Q –My 1978 928 is driving me nuts! It has been unreliable and I have really had a tough time getting someone to work on it who knows what to do. It starts then dies and it does this repeatedly. I took it to a local mechanic who I trust and he is pretty good but when I got it back, it was no better than when I took it in. When I can manage to get it started and running, it will go about two or three miles then performance deteriorates, it misfires and sometimes stalls and won’t restart until it cools off. I don’t know how it could have even been test driven. –Bill
A – Mid-70s cars with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection can be challenging, especially since that technology originated in the 50’s. To find someone who can diagnose it, you have to find a shop that was in business when these cars were new. The next criteria should be that they have techs that were trained by Bosch to service these cars. That part is tough since the majority of techs that I know who can diagnose these cars are retired! Finally, ask around and see who has done work for other club members. Diagnosing an old car is like peeling the layers of an onion. You just start at the outside and work your way in. If you have ever peeled an onion you know that you should expect some tears. As far as test driving the car, the shop that you choose should be unafraid to drive your car long enough to be utterly certain that the car will be reliable—20 to 100 miles should be expected. –MC