Trouble starting Cayman 987 from cold
Discussion
Hi, I have a Cayman S 2010 (manual). I've noticed it doesnt like starting from the cold, as it's essentially a weekend car this is a bit of a worry. If I leave it for a few days it takes quite a bit of cranking (at least 15s) before it coughs into life, it'll be fine then for the rest if the day. It's always only the first time I start it when it's been left. Could this be the battery? I've had a look and it's a non standard battery but I've heard they go through them quite quickly....
I've also heard things about the injectors so do now wondering about them too. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks
I've also heard things about the injectors so do now wondering about them too. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks
I’m not a mechanic, so I’ll get that out the way to qualify anything I say is Just experience and not necessarily sound knowledge!
My first thought with starting problems is the battery first and work from there. Battery is a common one and normally (in other cars, not a Porsche!) cheap to rectify. Apart from cranking the battery has a lot to do during starting. It runs the electrical system, ignition, fuel boost pumps. Whilst the car might be cranking that’s no sign all is well on the battery front as anyone of the other functions could be sub optimal with a tired battery because the cranking is drawing all its muscles.
Have you tried giving it a charge? The one thing that may point to battery is starting is fine once used. I don’t know how much driving you’re doing or how long you let the car sit, ie enough to cool to ambient, if it’s longer journeys then the charge from the alternator maybe enough to give it a burst of life. It’s probably not holding charge very well over longer periods.
Beyond that can’t help as without any symptoms it’s a guessing game. I’ve no idea of other common starting faults on a 987 apart from a battery. Good luck and keep us posted.
My first thought with starting problems is the battery first and work from there. Battery is a common one and normally (in other cars, not a Porsche!) cheap to rectify. Apart from cranking the battery has a lot to do during starting. It runs the electrical system, ignition, fuel boost pumps. Whilst the car might be cranking that’s no sign all is well on the battery front as anyone of the other functions could be sub optimal with a tired battery because the cranking is drawing all its muscles.
Have you tried giving it a charge? The one thing that may point to battery is starting is fine once used. I don’t know how much driving you’re doing or how long you let the car sit, ie enough to cool to ambient, if it’s longer journeys then the charge from the alternator maybe enough to give it a burst of life. It’s probably not holding charge very well over longer periods.
Beyond that can’t help as without any symptoms it’s a guessing game. I’ve no idea of other common starting faults on a 987 apart from a battery. Good luck and keep us posted.
Edited by Buggyjam on Friday 6th July 16:51
Ultrafunkula said:
I'm using it at the weekend (I usually drive it 1-2 he's per day) but only one night per week. I've only had the car a couple of weeks though. I will probably change the battery for a heavy duty one before the weather cools so will see if that helps I guess!
I work away a lot and use a Ctek battery conditioner to keep the battery topped up. On the 987, the ciggie lighter socket is constant live so all you do is plug the charger into an extension lead at one end, select the right program and plug in the 12v adaptor into the car socket. Keeps the battery nicely conditioned. You can lock the car too as the door shuts easily over the wire due the rubber seal. Porsche sell one called the electromat I believe. It’s just a ctek rebranded that costs a bit more. You can buy them cheaper elsewhere.Worth investing it incase you need to test or charge up a battery that’s sluggish. If it’s been charged before leaving it in the week and it does turn out that your battery that’s dieing in the week there’s something wrong with it. They should last a fair amount of weeks off a full charge without going flat.
Just to throw a little doubt on the battery theory. When my battery eventually failed it went from firing on-the-button to not able to crank after recharging when once left for 3-months over winter.
Are you leaving sufficient time for the ECU to do all its checks? Are you getting false messages about the clutch not being pressed? Could it be in need of new spark plug coils?
My 987 Boxster is regularly not driven for over a week, but always tends to fire quickly, first time. So I suspect what you are experiencing is not normal.
Are you leaving sufficient time for the ECU to do all its checks? Are you getting false messages about the clutch not being pressed? Could it be in need of new spark plug coils?
My 987 Boxster is regularly not driven for over a week, but always tends to fire quickly, first time. So I suspect what you are experiencing is not normal.
My 987.2 S used to be a bit like that, took a while to start when I'd left it for a few days, then instant starting next time. The high pressure fuel pump had a small oil leak so I had it replaced and it never exhibited the cold starting problem again, even starting on the first turn when I'd left it for 3-4 weeks. Not something you can really test without replacing it and it's a beast of a job to do (requires a partial engine drop I believe to get at it).
The early 987.2 S and 997.2 I believe had a recall to have the HPFP replaced as there was a dodgy batch but suspect yours was after that (mine's a late 2011 so wasn't part of that).
It's probably not that but figured I'd mention it as the symptoms are similar to what mine did.
The early 987.2 S and 997.2 I believe had a recall to have the HPFP replaced as there was a dodgy batch but suspect yours was after that (mine's a late 2011 so wasn't part of that).
It's probably not that but figured I'd mention it as the symptoms are similar to what mine did.
It was a tiny oil leak, so small that it didn't drip on the ground. You could only see if it you jacked up the car (or laid on the ground with phone pointing up) and I only had it done as I was about to embark on a Euro road trip so wanted the car 100%. Was advised it was so small a leak that it was unlikely to cause an issue. Had it not leaked I'd have happily lived with the starting issue.
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