924Board.org

[StienbargerR]

What is the likelyhood that my car has an intake manifold gasket leak? When I try to start it, it cranks, but doesnt do anything else. Sometimes it will get a spark, and a backfire, which causes a bit of smoke to rise from underneath the throttlebody, near the gasket of the intake manifold. Is this a good guess? I will probably order sparkplug wires and a gasket tmr. Anyone know what the difficulty level is when removing the intake manifold? Also, while I have everything apart, are there any things I should do?

Thanks,
Ryan

[fergie]

Is the cam timing set? Sounds like if its backfiring out the intake, that or the ignition timing could be your problem. Even with an intake manifold leak, if you are sure that you have compression, fuel, and spark, it should try to start, assuming everything is timed. If you have the cam timed, check and make sure you are getting enough fuel and a good spark. Check the ignition timing as well. You should be able to narrow down what could be wrong with this process.
_________________
1996 Honda del Sol Si Turbo
1977.5 Porsche 924 (for sale)

[Min]

[Ozzie]

Ditto what Fergie said.
Check ign and valve timing.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

[StienbargerR]

It was running 4 months ago. What I'm sort of afraid of is that maybe the previous owner lied to me, and there is a mechanical issue. When I looked in the car, the oil well was pretty well dry. eek! Anyway, I figured its out of time, so I will try to get it in time myself. I went and bought ignition wires and the gasket today online. The ignition wires are in bad shape, so maybe it isnt getting a good spark. How difficult is it to get it in time? I've heard a few ways of doing it, but what is the easiest? Should I just have some shop do it for me? I would like them to perform a basic tune up and check on it for me. My christmas present from my dad this year is a diagnostic test/tune up from a shop. (Im only 16.) But he is 'taking his time' about getting it scheduled. So I want to get some buddies of mine to help me get her running in the mean time. Will the haynes way of getting it in time suffice?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Min]

I recommend against having a shop do it. Do a search using the boards search function, proper timing procedure has come up previously. Look for posts by the more knowledgable members of the board. (gohim, vaughn, etc)
You should be able to time it using the instructions and some common hand tools.

Min

[Ozzie]

Always have a look in the garage first about timing.
http://www.924.org/techsection/GarageFAQ.htm
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

[StienbargerR]

Doesn anyone know of a good ingition timing tutorial? I need a static timing one, cause my car wont run.

Ryan

[fergie]

To get the ignition timing set close enough that the engine will start, first turn the engine so the #1 cylinder is top dead center on the compression stroke, as according to the mark on the crank pulley. Take off the valve cover and make sure both valves on the #1 cylinder are closed (Once again this is assuming your cam timing is set properly). With the cap off the distributor, mark on the side of it where the rotor is pointing while at tdc. When you put the cap back on, put the #1 plug wire terminal so it will line up with the mark on the distributor, but will spark just a little after tdc (no more than a couple degrees). Then make sure the firing order is right with all the wires. This should be good enough that it will start.

Before doing this you should at least check if the cam timing marks are lined up so you dont waste your time setting the ignition. I believe there are timing marks both on the front and rear of the cam pulley. The one on the front of it lines up with the pointer on the valve cover when the engine is at #1 cylinder tdc. This is how mine was set up anyways. If that one doesnt line up check the mark on the back of the pulley.
_________________
1996 Honda del Sol Si Turbo
1977.5 Porsche 924 (for sale)

[Paul]

Make sure your cold start valve is working. A lean mixture while cranking can cause a backfire.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[Ozzie]

The mark on the front of the cam pulley is way off- don't use it for aligning the cam with the crank.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

[bass gt]

Always check the most obvious and simple things first. 95% of problems boil down to the same 5% of faults!
I had exactly the same issue a week or so ago. Turns out when i fited the new HT leads, i got cylinder 3&4 reversed. Duh!
She would crank over, and all sorts of weird things would go on!!!

Steve

[StienbargerR]

Today I put on the new ignition wires on. The old ones were crap. Anyway, she cranked nicely, but still no running. And as soon as I stopped cranking it, I heard a loud dripping noise. I go look under the car, and there is a big puddle of gas right underneath the front part of the engine. It looks like it came from somewhere near the alternator. (Guessing from where the center of the puddle was) Anyway, I couldn't find any wet parts around the engine. Any ideas? It seemed like alot of gas was on the ground too. Is it possible that its from the manifold?

Ryan

[Ozzie]

You need to have someone crank while you look.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance