Anyone encountered Aston DB9 engine cutting out?

[steve simmance]

Has anyone encountered the engine failing/cutting out in mid-drive? I have a 2008 DB9. Frequently, I find myself in the perilous position of driving, then suddenly the engine cuts out and I lose all power, for no apparent reason. I get off the road. Restart the engine and all is fine until the next time, which can be 15 -30 minutes later, without any change to the drive style or conditions.
Now the ECU reports 'system emission service required'. The engine warning light is on.
The car has had 28 hours of an Aston technician's time, and they cannot find the answer to the issue.

Help is very much appreciated.

[Scrump]

Hi Steve, welcome to PH.
I have moved your question into the Aston forum (and tweaked the title) as this is where most of the Aston owners hang out.

[steve simmance]

Thank you, I'm new to PH, so any direction is welcome!

[Simpo Two]

Hi Steve and welcome.

28 hours, bloody hell! I hope you didn't pay for all of them.

In answer to your question, no. As for the warning, www.aston1936.com (an excellent resource) says it means 'EEC-VI or ME17.8.31 has detected a problem with either the engine or fuel system.'

You need a diagnostics expert, and they're not always at AM dealers. Where are you based?

[Dewi 2]

steve simmance said:

Has anyone encountered the engine failing/cutting out in mid-drive? I have a 2008 DB9. Frequently, I find myself in the perilous position of driving, then suddenly the engine cuts out and I lose all power, for no apparent reason. I get off the road. Restart the engine and all is fine until the next time, which can be 15 -30 minutes later, without any change to the drive style or conditions.
Now the ECU reports 'system emission service required'. The engine warning light is on.
The car has had 28 hours of an Aston technician's time, and they cannot find the answer to the issue.

Help is very much appreciated.

I had this for the first time recently. V8V. I posted on another topic.

All was well after a restart. I presume it happened because I 'fluffed' an upward gear change. Your car might be auto.
The screen stated, 'ENGINE STALLED'. I was left with very heavy steering, but managed to turn safely off a main road.
Likely to be unrelated to your own situation, but just mentioned in case it is of interest.

As stated by John above, an independent expert is best to diagnose this.
There are a few around, including David Appleby Engineering, Bamford Rose.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Wednesday 3rd September 17:06

[996Type]

Can you check for a crack in the throttle bodies, it’s a known fault that can be cleared but then (in my case) after a short period of running OK led to no-start issues…

[steve simmance]

Thank you too to 996 type, i will let my AM technical team know to consider this.

[paulrog1]

Can you ask your garage for the fault codes?

That would help.

[Simpo Two]

steve simmance said:

Thank you too to 996 type, i will let my AM technical team know to consider this.

As your AM technical team have already spent 28 hours fruitlessly, is it time to find somebody competent rather than keep paying them money?

[F1NDW]

Steve you still haven't told us where you are located.
If your in the uk there are some great independents that you would be far better taking the car to.

Edited by F1NDW on Wednesday 3rd September 21:58

[skyebear]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?host...

An old thread about a Vantage cutting out and an eventual trace to fuel tank/system. Also had some emission related errors.

Very much throwing st at the wall but if Aston are 28 hours in and have no idea...

[steve simmance]

I am based between Hampshire, near Petersfield, London and Windsor.

Thanks to everyone so far for your time to offer ideas. The fuel system notion seems like a worthy route to follow, beyond the electrics, which is where Chicane Aston Martin appears to be focused for now.

[Phil _L]

Hi,

I'm based just outside of Alton - my Virage goes to Phoenix Aston Martin just outside of Basingstoke. They are EXCELLENT, give them a call (Andy and Paul) - I'm sure they would be happy to help.

Best of luck - please keep us all posted on the outcome.

Cheers,

Phil.

[Simpo Two]

'Chicane has quickly established itself as a leader in Aston Martin care, with over 100 years of collective experience and award-winning expertise.'

It would seem not.

Phil _L said:

I'm based just outside of Alton - my Virage goes to Phoenix Aston Martin just outside of Basingstoke. They are EXCELLENT, give them a call (Andy and Paul) - I'm sure they would be happy to help.

Yes; they took my DB9 in and confirmed a transmission problem, after another 'Aston expert with 75 years experience' started taking the engine apart and wanting to fix it by changing the spark plugs.

[steve simmance]

Phil _L said:

Hi,

I'm based just outside of Alton - my Virage goes to Phoenix Aston Martin just outside of Basingstoke. They are EXCELLENT, give them a call (Andy and Paul) - I'm sure they would be happy to help.

Best of luck - please keep us all posted on the outcome.

Cheers,

Phil.

Thanks to you, Phil, I went to Phoenix and they found the answer straight! I'm delighted by your recommendation, yet also bitterly disappointed by Chicane, who have cost me a lot of money and messed about with ever finding the solution, yet the solution was really simple!

[LTP]

steve simmance said:

Thanks to you, Phil, I went to Phoenix and they found the answer straight! I'm delighted by your recommendation, yet also bitterly disappointed by Chicane, who have cost me a lot of money and messed about with ever finding the solution, yet the solution was really simple!

A few points:

• What was the actual root cause that they diagnosed so easily?
• How did they detect it (what techniques and equipment?)
• (most controversial) Why don't you take this information back to Chicane and ask for a full or partial refund?

The last point would be reinforced once you understand (if you don't already) exactly what Phoenix did, and if this approach could be regarded as something any competent auto technician would try

[steve simmance]

Pheonx would prefer that I do not share their diagnosis and knowledge with Chicane. Chicane needs to understand that they cannot be an expert at the AM range.
I fear any request for a refund will fall on deaf ears... i will try and see if there is any goodwill in their values!!