[germanspeed]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if someone that has a 964 or knows alot about them could help me diagnose some issues i am having with my new p-car. It seems to have lost some power in the short time i've owned it. It is ticking really loud at idle esp. when cold. Doesn't seem to hold engine temp to save it's life (which isn't really a bad thing i guess) I need a second opinion from someone in the northern VA area. Anyone free to meet up this weekend?

Mark

[racer]

I think most of your pool of help is at Summit Point from today till sunday

[cmartin]

Ticking? Can you determine where the noise is coming from? I had a chain tensioner fail, but it only made noise at start up. You have oil, right? Check for a busted distributor belt.

[Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by cmartin

Check for a busted distributor belt.

That was my first thought, too.

[Bill]

classic dist belt symptoms. check it first. usually not a problem to drive but I have heard of several really destructive outcomes so make sure to check quickly. Bill

[Richard Curtis]

I'll be home Sunday afternoon, if that's any help. But i'd also suggest checking that distributor belt.

[germanspeed]

Thanks for the advice guys i will check the belt as soon as i get home. I still would like someone that knows 964's to take a look at mine sometime soon to get some second opinions on other issues im having...

[Eric S]

Real wrenches can chime in with technically correct info, but here is my 2 cents...

964's are obviously a twin plug/dual distributor configuration. While less than optimal, the engine can run on one distributor/set of plugs. You can run on just the primary by disconnecting the coil wire to the secondary distributor. If it is a broken distributor belt, you would be best off not running the engine unless you disconnect the second coil. It depends on where the rotor is positioned when it stopped - it could be innocuous if it is between contacts and doesn't arc, but if it is in position to arc to a single cylinder on every spark, then it can damage that cylinder because it is firing at the (many) wrong times in the compresion cycle.

One easy test is to remove the distributor caps and watch to see if both rotors turn; if they do, then the belt is there; if they don't, it's broken.

[germanspeed]

Well i am happy to report that I pulled the signal wire for the primary distributor and the car still started and ran just fine so the secondary distributor is still running so no broken belt!!! I may just need a valve adjustment since i still hear a ticking when the car is at Idle. How dangerous is it to run the car if the valves haven't been adjusted for 15k miles+? Am i just being a paranoid porsche owner???

[cmartin]

Sounds like it. Relax. Go for a drive. On your way home buy some oil filters, oil, valve cover gaskets and a 6 pack.