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Check Engine - Visit Workshop!

Ian Gilmour

Ian Gilmour

PCGB Member
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After washing the car yesterday, I took it out for a quick spin to dry the brakes. After a couple of miles the engine seemed to be 'lumpy', as if it wasn't running on all 6 cylinders and there was a noticeable vibration. After another couple of miles the engine icon in the warning light display came on and bleeped and when I accelerated harder came on again with the message 'check engine - visit workshop'.

I nursed it home and phone the local OPC who told me not to drive it but to make an appointment to have it collected on Monday. Today I decided to take it for a short drive to see whether the symptons were still there. Thankfully all seems well and after 15 miles of mixed driving the engine seems smooth (up to 6k rpm) and there were no warning lights.

I am now wondering whether it water had got into the engine when the car was washed. It was washed with the spoiler raised and on a slight slope with the rear lower than the front. Could this have caused the warning message and will the fact that the warning message was displayed be recorded in the diagnostics and invalidate any future warranty claims if I choose to ignore it?

Any views appreciated!
 
Ian, sounds a bit like the misfire I had on the motorway. One of the coils seems particularly vulnerable to water spray from the rear tyres, and on mine had corroded away quite badly. I reckon yours must be going the same way, hence when wet yesterday it was misfiring, and then dry today it seems improved. Definitely take it in and get it diagnosed properly and repaired, otherwise it will only fail again miles from home...!
 
Rob,

Sounds like it is the coil(s). Driving it today to the OPC in the rain induced the misfire again and a technician confirmed that the coils could be suspect. Should find out later today......
 
Ian

Just had the same problem with mine(GT3 Mk11) coil packs were the problem. OPC Cardiff collected the car, replaced all 6 foc and i'm back on the road. I've had 996's since 1999 and not had this problem before.

Julian
 
All 6 coils replaced for me too. Apparently this is not a common problem, but not an unusual one either. Glad I have the extended warranty!
 
On the 997 there is a rain water drain pipe routed from the rear scuttle panel down to the lower engine bay area. It is designed to drain water from the engine bay area from washing / rainwater etc, unfortunatley it exits just above Cylinder 1 coil pack, so given the heat transfer from the cylinder head into the coil pack it doesn't take long for it to get corroded and the plastic casing then parts from the metal laminate and bingo - misfire. Porsche assist Tech came out to my C2S in November 97 and knew straight away what it was. Apparently Cyl 4 is also prone to water spray from roadwheel so that's one to watch also.
 
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