Porsche 997 problems after two months
Discussion
Had my first problem with the 997 after just two months. Driving home from work the other night and it was going fine until I pulled out at a junction as normal and the engine started juddering and spluttering at around 2000-3000 revs, engine light came on and I had to limp it home (2-3 miles) at about 25mph in second gear, sounded like a bag of spanners the whole way.
I was certain it was the coil pack as it sounded like it was firing on 5 cylinders and there was a smell of petrol when it was sat/first started up.
Its currently at a garage (Porsche specialist) who said the coil pack looks fine but its mis-firing from multiple cylinders, they think its the variable valve solenoid but wont know until tomorrow when they re-open and inspect further.
Anyone had this problem before and can give me an approx cost to fix it?
The cylinders were re-lined by Portiacraft in December just gone so shouldn't be any problems there.
I was certain it was the coil pack as it sounded like it was firing on 5 cylinders and there was a smell of petrol when it was sat/first started up.
Its currently at a garage (Porsche specialist) who said the coil pack looks fine but its mis-firing from multiple cylinders, they think its the variable valve solenoid but wont know until tomorrow when they re-open and inspect further.
Anyone had this problem before and can give me an approx cost to fix it?
The cylinders were re-lined by Portiacraft in December just gone so shouldn't be any problems there.
Just had the quote back!
6 x New coil pack and plugs (recommended)
Oil and filter change as its contaminated with petrol now
4 x Oil sensor solenoid (something to that affect anyway)
£1800
The solenoids can only be purchased from Porsche at £98+ VAT.
Does the above sound about right, seems a bit excessive to me. The work will only take 7 - 8 hours so not as if the car is going to be stripped to bits for a week or so.
6 x New coil pack and plugs (recommended)
Oil and filter change as its contaminated with petrol now
4 x Oil sensor solenoid (something to that affect anyway)
£1800
The solenoids can only be purchased from Porsche at £98+ VAT.
Does the above sound about right, seems a bit excessive to me. The work will only take 7 - 8 hours so not as if the car is going to be stripped to bits for a week or so.
Just had a quote from another local specialist garage who came in around £400 cheaper.
Problem is now though I owe the original garage £250 for the inspection and diagnostics, probably not worth messing about having the car moved again for the sake of £150.
From other people I have spoken to though their quote is on the high side.
Problem is now though I owe the original garage £250 for the inspection and diagnostics, probably not worth messing about having the car moved again for the sake of £150.
From other people I have spoken to though their quote is on the high side.
You are correct YoungMD.
After speaking to a few people and reading various terrible reviews about the first garage where the car was I stopped them doing any work on the car and made up an excuse why I could not proceed with the work. From what I was told they seem to find 'faults' with your car and the simple job it could have been always turns out to be £1000, there notorious conmen apparently.
I spoke to another local Porsche specialist who came recommended, I done some re-search and there recommended from various people on here, 911 forum etc plus the garage has been there for 30+ years. There initial comments were 'get your car out that garage ASAP'. They said the following:
Valve solenoid - No need to replace all four, they rarely go wrong and the only one which does is the high lift solenoid which makes your car pull back & judder at low revs, this is exactly what mine is doing.
Coil pack - As you said, just replace the broken one. I know one is now cracked (probably due to the first garage) but its only £150 for a full set so for peace of mind I will be doing the lot.
Spark plugs - they were changed around 18-24 months ago, they recommended leaving them and changing them when the service schedule says
Oil/Filter - As the car was only driven approx 1 mile home he said it will be completely fine having only been changed in December anyway.
The bill has now gone from £1808 to less than £500 supplied, fit & incl VAT, Unbelievable. There fully booked until August but he is going to try and fit it in around other jobs within the next three weeks.
When I called the first garage to get my car back I was hit with a £300 bill just for recovering the car (local), diagnostic and to confirm the problem.
After speaking to a few people and reading various terrible reviews about the first garage where the car was I stopped them doing any work on the car and made up an excuse why I could not proceed with the work. From what I was told they seem to find 'faults' with your car and the simple job it could have been always turns out to be £1000, there notorious conmen apparently.
I spoke to another local Porsche specialist who came recommended, I done some re-search and there recommended from various people on here, 911 forum etc plus the garage has been there for 30+ years. There initial comments were 'get your car out that garage ASAP'. They said the following:
Valve solenoid - No need to replace all four, they rarely go wrong and the only one which does is the high lift solenoid which makes your car pull back & judder at low revs, this is exactly what mine is doing.
Coil pack - As you said, just replace the broken one. I know one is now cracked (probably due to the first garage) but its only £150 for a full set so for peace of mind I will be doing the lot.
Spark plugs - they were changed around 18-24 months ago, they recommended leaving them and changing them when the service schedule says
Oil/Filter - As the car was only driven approx 1 mile home he said it will be completely fine having only been changed in December anyway.
The bill has now gone from £1808 to less than £500 supplied, fit & incl VAT, Unbelievable. There fully booked until August but he is going to try and fit it in around other jobs within the next three weeks.
When I called the first garage to get my car back I was hit with a £300 bill just for recovering the car (local), diagnostic and to confirm the problem.
Quick update on this.
The specialist local to me managed to have a look over it today in between jobs. The coil pack on the car was the original so a new set was put on, once these were on they started the car up and it's been running fine they even took it on a 10 mile trip through town and down some dual carriage way to test it and all OK, even after clearing the faults nothing is showing up.
They are going to test it again in the morn from cold but all being well that was the source of the problem. According to them there is no point changing the solenoid as if this was the problem it should have kicked in by now so they suggested running it and if it does happen again we then know what it is but at the moment we would have to change all four to be certain.
Oil, filter and plugs are all fine.
So the £1800+ job at one garage now seems to be rectified for £250+VAT.
The specialist local to me managed to have a look over it today in between jobs. The coil pack on the car was the original so a new set was put on, once these were on they started the car up and it's been running fine they even took it on a 10 mile trip through town and down some dual carriage way to test it and all OK, even after clearing the faults nothing is showing up.
They are going to test it again in the morn from cold but all being well that was the source of the problem. According to them there is no point changing the solenoid as if this was the problem it should have kicked in by now so they suggested running it and if it does happen again we then know what it is but at the moment we would have to change all four to be certain.
Oil, filter and plugs are all fine.
So the £1800+ job at one garage now seems to be rectified for £250+VAT.
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