example of how this 914 community is THE BEST!

Paul

Funny, a surgeon with precision hands trying to save a 914 from flatlining!
Your car is in great hands with Brad, but you already knew that.

I would say that a complete Ljet kit in known running condition could bring in 500.00 easy.

[bigkensteele]

As I am a DIYer, I would take L-Jet over D-Jet hands down. It is simpler and arguably a bit more modern that D-Jet. Fewer components to fail, and it is original to your car. Other than the placement of the plugs on the 2.0, nobody will ever notice that you aren't running a 1.8, except for you when you hit the throttle. I would also stick with the stock exhaust, unless Brad happens to have the 2.0 goodies in stock for a reasonable price.

Brad can and will get it running correctly for you, and I think that you will be very happy.

[timothy_nd28]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/hide.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[boxsterfan]

I'd stick with the L-Jet. More modern. I once looked at putting L-Jet from Volvo on a 2270 build. It was definitely doable, but the programming of the ECU was problematic (just not as easy). What was easier was going with a MegaSquirt setup.

[914Sixer]

Porsche opted to put the L-Jet on the 76 912E. Work through the L-Jet bugs.

[914Sixer]

Just remembered something else. Did you check the seal in the oil cap filler? Maybe a new one might help.

[Dave_Darling]

1. How much power am I losing by sticking with the stock 1974 exhaust system?

Over what? Over a good set of tuned headers, like Racer Chris', you're giving away a pretty fair amount, on the order of 15-25 HP.

Over the stock 2.0 HE/muffler setup, giving up very little if any.

2. What to do with the 1.8? It ran strong before the problems developed, but the car is of unknown mileage. Seems like interest in these engines is, well, underwhelming. Brad said he has more than enough of these engines.

Sell it to a Bug guy? Use it as the base for a 2056cc or larger engine? Put it into a Beetle yourself?

3. I'm sure he could get the 1.8 FI running on the 2.0, I know there are proponents of the L-Jet...Is that something worth pursuing or stick with the D-Jet?

Either should work. Either way I would make sure that the mixture is reasonable throughout the RPM range; a wide-band O2 meter would be a very good idea.

--DD

[orthobiz]

Just remembered something else. Did you check the seal in the oil cap filler? Maybe a new one might help.

Yes. The red rubber seal was black and so hardened/brittle I had to cut it with tin snips. I replaced both seals. Every time I replaced a hose or the AFM rebuilt or injector seals I had hope it would run. I see there is love for the L-jet but I gotta tell you this vacuum sensitivity is making me nuts!

Paul