QuestionI have a 1980 924 non-turbo. The problem is that sometimes it won't start right away. It will fire and attempt to start and then die. When this happens it is very difficult to start. It appears that the engine is flooded. Other times it will start right up. Also when the engine is warm and I turn it off it will run on for a couple of seconds which causes a lot of vibration. Are these problems possibly related?
AnswerJoe,
Just to remind you, my expertise lies in the older 356 models. Luckily, many early designs/concepts have lasted since the early 50's and appear in revised forms on 911's, 914's 944's, Boxsters, etc. Where this happens I'll promise to try to give you the best answer I can.
I suspect you're sensing a flooded condition when the real problem may be just the opposite. When you try to start, the fuel injection demands more fuel than during normal driving conditions. At that moment. the special starting circuit delivers it's extra squirt to get things going, but because there's not enough fuel left at the next moment, the engine starves for fuel and dies. This is either because the fuel pump is not delivering enough fuel or it's at an insufficient pressure.
Both of these conditions can be checked by the home mechanic...(DON'T even think about it unless you know how to depressurize the system first). While you've got everything undone, I'd sure take the opportunity to change the fuel filter.
As for the running-on problem, I doubt they are related. One cause could be excessive cooling system temperatures...does the car seem to run hot...is it running hotter recently?
The other cause is related to the fuel injection computer...fixable by replacing it.
If you've got any other questions as you go forward, please don't hestitate to use the follow-up feature of All-experts.
Thanks.
Dave
