Coil pack problems, we think...

[MrH]

My 987 boxster has had to be recovered today after an engine management light popped up. It wasn't me using the car so awaiting the car and report courtesy of the AA later tonight.

Been told it was coil pack failure on cylinders 2 and 6, so is running on 4 cylinders.

My knowledge on engines etc is basic, so I have a coupe of q's:

Can the car be driven to a garage safely on 4 cylinders, as I need to get it from home to be fixed locally?

Does a coil pack serve 2 cylinders, as I understand its unusual for 2 to go, unless they are paired off, which may explain it?

Could there be any other damage, and what sort of figures to put right do we think?

Many thanks, Mark

[agtlaw]

No problem driving it. One per cylinder. Independent of each other. Get all six done. £400-£500 for six but depends where you take it.

[bobsan]

whats the mileage on vehicle ??

coil packs are common issue, replace yourself maybe, can be bought at most online car part outlet's, euro parts etc.

if not fitting your self, take to any good Porsche indie,OPC will charge considerably more, its an easy fix.

[MrH]

Mileage is 85k. Wouldn't know where to start myself. Porsche specialist beckons!

[Slippydiff]

Avoid driving it any further than is absolutely necessary, if a coil has failed the resultant unburnt fuel can damage the catalytic converter/s on that bank.

[Pope]

Porsche's coil manufacturer modified the coils late this year; if you replace them with genuine parts (the modified units have EM10 marked on them) they will last longer than the originals. A TI advises that all coils are replaced to the modified parts in one operation.

BTW :
- solid check engine light = stored fault in DME (drive to workshop if possible)
- flashing check engine light = malfunction that can lead to damage to Catalytic converter (recover vehicle to minimise expensive additional damage)

[MrH]

Just got the car back, and on the report are codes P0302 and P0306, so cylinders 2 and 6 misfiring.

[Pope]

Porsche DME system uses 1 per cylinder, direct ignition Coils; not double-ended or wasted spark as some systems are.

Visually inspect the coils - you'll probably see cracks or corrosion = problems