Starting Problem - Stalls, now doesn't fire up

[David T]

Hello,

I'm having a starting problem with my 1999 C2 Cabriolet. Originally, the car would fire-up but stall immediately. If I kept the gas pedal pressed a bit as soon as the engine fires, it keeps keeps running, but as soon as I let go it stalls.

The throttle body had build-up, so I cleaned it with Gumout. I didn't remove the throttle body, so I clean it as much as I could reach with the butterfly valve open. I spray some Gumout to the back of the throttle body, but didn't wipe it down since I couldn't reach it.

I also cleaned the MAF with electronic contact spray.

After reinstalling the airbox (with a relatively new OEM filter), the car won't even fire-up anymore. My battery is fine and I did everything with the battery disconnected and even tried again after waiting several hours with the battery disconnected.

Basically, now the engine won't turnover :(

- Could this be caused by my spraying of Gumout to the back of the throttle body?

- Is there a way to just help get the engine to fire-up in hopes that it blows out the leftover carbon that dripped down from spraying Gumout?

Any other ideas before I get it towed to the dealer?

Thanks,

David

[1999Porsche911]

Check that you connected the cable to the MAF correctly and tightly.

[ar38070]

Recheck everything that you disconnected and make sure all is tight.

From your initial symptoms I would say that you have an air or vacuum leak.

Even with a disconnected MAF the car should start if all else is okay.

Check your fuses i.e. fuel pump.

[David T]

Thanks for the quick response.

OK, just reconnected the MAF and made sure it's tight. Also waited with the battery disconnected to make sure everything resets. Still just cranks but no fire.

By the way, shouldn't the car startup even without the MAF connected?

Any other suggstions?

[Loren]

Gumout is just lacquer thinner - so if you go a lot into the intake I guess it could cause a flooded like condition. I would let it evaporate overnight and then try it again.

[David T]

Thanks Loren, will do.

One more question - is the throttle body hard to remove? Any instructions out there?

Thinking about taking the day off and give it a go before resigning to the dealer. Got AAA for the tow, but already losing $2800 when WG went belly-up makes any dealer repair that much more painful.

[Loren]

IMHO there is likely no reason to remove the throttle body (on a 996) to clean it. I would however remove and clean the idle speed control solenoid. (Only 99 C2's have this as egas did away with the need). Those things get really gummed up with carbon and the then stop working - making for a rough or hunting idle. In some cases where cleaning doesn't work they should be replaced.

Carefully remove the electrical connection and then the two (hex as I recall - or were they Torx?) screws. Be careful to not damage the paper gasket (or lose it). Clean it with the same injector cleaner then put it back on.

[David T]

I'm not familiar with the solenoid. Anyway you could give me an idea where it's located in reference to the throttle body?

A diagram would be great!

I know, I'm just a user - I need to donate. Will do now - I should have long time ago.

[Loren]

Item 7 below...

Thanks for your donation! :thumbup:

[David T]

Awesome, thank you!

Like I said, should have donated long time ago. Sorry.

Now I have a reason to take the day off :)

Will post my results in the AM.

[David T]

WOW! Loren, you are the man!

Still didn't startup this morning, so I cleaned the solenoid. Put everything back together and it fired right up (spit out some gunk).

Took it for a test drive and it runs like new. Pulls much harder than before. I'm surprised that cleaning the throttle body (possibly check solenoid) isn't part of the scheduled maintenance.

Anyway, thanks so much for saving me a dealer trip, making my car run so much better for under $3, and giving me the rest of the day off :)

This site is invaluable, you got another donation coming.

Thanks again,

David