Discussion
Ok. First things first. Coil packs are a weak spot. Low mileage and regular service doesn't stop plastic hardening and wiring deteriorating. I bought one of those fault code scanners off Amazon. £37 next day delivery and it works.I had an engine light on and when I plugged in the scanner it told me a misfire on No.6 cylinder which is the plug my trusty independant porsche guy took out to check plug condition. I reset the code and all was well until Monday night when I took car to garage for surgery and it went again. Not a problem, he obviously disturbed it and it now needs replacing which is fine. So your problem on the same cylinder is either a plug as suggested or a coilpack. After market stuff is quite cheap so you will be fine.
Now back to the surgery. Engine out,2 studs broken on drivers side exhaust manifold. I was told to expect that there might be a couple of breakages such as this in the removal. A pain but not a crisis.
Drivers side cams removed and show wear. Located the dodgy tappet, probably. Discussions centre around what to replace. Whilst wear is evident, it's uniform, it's not "damage" and my man tells me if it was him he would accept that there is bound to be wear,but it unlikely that an overheat would cause it, that it is light wear and commensurate with age etc so don't change cams but do change all tappets on that side - 12 in all - but because he knows I am fussy - it is only a very light tappet noise after all - he is inclined to change cams as well. What he doesn't want to do is just change the tappets, put it all back and then find it still taps. Top cam is £500 odd plus vat. Lower cam is £400 odd plus vat (might be other way round)so if changing them and tappets plus misc bits and labour we are talking £3000 plus. He is going to check bores with endo-scope but anticipates this is just a noisy tappet plus coil pack misfire.I have said leave the cams thus saving £1200 in parts plus labour. Am I being brave/foolish/tight? I reckon if the wear is uniform and the cams "mike-up" within tolerance - which they do - it is a low risk strategy. If I am wrong and it taps when they start it up then it's gonna cost me about another £1500 and I have been a dick.
Incidentally, I am located in Hastings and the garage is located up the road. They seem very genuine and knowledgeable. Invited me up to look at the engine once it was removed. Place is littered with lots of Porsche - mainly air cooled it has to be said - and I have looked at some of their work rebuilding whole cars and engines for what looks like racing applications which is confidence inspiring plus their charges are reasonable. They also sell rebuilt cars. Anyway, that's the plan - watch this space
Now back to the surgery. Engine out,2 studs broken on drivers side exhaust manifold. I was told to expect that there might be a couple of breakages such as this in the removal. A pain but not a crisis.
Drivers side cams removed and show wear. Located the dodgy tappet, probably. Discussions centre around what to replace. Whilst wear is evident, it's uniform, it's not "damage" and my man tells me if it was him he would accept that there is bound to be wear,but it unlikely that an overheat would cause it, that it is light wear and commensurate with age etc so don't change cams but do change all tappets on that side - 12 in all - but because he knows I am fussy - it is only a very light tappet noise after all - he is inclined to change cams as well. What he doesn't want to do is just change the tappets, put it all back and then find it still taps. Top cam is £500 odd plus vat. Lower cam is £400 odd plus vat (might be other way round)so if changing them and tappets plus misc bits and labour we are talking £3000 plus. He is going to check bores with endo-scope but anticipates this is just a noisy tappet plus coil pack misfire.I have said leave the cams thus saving £1200 in parts plus labour. Am I being brave/foolish/tight? I reckon if the wear is uniform and the cams "mike-up" within tolerance - which they do - it is a low risk strategy. If I am wrong and it taps when they start it up then it's gonna cost me about another £1500 and I have been a dick.
Incidentally, I am located in Hastings and the garage is located up the road. They seem very genuine and knowledgeable. Invited me up to look at the engine once it was removed. Place is littered with lots of Porsche - mainly air cooled it has to be said - and I have looked at some of their work rebuilding whole cars and engines for what looks like racing applications which is confidence inspiring plus their charges are reasonable. They also sell rebuilt cars. Anyway, that's the plan - watch this space
Hello,
Has he not at least checked the condition of the liner with a borescope...? Takes 10 mins when engine out. That way you are 100% sure as to what os causing the tapping.
We have just had an engine from another garage that they have misdiagnosed and it was piston/liner.
Took us 5 mins to diagnose this.
Mike
Has he not at least checked the condition of the liner with a borescope...? Takes 10 mins when engine out. That way you are 100% sure as to what os causing the tapping.
We have just had an engine from another garage that they have misdiagnosed and it was piston/liner.
Took us 5 mins to diagnose this.
Mike
Yeah didn't I say? Boroscope inspection comes up clear so it definitely top end. The cam wear is completely uniform and the micrometer confirms def in tolerance. I suppose there has to be some evidence of wear. It has done about 37,000 miles which ain't a lot but never the less it's not new anymore. It should be in course of re-assembly now - I resist the temptation to call the garage! - and I should have it back tomorrow or Monday. My cost estimate is around 2 grand which whilst cheesing me off is less than it could have been. So fingers crossed. It should be nigh on the perfect car when I get it back. It came with Pzero rossos with rubber casting "whiskers" still attached all round. Not a mark on its seal grey exterior, perfect dark blue interior, came with new Porsche mats. I have replaced all discs, pads and fluid. It has new front coil springs and it has just been serviced. On reflection, I didn't like the oil choice the garage put in it so as soon as I got it home, from the service, I drained it and replaced it with Mobil one - call me a fuss pot! So I am raring to go
L200animal said:
Yeah didn't I say? Boroscope inspection comes up clear so it definitely top end. The cam wear is completely uniform and the micrometer confirms def in tolerance. I suppose there has to be some evidence of wear. It has done about 37,000 miles which ain't a lot but never the less it's not new anymore. It should be in course of re-assembly now - I resist the temptation to call the garage! - and I should have it back tomorrow or Monday. My cost estimate is around 2 grand which whilst cheesing me off is less than it could have been. So fingers crossed. It should be nigh on the perfect car when I get it back. It came with Pzero rossos with rubber casting "whiskers" still attached all round. Not a mark on its seal grey exterior, perfect dark blue interior, came with new Porsche mats. I have replaced all discs, pads and fluid. It has new front coil springs and it has just been serviced. On reflection, I didn't like the oil choice the garage put in it so as soon as I got it home, from the service, I drained it and replaced it with Mobil one - call me a fuss pot! So I am raring to go
Not a great start but it sounds like you're all set to start enjoying it now. Seal Grey is the best colour by the way, just need some pics now 
ok all done, new tappets, new coil packs (6). They broke a couple of studs on exhaust manifold, various gaskets, bolts and seals.Changed oil (again, as porsche insist on Mobil 1 or the guarantee on tappets is voided, can't be bothered to argue, it is new oil) and regas the aircon. Tappets were £790, coil packs were 214.63. Total parts 1238.84 and labour was £1000. Runs smoothly, tappet noise gone but not the quietest engine - who me paranoid - is it my imagination but it seems a tad sharper. Starts absolutely instantly and pulls really well. Must now settle down to enjoy it
More power? Not sure yet. Seems like it may have had a slight misfire or hesitation before which is gone. That could be a product of new plugs and coil packs. haven'e really pushed it yet. I will check all levels tonight and then assuming all is well wazz up and down my private test track
L200animal said:
More power? Not sure yet. Seems like it may have had a slight misfire or hesitation before which is gone. That could be a product of new plugs and coil packs. haven'e really pushed it yet. I will check all levels tonight and then assuming all is well wazz up and down my private test track
When I first got mine three years ago I had two or three misfires, all involved coil packs so they were all replaced. Took me a while to relax & enjoy driving it rather than wondering if something was going to go wrong with it! To be fair, nothing else (apart from the clutch) has gone wrong in three years 
Get out there & enjoy it, they only seem to make sense when you're enjoying them to the full
next step - improvements. I think the exhaust will need replacing in forseeable future, or at least the cans. Any suggestions? I don't want to pay silly money. On that subject, why is there no protection from the stuff thrown up by the back wheels? Surely some sort of shielding could be devised which would extend the life of the mufflers? Or is it just my car that doesn't have them. The nearside is showing signs of corrosion on the bottom seem
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff