What happened?

[signifyingmonkey]

I own a 1984 911. I have owned this car for about a year. The car has run smooth, since the first drive. Just a few problems: oil temp always hot and loose connection at the battery. Over the winter months, I thought I would perform the routine maintenance (adjust valves, change the oil, change the trans fluid, change the spark plugs, fuel filter, cap and rotor)

I had a real problem with the number four spark plug, but I finally got it back in. I bought the platinum :oops: before I read the extensive warnings in the post in this forum. Also, drained the trans fluid and now can't get the plug out. :(

After getting the spark plug back in, I started the engine to hear rough sounding engine. It's not the smooth sounding engine I had grown used to hearing. But, now the oil temp is stone cold and it seems the eng temp is slower to move. It starts right up with no problem.

Is this a result of the plugs?

[Trak Ratt]

Loose plug wire, vacuum leak :? After starting, let it warm some then try unplugging each of the wire separately. See if any cause the engine to not run rougher. That's the loose one. Also, sometimes when you put a plug in it's possible to close the gap causing it not to fire.

[Vicegrip]

Also check to see of you have wires out of fireing order.

[Trak Ratt]

Ought to be a "rule" about using someone's photo for your avatar w/o permission. No wait I did that too :oops:

[cmartin]

Not clear from your post, did you adjust the valves? If the plugs are tight, wires are in the right hole and no vacuum lines are loose, check the valve adjustment.

[signifyingmonkey]

I did adjust the valves. That brings up another question. When I went to adjust the valves I noticed that a few where tight. I couldn't even get the gauge before loosening the nut. I thought that the valves may have needed loosening. Maybe they didn't?

[Rick V]

If the car started cold before, and had no idle issues your valves wern't to tight. Tight valves cause rough idle issues when the engine is cold. (internal vac leaks)

[Vicegrip]

Ought to be a "rule" about using someone's photo for your avatar w/o permission.

Please see avatar.

[tdatk]

I did adjust the valves. That brings up another question. When I went to adjust the valves I noticed that a few where tight. I couldn't even get the gauge before loosening the nut. I thought that the valves may have needed loosening. Maybe they didn't?

Not knowing your situation, What technique/proceedure did you use to adjust your valves? Do you have the Bently manual?

Tim

[signifyingmonkey]

I have the Haynes manual. I had adjusted the valves on a 914 I owned several years ago. Theoritically the same. I may need to see it done by someone more experienced, though.

[tdatk]

Yes ,the adjustment proceedure should be simular. Here is a link to some 911 proceedures to check. http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911tech_articles.htm

[Rick V]

I have the Haynes manual.
IMO, all you have is a good sorce for camp fire kindeling.

[signifyingmonkey]

Update

I checked the plug wires to feel for a loose plug. I got a couple of volts to the finger. I guess the problem was bad wires.