Help: 997S Check Engine Light & Rough running problem

[knightrider]

Hi Guys

Was driving my 2006 997S earlier this evening when all of a sudden the Check Engine Light started flashing along with the message 'Take car to workshop', I was about 10 miles from home but I pulled over straight away and shut the engine off. I waited 5 mins to check the oil level was OK and had a look under the car for any leaks and all was well.

I then decided to start the car up (No AA or RAC) and after listening for any abnormal sounds, checking oil pressure and looking for any smoke from the exhaust etc I noticed the car was sounding rough and 'spluttering'. I noticed that only the near side exhaust was spluttering and the offside seemed normal. I figured it was most likely a coil pack or spark plug gone so I limped the car home slowly.

I just have a couple of questions that hopefully somebody with more knowledge may have answers for:

1. Will a normal ODBII code reader pick up codes in my car?
2. If it does turn out to be a plug or coil pack issue, how hard is it to change them and what is the easiest way of accessing them in the engine bay?
3. Is my initial diagnosis accurate according to the symptoms or could it be something else causing this, if so what?

I am out of warranty and after reading all the engine failure threads on the net I am hoping this is nothing too serious.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[maxtraeger]

Another possible cause could be failure of catalytic converter or measuring probe to catalytic converter. Typically both go at the same time. I had a failure on the left hand converter on my 2004 997S in 2008 with around 35k on the clock. It sounded similar to what you are describing. The car was still driveable but it just did not sound like the normal noise. I had to replace the converter under my own money and questioned the dealer about the logic in not replacing the right hand converter at the same time. They said it did not need to be replaced. My logic was that the exhaust airflow would have different pressures on each side with the left converter being more dense now sfter use than a clean one. And yes, the right catalytic converter failed after an additional 2,500miles further as predicted. The dealer did not assume any responsibility.

So I hope it isjust the plug or coil pack although my pack lasted until 2010 without replacement before I traded the car in. If it is the converter it would be a good time to change to an aftermarket exhaust system as the cost for one replacement at the OPC was around GBP 1,500. With the 2nd converter failing as well I could gotten a really good aftermarket exhaust.

Max
TT997.1

 

[garyw]

Sounds similar to a coil pack failure.
They can be done with the car raised with usual DIY tools.
Removing the rear bumper does make it an easier job.

Garyw

 

[knightrider]

Hi guys

Quick update I had the fault code read which said there was a misfire on cylinder 6. It turned out to be the ignition coil that had physically cracked. Once replaced with a new one (£33 from GSF) the car was running sweet so I took it for a good hard blast around the lovely warwickshire country lanes I am lucky enough to have on my doorstep! Is hitting approaching 100mph on country roads a bit much for a 997S in the dark, especially if using the PCM nav to see upcoming bends?

I paid £40 for diagnosis and replacement so total cost was £77.

Does anyone know how much the OPC would charge to replace an ignition coil?

 

[glamdring]

ORIGINAL: knightrider

Is hitting approaching 100mph on country roads a bit much for a 997S in the dark, especially if using the PCM nav to see upcoming bends?

It's not a bit much; but it does sound a bit daft.

 

[m555phl]

Sounds very much like a coil pack failure. I had two go on mine and the car gave the same message on the dash readout. Mine went at about 49k miles on a 2005 997 S. they are about £35 each to buy and there are 6. Probably an hour / hour and a half labour. Autobahn replaced mine under warranty so I just had to pay for the parts on the four that hadnt failed but looked as if they were on their last legs.
I had had the same failure on a new Audi TT so was pretty sure that was the cause. Good luck