1976 911S Engine hesitating/cutting out

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Nixta78 - 27 Dec 2003 07:10 GMT

I have a 1976 911S Targa with 221,000 that has been running pretty strong for
the 6 months that I've had it, but it has recently developed a problem. The
engine will start cutting out randomly (a couple times per second), especially
when the engine is cold. It occurs all the time but it's most noticeable
during acceleration. When it's not cutting out it seems to have the normal
full power. It has gotten worse every day for the last two weeks. Now the
engine idles so low that it nearly dies when shifting.

I've had a hot-start problem with the engine (about 5 cranks to get it going)
the entire time I've had it, and this new problem has compounded with it and
the engine simply will not start when hot. In fact it floods the engine and
fouls the spark plugs. I've also had a cold-start problem the entire time I've
had it. It takes 5-6 cranks to get it running when it's 30 degrees outside.
When it finally starts it idles very nicely. I've replaced the rotor cap and
spark plugs and tried a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to no avail. I can't
tell if the plug wires are in good shape but haven't replaced them yet since
they cost about $200. I ordered a fuel pressure gauge kit for the CIS
injection system so hopefully I'll be able to tell if I have a fuel or ignition
problem. From what I've read, the main suspects are the warm up regulator, the
cold-start valve, plug wires, and ignition coil/unit. Has anyone had a similar
problem?

Thanks,
Nick

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Cynic - 30 Dec 2003 19:11 GMT

I had a similar problem with a '78 SC. I went down the same path you appear
to be going. I tested the fuel pressure etc. I even replaced the warm up
regulator and fuel pump. Both were on the low side of the acceptable range.
Although each made improvements they didn't fix the problem entirely. I also
replaced some vacuum hoses, which also helped.

What really fixed the problem was WD40. I sprayed a lot of WD40 inside the
distributor. I did this 3 times with the engine cold let it sit over night,
did a test run and had dramatic improvement each time. The final time I did
it after the engine had been running for a while and the distributor was
hot, which fixed it. I assume the hot metal parts sucked in the oil better
than when it was cold.

The engine is running better now than when I got it 3 years ago. One of the
manuals indicated the problem could be sticking parts on the distributor. I
was talking to my father in-law, telling him I was going to have to pull the
distributor to oil and clean it. He suggested just spraying the heck out of
it with WD40 prior to pulling it.

It sure worked and it saved me a lot of work.

Gene

> I have a 1976 911S Targa with 221,000 that has been running pretty strong for
> the 6 months that I've had it, but it has recently developed a problem. The
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> Thanks,
> Nick

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Nixta78 - 22 Jan 2004 08:56 GMT

Gene,

Thanks for the advice. I tried the WD40 but it didn't help. But then I
replaced the ignition points and adjusted them properly and that fixed it! It
runs better than it ever did now. And I'm glad it was a $6 part and not a $300
part.

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