porsche engine power loss that so far foxes the experts
porsche engine power loss that so far foxes the experts
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Discussion

cpbarber

Original Poster:

4 posts

164 months

Friday 22nd February 2013
quotequote all
ok here is the challenge, a beer or 12 for the person who solves this one:
Porsche boxster s 2000 yr. 30% approx (very noticeable anyway) down on power. maf and O2 sensors changed, genuine parts, diagnostics show no fault codes, all values correct, engine breathing tested ok. problem started with intermittent power loss, eventually engine check light on, codes suggested O2 and maf sensors. changed O2 all perfect for 2 starts/stops with 18 miles then same problem. changed maf but perm down on power but started better, changed last O2, and no difference (only 2 02's on this model. car has been to porsche and bosch experts. much scratching of heads. no vacuum leaks, air filter checked. coil packs recent, spark plugs new, in fact everything obvious has been checked as you would expect with the guys that have looked at it. any clues anyone no matter how remote or silly sounding welcome, before I double tap to the brain. lol. thanks.

SMGB

790 posts

169 months

Friday 22nd February 2013
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Cats collapsed internally?

Jimllfixit

9 posts

176 months

Friday 22nd February 2013
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As above, was about to post this when someone beat me to it! Does it seem quieter than normal? Could be blocked cat or indeed exhaust system.

stevesingo

5,044 posts

252 months

Friday 22nd February 2013
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Throttle not opening fully?


paintman

7,860 posts

220 months

Friday 22nd February 2013
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Fuel pressure OK?
Fuel pipe blockage/damage?
Fuel tank breather blocked/damaged?
Damage to wiring?

jimbob82

690 posts

164 months

Friday 22nd February 2013
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when they "diagnosed" with the laptop/tool did they do a live data capture test on a run or did they just plug in and say there's nothing wrong?

my thinking is also that it's a fuel starvation issue

ouninpohja

211 posts

189 months

Friday 22nd February 2013
quotequote all
Unplug the air flow meter and try it down the road, see if it feels any different

anonymous-user

84 months

Friday 22nd February 2013
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They don't sound much like experts to me if they failed to find the cause of a 30% loss of performance, assuming said effects are reproducable and not intermitent etc........

one eyed mick

1,189 posts

191 months

Saturday 23rd February 2013
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CAT collapsed ,I would put your wages on it

ringram

14,702 posts

278 months

Saturday 23rd February 2013
quotequote all
+1 for cats

You need to log a drive will as many relevant parameters as you can.

MAF airflow, g/cyl, rpm, TPS, ECT, IAT, Spark, KRet, injector pulsewidth, commanded afr, O2 MV etc, etc.

Power loss = reduction in airflow assuming all other air/fuel/spark is ok

Cats is a common issue. Time to go catless and gain more power too wink

thebirdman

39 posts

222 months

Sunday 24th February 2013
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+1 for cats. A lot of people will start by (and keep on) looking for the most complex answers, ignoring the most obvious, simple solutions. IMO. Let us know how you get on. In the main it's usually the simple stuff

cpbarber

Original Poster:

4 posts

164 months

Monday 25th February 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for all your responses. it's back at Bosche specialist next week where I will pass on you comments. will update thereafter. thanks again

Megaflow

11,538 posts

255 months

Monday 25th February 2013
quotequote all
ouninpohja said:
Unplug the air flow meter and try it down the road, see if it feels any different
This or collapsed CAT's would be my first place to start poking around.

SuperchargedVR6

3,138 posts

250 months

Monday 25th February 2013
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Are there any tests you can do to see if a cat is blocked without removing it from the car?


ringram

14,702 posts

278 months

Monday 25th February 2013
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check precat back pressure, perhaps via the o2 sensor hole...?

stevieturbo

18,079 posts

277 months

Monday 25th February 2013
quotequote all
ringram said:
check precat back pressure, perhaps via the o2 sensor hole...?
Yip, quite easy to do, just make up a small adaptor and get a pressure gauge.

Steve_D

13,802 posts

288 months

Tuesday 26th February 2013
quotequote all
stevieturbo said:
ringram said:
check precat back pressure, perhaps via the o2 sensor hole...?
Yip, quite easy to do, just make up a small adaptor and get a pressure gauge.
So what would typical pass and fail pressure readings be?

Steve

stevieturbo

18,079 posts

277 months

Tuesday 26th February 2013
quotequote all
Strictly speaking you'd want to see zero pressure in there. Chances of that are unlikely though.

But if the cat is blocked so badly that performance really is suffering, then I'd expect well into double figures psi when you try and drive it under load.

if it is less than say 10psi at max engine laod, it still isnt ideal, but unlikely it's the cause of such a huge performance loss

But every case will be different depending how good or bad the original exhaust was in the first place

jontysafe

2,370 posts

208 months

Wednesday 27th February 2013
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Doesn`t it say that he drove 18 miles after 02 sensor change and it drove perfect? Not going to be cats.


cpbarber

Original Poster:

4 posts

164 months

Thursday 28th February 2013
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after more research, I don't think it's cats because before maf/o2 was replaced the problem was intermittent and vacuum test was normal and the most puzzling thing was that it ran perfectly for those 18 miles after O2 sensor change. it's like a low power switch has been activated,. Anyway back at Bosche on Monday will update thereafter.