DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Hi all

I am hoping someone can help. I have to admit that unlike the majority of posts on here, sadly I am not the most knowledgable 'yet' when it comes to engines; I certainly read others posts with intrigue and respect. I'm much more talented at other restoration and detailing work.

I have a '72 911T which was converted to 2.7 by Bob Watson for racing. It was up and running about 2 years ago (see video) and went in to storage (barn with mice), and I can't get it fired up (see other video). It has a cold start button but no idea if that's doing anything - previous owners said the cold start was a bit of a pig. I've attached videos of it running 2 years ago, and my failed attempts to turn it over now. I wondered if it was a typical cold start issue or maybe a wiring issue.

I wonder if anyone had some advise for what I could try. Or if anyone is around Surbiton in Surrey and wants to take a look (and take for a drive if successful), happy to swap for a nice bottle of something. It might not run well after it's race days, but it should start; just not sure what I'm missing.

Start up 2 years ago before going in to storage:

https://vimeo.com/727522642

Recent failed attempt to start:

https://vimeo.com/727520469

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks for reading.

How olds the petrol

Gummed up injectors.

I would drain the fuel and put in some new premium fuel.
Then check that fuel is actually getting into the engine bay as the fuel pump could be gummed up.
If new fuel is coming through and still no start then take a plug out, turn it over and check for a spark.
If still no go then take out one of the injectors and check fuel comes out when the engine is turned over.
Then if still no go consider going to the pub and praying to the Porsche gods

Thanks all. There was a drop of fuel in there that would have been almost 2 years old. The gauge was showing totally empty so I did add a petrol can of new fuel. So I'm hoping the fuel is ok. I also don't have an easy way to get under and drain it (car is parked in a tiny lockup away from my home).

Plugs, dizzy and leads were all brand new and cars only drove 1-2 miles since, however I guess something could be loose or have been attacked by the mice that have left a loads of nut shells on the engine mounts

So gummed up fuel pump and/or injectors. Are either of those easy enough to clear? and any guidance on what I could try? Can I even squirt a drop of fuel manually in to the top of the stacks to see if all is good, and therefore point at a fuel delivery issue?

Really appreciate you all taking the time to advice a total mechanical novice.

Where abouts are you in Surrey ?

Unlikely to be gummed up injectors with MFI
Is the electric fuel pump running? You should hear it run and the petrol circulating when you switch on the ignition.
Have you got a spark? Be careful to earth out the spark plug and hold it firm with something well insulated.
If it has a cold start button, use it ONLY while the engine is cranking.

JW

PeterK wrote: ↑Thu Jul 07, 2022 9:04 am Where abouts are you in Surrey ?

In Surbiton. Still have your old bonnet here

jwhillracer wrote: ↑Thu Jul 07, 2022 12:15 pm Unlikely to be gummed up injectors with MFI
Is the electric fuel pump running? You should hear it run and the petrol circulating when you switch on the ignition.
Have you got a spark? Be careful to earth out the spark plug and hold it firm with something well insulated.
If it has a cold start button, use it ONLY while the engine is cranking.

JW

I think the fuel pump is running, there is certainly a loud whirring noise and a sound like fuel rushing through the car when the key is turned.

Has a cold start button, which doesn't make any noise to suggest it is doing anything, but I was doing it before cranking the engine. Will try again.

You might laugh, but I've not ever had to test for a spark on any of the 30 odd cars I've owned, so that'll be the next job I will be goggling how to do

Is this James the 996 guy from facebook.?
I would check fuel delivery is present at the MFI fuel filter. ? Check it's present on the inlet side, then the outlet side. To check it's not the mesh regulator not opening. If all is well you can do the fuel delivery check into the pump. The MFI pump needs the correct fuel to fire up. If all is well at the pump you can eliminate fuel problem.
Dave

stretch wrote: ↑Thu Jul 07, 2022 2:13 pm Is this James the 996 guy from facebook.?
I would check fuel delivery is present at the MFI fuel filter. ? Check it's present on the inlet side, then the outlet side. To check it's not the mesh regulator not opening. If all is well you can do the fuel delivery check into the pump. The MFI pump needs the correct fuel to fire up. If all is well at the pump you can eliminate fuel problem.
Dave

Indeed Dave. Sold 2 of my 996's and have 1 more to sell, to focus on my '88 and '72 restos.

I'll check what you mentioned along with the spark. Hopefully I get all 250 horses back up and running.

Is the fuel pump one under the front of the tank ? if it is I would give it a knock with a soft hammer, on my old one a couple of years ago mine sounded like yours and I used to get sediment dragged into the pump, hit it (gently!) with a hammer and it always started.

Phib

If it’s original 1972 the fuel pump will be underneath the left rear of the car, just behind the torsion tube.
JW

No, the car had a 2.4E engine put in by PARR/David Lees back in the 80s and then Bob Watson converted to 2.7 spec around 2005, so pump is tucked up in the engine bay.

I did speak to David Philipson another of its previous owners and he said the fuel pipe would sometimes struggle to pull fuel through from the front of the car, and it does smell quite strong of petrol in the front compared to my other car, so I’m wondering if there is a issue closer to the tank than the pump.

You shouldn’t have any petrol smell from the front of the car. Check out all of your flexible hoses. I’ve just had to replace some that were supposedly suitable for ethanol, and have only been on the car 7 years. They were going porous.
JW