Help -poor cold starting, wayward rev counter and backfiring

ross.mcw · Post by **ross.mcw** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:26 pm

Hi,

My car's been a bit tricky start from cold since I picked it up in the New Year, but I figured this was probably just me not knowing how to start these old 911s properly. But having had chance to use it a bit more over this weekend, I think the ignition circuit needs some sorting.

The rev counter's also whacky at best, and tends to drop to zero when I lift off the throttle which I think is almost certainly related.

Today, the car also started idling poorly and cutting out at traffic lights and backfiringwhen on no throttle. When it backfires, the rev counter also jumps back up the dial.

I thought it might be condenser, but looking at it, I think mine doesn't have one (1972 T with Zenith carbs).

The points look okay but the rotor and distributor cap look a bit worn, so I figure the first thing I'll do is change those.

Are these the kinds of things I can just pick up in Halfords? (I'm guessing not).

Any other tips? From reading a few posts, I'm really hoping that it's not a problem with the CDI.

The car starts okay when hot and runs fine when on the throttle.

Cheers, Ross.

Post by **Bootsy** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:34 pm

Very similar symptoms to when my CDI gave up the ghost.

bjmullan · Post by **bjmullan** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:14 pm

I would suspect the spark (points or condenser) and no you can't pick them up at Halfords. I get most of my stuff from Euro Car Parts and my points from Lucas UK. They are also a number of Porsche specialist where you can get these things as well.

http://www.partsforporsche.co.uk/osc/
http://www.design911.co.uk/index.htm?Region=UK
http://www.eurocarparts.com/
http://www.type-911.co.uk/home.htm
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/
http://www.lsuk.co.uk/

ross.mcw · Post by **ross.mcw** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:17 pm

I really hope it's not the CDI.

Many thanks for those links - I'll take a look and replace all the easy bits first and see if that helps.

btw, sorry - I just realised, I'm not sure I should have posted this query in this board.

Cheers, Ross.

ross.mcw · Post by **ross.mcw** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:35 pm

Looks like GSF have a branch just up the road from my office which is handy so I'll pick up a cap and rotor from them. I'll maybe get some new leads while I'm at it as I've no idea how old the ones are that are on there.

Will also order some points from Lucas (although I'm not sure how tricky they are to swap).

After that I'll swap the coil before worrying about the CDI.

Cheers, Ross.