HELP! - Loss of power under acceleration...

[jt71]

I've just picked up my new 996 (3.4) this evening, and although it's fantastic in every way (black with GT3 rear spoiler and Turbo alloys - looks superb), there is a slight problem I've encountered under hard acceleration - wondered whether any of you guys have encountered this? It accelerates smoothly under acceleration, but if you press the pedal right to the carpet it encounters power loss and struggles to rev higher than 6000, and there's a slight stuttering. If you ease off slightly it's fine again, and you can rev smoothly to the top of the rev range. Any ideas? Obviously it's slightly marring my first evening with the new porsche!

[damiangt3]

jt71 said:

I've just picked up my new 996 (3.4) this evening, and although it's fantastic in every way (black with GT3 rear spoiler and Turbo alloys - looks superb), there is a slight problem I've encountered under hard acceleration - wondered whether any of you guys have encountered this? It accelerates smoothly under acceleration, but if you press the pedal right to the carpet it encounters power loss and struggles to rev higher than 6000, and there's a slight stuttering. If you ease off slightly it's fine again, and you can rev smoothly to the top of the rev range. Any ideas? Obviously it's slightly marring my first evening with the new porsche!

MAF (mass air flow) sensor and/or a faulty coilpack.

When was the car last serviced?

[jt71]

about a year ago - it's not been driven a great deal over the last year though - I think done maybe 4000 miles since last service May 06. If it's what you suggest - doesn't sound as serious as it could be?!

[drhildr]

MAF sensor - easy but expensive fix. OPC or Indie with diagnostics will be able to tell you straight away if they plug in to the car.

[HONEYMON57ER]

I had something similar to this ('99 996 ). It was
suggested to disconnect the battery on the NEG side
for 30 mins and then re-connect (have your stereo
code ready). This resets to all the factory defaults.
It worked great for me and I was about to buy a MAF.

Good luck

[jt71]

Sounds like a cheaper option (although I don't think I have the codes for the stereo). Still - cheaper to buy a new stereo and an upgrade is due anyway.

[leeme3]

Stereo code is normally on a bit of credit card sized paper or card, often buried somewhere in the maunal/wallet, might also be written in the inside front cover of the manual after all the option codes. If not think OPC/indies can get the code from the chassis number (assuming she still has the original head unit).

[madras]

MAF - you can fit it yourself (other posts on here). If it's under warranty Porsche will replace it. About £320 from Porsche, or about £120 from eurocarparts if they have any. You might want to change your air filter at the same time. MAF - it's a platnium wire that heats up and acts as a thermistor, it measures the Mass of air flowing over it by the amount it is cooled. If it gets dirty then its resistance changes, but it's prob just bust and not burning off the crap when the ignition is switched off.

[HONEYMON57ER]

Any update on this. What was the problem
in the end?