996 Turbo spoiler rams leaking - who can fix it??

[Ollylan]

Hi guys

I know I won't be the only 996tt owner with this problem so I wondered if anyone has had any luck fixing their leaking spoiler rams or if you know anywhere (Yorkshire area) where to take it?! My spoiler is now stuck in the down position and my spoiler warning light come on at 75mph.

From what I've read it could cost up to £1500 to fit new rams etc, although there are some people that say you can fix the leaks?

Any info or advice would be great

[chriscoates81]

I've bodged mine in the poser position (up) with a kit from eBay as I refuse to pay so much for some rams. I'm currently saving up for an aerokit replacement.

[Chlorothalonil]

You can usually get them working easily enough, I did mine with some Lucas Stop
Leak but it is still misting with oil at the bottom of each ram, but now works perfectly.

Where in Yorkshire are you?

[Ollylan]

In Hull, East Yorkshire. How can you top up the fluid though as it seems to be a sealed unit?

Thanks for all the replies 👍

[JimVVC]

Most specialists won't touch them preferring to replace the lot at a cost of £1500-2000.

I had a missing pump when I bought my Turbo, I managed to source a faulty second hand pump and rebuilt it, 4 months on it's still working perfectly.

There are some guides online on how to top the fluid up/bleed the system and as already mentioned, power steering stop leak is good to use. I removed the banjo bolts at the bottom of the rams and filled the lines and rams up using a syringe. Bleeding is a little difficult (but I had to also replace the pump so the system was full of air) we bled it in a similar way to bleeding the brakes on a car, with someone operating the spoiler from inside the car.

A specialist kindly let me take these photos which may be helpful to you.











For anyone interested, this is what I found when the defective pump was opened up, the result of imbalanced rams!






I had a local engineering shop make up a replacement part to hold the pistons in place (they made 2 if anyone else has the same problem)

Edited by JimVVC on Saturday 9th May 11:08

[Steve Maund]

Give Revolution Porsche a call.
Best Indie I know in Yorkshire

[Chlorothalonil]

Ollylan said:

In Hull, East Yorkshire. How can you top up the fluid though as it seems to be a sealed unit?

Thanks for all the replies ??

I am not that far away, in Driffield, if you choose to refill them and need a hand.

[chriscoates81]

Didn't realise there were so many owners in the area. I live in Beverley. Don't suppose either of you have a louder exhaust on your turbos?

[Ollylan]

Mines all standard (hence why I'd prefer to get the spoiler working rather than fit an after market one.

So unfortunately I can help you with the loud exhaust, although I'd be interested to see what is recommended to you.

Beverly is close to me have you any pics of your 996tt and I'll look out for you

[Ollylan]

Chlorothalonil said:

I am not that far away, in Driffield, if you choose to refill them and need a hand.

Appreciate this I may well be in touch. Does it sound like it might be pretty straight forward?

[Ollylan]

JimVVC said:

Most specialists won't touch them preferring to replace the lot at a cost of £1500-2000.

I had a missing pump when I bought my Turbo, I managed to source a faulty second hand pump and rebuilt it, 4 months on it's still working perfectly.

There are some guides online on how to top the fluid up/bleed the system and as already mentioned, power steering stop leak is good to use. I removed the banjo bolts at the bottom of the rams and filled the lines and rams up using a syringe. Bleeding is a little difficult (but I had to also replace the pump so the system was full of air) we bled it in a similar way to bleeding the brakes on a car, with someone operating the spoiler from inside the car.

A specialist kindly let me take these photos which may be helpful to you.











For anyone interested, this is what I found when the defective pump was opened up, the result of imbalanced rams!






I had a local engineering shop make up a replacement part to hold the pistons in place (they made 2 if anyone else has the same problem)

Edited by JimVVC on Saturday 9th May 11:08

Thanks so much for all this information! Really appreciate it

[s3nick]

This is great info.

Many thanks.

[Chlorothalonil]

chriscoates81 said:

Didn't realise there were so many owners in the area. I live in Beverley. Don't suppose either of you have a louder exhaust on your turbos?

Exhaust fund going on the house so it is standard at the moment.

[Chlorothalonil]

Ollylan said:

Appreciate this I may well be in touch. Does it sound like it might be pretty straight forward?

Mine was, once I had figured it all put and refilled. The other issue might be to do with the microswitches.

[chriscoates81]

Ollylan said:

Mines all standard (hence why I'd prefer to get the spoiler working rather than fit an after market one.

So unfortunately I can help you with the loud exhaust, although I'd be interested to see what is recommended to you.

Beverly is close to me have you any pics of your 996tt and I'll look out for you

I'm on my phone so I can't upload pics but it's a silver turbo that I use on the daily commute to willerby.

[Storm996]

I have my 996 turbo 2002 pump which was working perfectly when I took it off to put on a fixed wing instead.

I keep meaning to put it on here for sale in the classifieds (just the pump with the tubes).

What is thought to be a reasonable price to ask for it?

[geresey]

Do a search on rennlist site, there is a detailed fix it yourself guide someone has written up. Haven't done it myself though

[Ollylan]

All done!

Me and a mate (who is pretty good with stuff like this) fixed it! Took out the full system and took the pump to bits, fitted new o rings etc and refilled with a 50:50 ratio of Lucas power steering stop leak and power steering fluid.
All works 100% so far!

[Chlorothalonil]

That's the stuff I mentioned in an earlier post. Mine are misting slightly where the hoses connect but it is not bad and I can always top up if needs be.

Good job done and a fortune saved.

[Rockster]

Chlorothalonil said:

That's the stuff I mentioned in an earlier post. Mine are misting slightly where the hoses connect but it is not bad and I can always top up if needs be.

Good job done and a fortune saved.

If spoiler hydraulic fluid is leaking that's not good. The stuff is pretty nasty and should be kept off of rubber and wiring harness insulation and I'd avoid it getting on any painted surfaces too, just in case it is harmful to paint.