Gutless 968 ???

[TISPKJ]

Hi guys, before I go any further this is not a thread rubbishing the 968.

We have had the car since January but only really used in the nice weather, I have always thought the car was great in manual mode (it's a tiptronic ) but in auto the thing just wants to be in top gear all the time and seems pretty sluggish to be honest, certainly not 250bhp worth IMHO.

I recently had the belt service done by a local Porsche mechanic who I asked to drive and comment on his thoughts, he agreed that it has not got that mid range punch that he remembers fondly with others he has driven, he thinks he recalls a similar situation in the past with a customers car that was doing the same and seems to think it was the oxygen sensor on the exhaust that was causing the problem, he thinks he replaced that and it was like a rocketship afterwards.

No warning lights are on on the car but am told they didn't have that technology then, my thoughts are maybe the exhaust sensor as suggested or the MAF sensor ? Is there a way I can check both of these without going to a dealer or does it need to be plugged into the diagnostic machine.

Any comments welcome

 

[Chrishazle]

Paul, whereabouts are you? If you're in or close to Kent/Maidstone I'd first suggest a gossip with Cliff Lowe at Project Nine in Marden, who knows these cars inside out and has the necessary diagnostic PC.

I've read somewhere that, in full auto mode, the car looks at the way you're driving and adjusts the way it does things accordingly - so if you're having an Aunt Daisy Sunday it'l be gentle, if you're looning it will behave differently. IIRC there are 5 "maps" the transmission can choose from. Despite nearly 14 years of 968 tip ownership I can't be sure, as I always drive mine as clutchless manual unless in very heavy slow moving traffic!

My coupe had the standard ECU chip and was OK, last year I had a Promax chip fitted to the cab (and found that it already had a Superchip in it!) and I feel the mid range is a little better than before - less noticable "wake up" above about 3.5k revs.

I'd also suggest (if you haven't already done so) that you ask the question on the porsche968uk forum.

 

[TISPKJ]

Hi Chris, I am local, I met you up at brands at one of the Kent meets, may at a guess.

Project nine is where I was going to take it but don't want a £200 bill to tell me it's a £50 sensor as I intend to do myself.

I might try and get to brands (is it tomorrow ?) and get you to drive mine and maybe vice versa just to compare them, I think your right about some of the boxes but think more like boxster onwards ? Either way I have given it a pasting and it still seems sluggish to me, it's not bad in manual but would question 250bhp is it ? My fellas pretty up on the old Porsches from that era so would go along with his suggestion about sensor, just wondered if anyone else had similar experiences before ? And how I can prove it without plugging in diagnostics if I can.

 

[Chrishazle]

Paul, tomorrow is at the Holiday Inn just off the M26, not at Brands (still off limits after the Paralympics). Come off the M26 at the A20 exit but turn towards Maidstone instead of Brands, it's just after the roundabout on the left. I think Pearl recommended not bringing the Porsche for this meet (can't be sure on that) so I'm undecided whether to bring the cab or the shopping trolley.

 

[Chrishazle]

Paul, there have been some posts recently on 968uk about the throttle cable having stretched a little so the butterfly on the carb does not open fully when you floor the accelerator. Something you may wish to look at - and when you do please take notes and post photos, I'd like to check mine but I don't even know where the carb is!!

 

[TISPKJ]

Hi Chris, I know the holiday inn very well as I introduced the club to it, I still use it regularly for Porsche club France meets, don't see any reason for not taking the cars think you have that bit wrong, parking is excellent.

I have another meeting tonight with pistonheads which I want to attend first in my car and then hopefully get along in the wife's 968 to the Kent meet.

Regarding the throttle cable I do think that part of the problem is a disconnect somehow between the throttle position and the gearbox connection, I did ask my man if it was adjustable like in the old days but he says no its all done via solenoids inside the gearbox, hence why your remap probably holds on to each gear more after your remap.

A stretched cable may put the sensor in the wrong place hence why it wants to be in top gear all the time I guess, I don't think you will be able to tell however looking at it, the problem is not if it gets full throttle its the whole power issue mid range to my mind.

Thinking further surely the sensor that talks to the gearbox would be on the throttle actuator not the cable.

I might call in to nine excellence later as it gives me a little run out in the car

Hope to catch up tonight.

 

[Mr968]

but would question 250bhp

it's quoted by Porsche as 240(250 is the 944 Turbo SE(UK)) but as with most quoted specs I suspect that was a blueprinted engine so most of them I suspect would be a little less than 240

but obviously this small difference of horses doesn't explain what you are experiencing

 

[TISPKJ]

Hi Guys, just aware that people use these threads for reference so wanted to sign off, I dont get on here very often anymore.

Anyway sorted the car in the end, I took it to project 9 who checked everything out, it ended up being a lazy Co2 sensor on the exhaust, so much quicker and better on fuel consumption now, really transforms the car, nice car to drive now, also just put on 4 new tyres and some front anti roll bar bushes for the MOT, one had cracked so replaced both sides.

Anyway now its all sorted madame wants a 911 or boxster so if anyone wants a well sorted 968 tip in solid Black with grey give me a shout on my email.

Regards

 

[Fred Hindle]

Paul,
Just PM'd you.

Cheers,

 

[vitesse]

And so the list lengthens:-viz 924,960,964,968?

 

[Fred Hindle]

I can just about squeeze another on the drive Colin. Parking a car in the space saves having to power-wash the drive!

Always liked the 968 so we shall see.

Do I turn the 924S into a track car, it is not the best example out there (I was in a better one the other Saturday on Anglesey!). A 924S Automatic on track, now theres a thought.

Cheers,

 

[TISPKJ]

Hi Fred, have responded.

 

[vitesse]

.

Do I turn the 924S into a track car, it is not the best example out there (I was in a better one the other Saturday on Anglesey!). A 924S Automatic on track, now theres a thought.

Cheers,
[/quote]

Go on ,Fred-follow your convictions-we could form Teamtotal924S []

 

[rob.kellock]

Well Jezza would never let you pair of reprobates in to Team Mangetout Racing... []

 

[Fred Hindle]

"I sent the club a wire stating, PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER."
"• Groucho Marx, Groucho and Me

Cheers,

 

[vitesse]

"Playing at my piano...." in a gruff voice