[Jase007]

Welcome Ahmad/Lufty

[Len 911]

Hello new to this forum, I just bought a 85 911 3.2 and I would like to talk to someone local that knows about them.I live in Baltimor MD Bowley's Quarters Area. I am learning and have a few questions.
The motor idles rough and has a miss to it. Feels like it is not running at it's max. Would like to talk about what could be wrong so I am not just throwing money at it and chasing the problem.
Besides I would like to meet new friends.

[roundel]

Originally Posted by Len 911

Hello new to this forum,

Hey. I am by Loch Raven reservoir so i am pretty close to you. I have an 86 911 and have done a bit of work on it myself, but I cannot claim to know how to rectify a rough running condition.

[Len 911]

Originally Posted by roundel

Hey. I am by Loch Raven reservoir so i am pretty close to you. I have an 86 911 and have done a bit of work on it myself, but I cannot claim to know how to rectify a rough running condition.

I would like to meet some day and take a look at your car. Maybe you could give me a few pointers of what to do and not to do.

Is there a place you take your car for service or do you do it all yourself ?

[86911TLCAB]

welcome to the board...rough idle could be caused by multiple things...pull the idle control and clean it out with carb cleaner...see if that helps...then i would start with the basics and change out the spark plugs and have valves adjusted...do compression test on the cylinders and a leakdown test if you can...then change out the cap and rotor...and make sure the plug wires are all good...thats a start...it is a good way to start learning about the car.

[VaSteve]

Welcome Len!

This is a good bunch here.....we have a lot of good information and folks that can help you out.

[roundel]

Originally Posted by Len 911

Is there a place you take your car for service or do you do it all yourself ?

I have a garage with a lift and do 90+% myself. I had Ralfs Automotive in Owings Mills replace a fuel line and recently two crank position sensors. He is a guru and nice guy.

Tito's list includes the advice I would give regarding your rough running. I have replaced plugs and adjusted the valves on mine. Neither are that bad but a lift really helps with the valve adjustment.

[Len 911]

Originally Posted by 86911TLCAB

welcome to the board...rough idle could be caused by multiple things...pull the idle control and clean it out with carb cleaner...see if that helps...then i would start with the basics and change out the spark plugs and have valves adjusted...do compression test on the cylinders and a leakdown test if you can...then change out the cap and rotor...and make sure the plug wires are all good...thats a start...it is a good way to start learning about the car.

Is there anyone that would be willing to help me out on the valve adjustment and leakdown test. I would rather give some money to a fellow Porsche owner then to pay a shop. Plus this would help me learn more about it. I don't mind getting my hands in there.

[APKhaos]

Wellcome Len!
I had an 85 and loved it. Its a great car, and typically dead nuts reliable engine. Sounds like Roundel has you covered for local help sorting out the idle too.

[Dr K]

Welcome, Len.

A couple of thoughts assuming it runs rough/miss, and not just idle (idle alone would likely be the control valve, which is in front of where the air intake takes a 90-degree turn down towards the engine, right in front of it, with an electrical plug going into it--it's a bypass of the big butterfly valve right behind it).

Question: does it smooth out at wide-open throttle (WOT)?

DME - try just swapping out a DME with a well-running car.
Check your grounds - both the multiple brown wires bolted to the engine just underneath the heater fan duct (looking from the back, on the left near the rear fuse box), and also from the transmission to the body, which is at the base of the firewall (behind/below the rear seats) just to the passenger side of the engine. Loose or worn grounds can cause quite a bit of issue, and this is a common problem.
Agree with all the suggestions from Tito.
Might be your fuel pressure regulator (at the end of the drivers-side fuel rail, towards the front of the car), or one or more injectors. These are a little more expensive.

Peter