71 914-6 with cold starting issues

[71 sixer]

Greetings.

Hope you don't mind me posting to your 911 forum given my car was manufactured from Porsche with a 911 T engine. I just acquired a restored, numbers matching bone stock 914-6 from the original owner. Feel very fortunate; he even had the original window sticker! The PO had not driven the car much the last several years. When I got the car about 6 weeks ago I took it to a Porsche shop that has worked on 911's, 914's and 356's for about 30 years here in Brentwood, TN. They completely serviced the car including: adjust the valves, major tune up, replaced transmission bushings and all fluids. The car now runs beautifully. It is such a pleasure to drive. (will add I have found a gas station close by selling non ethenol fuel).

Having said the above, the car is quite the cold starter. (I have owned a 1964 SC Couple before and am familiar with finicky carburaters & how to start them). My start procedure is to pump the accelerator about four to five times before turning the key. As I turn the key, I depress the accelerator about 1/2 way down. The car will almost immediately start, but then quickly die. I might have to do this about two to three times before the car remains running. (the car has a manual choke and I will use it once started). Again, once warmed up the car runs beautifully.

Suggestions/ideas or advice?

[Reza]

sounds like Raj days, just give it more time. i have a 71 T and my hand throttle cable has too much play to give any throttle. So once the car is started, i just have to keep lightly blipping the gas pedal for about 2-3 minutes in the summer and 5+ minutes in the winter, to prevent the cold engine from dying. these old aircooled cars can take 20 minutes to reach full operating warmth, so bring a good book.

Enjoy your car!

[1QuickS]

I'm in the specalized business of remanufacturing Webers for six cylinder Porsche engines and test run every pair after reassembly on a cold engine. My starting procedure never varies and consists of:
-allowing fuel time to refill float wells (ten seconds)
-two strokes of the throttle levers (performed slowly to assure full measure of fuel delivery)
-start engine without cracking throttles open and without any throttle pedal pumping.

This works EVERY time and is performed before adjusting idle air screws, mixture screws, float levels and side-to-side balance; these are all bench set to nominals prior to starting. Initial settings are 1/2 turn open on the throttle stop screws, two turns open on the mixture screws and two turns open on the air speed screws. I "blueprint" the floats and per-shim them while on the bench with the result that they are usually within 0.010" of final shim configuration, checked while the engine is running.

I'd review the carburetors for tuning and fuel delivery pressure (3 to 3 1/2 psi) as well as checking for other mechanical/electrical adjustments. My Technical web page provides tune-up info and there are plenty of other resources for the same info.

Your 914/6 is a really nice find!

[71 sixer]

Guys,

Thank you very much for the comments, advice and suggestions! I think it is boils down to learning the right way to start the car. Have learned a few more techniques from the comments made.

Attached are a few more pictures and the original window sticker for the car.

[JKH]

That looks like a car that was in Washington state .

[gulf908]

Great looking car and it sounds as if you did the buy in the best possible way !
When you have sorted out the starting hiccup,make sure you drive and enjoy on a regular basis.
What procedure does your drivers manual give about starting ?
Also make sure you change the silver coil to a black Bosch unit shortly as the silver Brazilian coils have a poor reputation.

Cheers,
Dennis.