Porsche Boxster 718 Misfire

[Riding Air]

I have recently bough a brand new '72 plate 718 Boxster.

When the engine is cold for the first 500 yards, the engine is hesitant with seemingly no power and misfires, to the extent that the other day, my son who was with me in the car, asked me what was wrong with it, it was that noticeable! (Note the blue Cat lights are extinguished)

Once the car gets to around 40mph the engine clears itself, and stops misfiring. It even did this on the drive out of the dealership when I took delivery!

Also upon acceleration there is a very loud induction noise coming from the engine bay, the best way to describe it as a loud leaf blower with dodgy bearings!

With regard to the misfire, the car has been back into the local dealership, but they are unable to trace a fault; and with regard to the engine noise they say this is normal, as Porsche has altered the induction system on new 718s.

To note I previously owned a '17 plate Boxster so am accustomed to how they should drive and sound.

Any help or suggestions, gratefully received.

Jon

 

[Scrounger]

Hi Jon.

Firstly, welcome. Secondly I'm sorry that you're having issues with your new car.

Could you confirm which model Boxster you have. This may shed some light on any historical engine issues that have been brought to light in the past. The only causes of misfire I can think of are plugs or coil packs but could also be fuel. Is it throwing a CEL?

If you're not happy with the diagnosis, or lack thereof, you could always take it to another OPC for them to check.

Out of interest Jon, where are you located? Maybe a member close to you could pay you a visit to have a listen.

Dan

 

[Riding Air]

My model is the base 718 model. 2.0 litre turbo. 300hp.

Jon

 

[Scrounger]

OK. Just edited my original post. Asking some Qs.

Dan

 

[Riding Air]

Located in East Yorkshire, 10 miles west of Hull.

 

[Scrounger]

The only 'known' issues with the 2.0 are sticking turbo actuator/waste gate and water pump leaks.

The actuator doesn't throw a CEL however, you'll notice a reduction in boost or boost will increase significantly then drop quickly.

Once warm, accelerate hard and your boost should rise to 12psi and hold. If it drops to around 5 psi with no reduction in throttle input then there may well be an issue. Also, if you do accelerate hard and boost does not rise above 5 psi then again, there may well be an issue.

There is a DIY fix but as it's brand new, I'd let them have a look and ask them to check the turbo actuator and waste gate. You can check it yourself by jacking the car up on the passenger side and moving the actuator flap with your finger. It should be easy to move. If it won't move it's stuck.

Dan

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Jon,

Very sorry to hear about your woes … completely unacceptable in a brand new car. It doesn’t say much for the Porsche Centre involved that it was in that condition when you picked it up, and it’s their responsibility to to rectify the problem to your complete satisfaction and to supply you with a replacement vehicle in the meantime. You also have the option of refusing the car.

As Dan has said misfires are usually associated with plugs and coil packs, but this is very unlikely on a brand new car and so the matter needs to be investigated fully by the dealer.

I hope you’re able to get a fast resolution to your problem.

Jeff

 

[Riding Air]

Dan,

Thanks for your responses.

With regard to the sticking turbo actuator, is this with reference to the misfire?

With regard to the "induction noise" have you heard anything about this; i have been told by two seperate porsche dealerships that this is normal on new Boxsters!

Regards,

Jon

 

[Riding Air]

Hi Jon,

Very sorry to hear about your woes … completely unacceptable in a brand new car. It doesn’t say much for the Porsche Centre involved that it was in that condition when you picked it up, and it’s their responsibility to to rectify the problem to your complete satisfaction and to supply you with a replacement vehicle in the meantime. You also have the option of refusing the car.

As Dan has said misfires are usually associated with plugs and coil packs, but this is very unlikely on a brand new car and so the matter needs to be investigated fully by the dealer.

I hope you’re able to get a fast resolution to your problem.

Jeff

I also forgot to mention that the PCM switches itself off! and that there is no caller ID whe i receive calls, it states "Unknown number" even though when you go into the call list all names are displayed!

It's going back in on Monday and will stay there until i'm happy!

 

[Scrounger]

The intake noise is pretty normal of the turbo 2.0, especially when pressing on as it's sucking in air like an old school mechanic giving you a price to get a banger through an MOT.

The other way to check induction noise is to ask your OPC if you can drive one of the cars on the forecourt with the 2.0 engine in it.

I have to agree with Jeff. Take it back and ask them to sort it even if it means leaving it with them. If the fault can only be replicated when cold then they need to drive it from cold.

Dan

 

[Scrounger]

Re the PCM, you can reboot it yourself that 'should' clear any faults.

Push and hold the volume button until you see the Porsche crest appear and then let go. The PCM will reboot itself. I had this happen a couple of times and the reboot kicked it into touch.

Dan

 

[Riding Air]

The intake noise is pretty normal of the turbo 2.0, especially when pressing on as it's sucking in air like an old school mechanic giving you a price to get a banger through an MOT.

The other way to check induction noise is to ask your OPC if you can drive one of the cars on the forecourt with the 2.0 engine in it.

I have to agree with Jeff. Take it back and ask them to sort it even if it means leaving it with them. If the fault can only be replicated when cold then they need to drive it from cold.

Dan

I am being told that the induction noise is normal. Yet my old one never made this noise, and I have a friend who has a '69 plate Boxster, and his doesn't make the noise either.

I am getting a loan car from the dealership, and I do know that they have a '22 plate Boxster on stock, so hopefully might get that to drive!

Just to note, my car was the showroom car, and was sat in the showroom for at least 6 months before I took delivery, could that be part of the problem?

Jon

 

[Motorhead]

Jon,

Unfortunately I don’t have any hands-on experience with the 718, but just to add that the F-4T engine has both complex variable intake and exhaust valve timing and variable intake systems which could be misbehaving … the latter in particular if you’re hearing some strange intake noise? The only way to investigate the functioning of these components is via the Porsche PIWIS diagnostic system.

As I said, you’re within your rights to refuse the car, and if you threaten them with this action it should get their complete attention!

Jeff

 

[Robin M]

Give the OPC every opportunity to fix it but also get them to loan you the same engined car to prove to you you have a fault to your satisfaction with a technician in the passenger seat with you to discuss the differences between this car and yours. if they can’t fix it or at least diagnose the faults after a week or so reject it and do it formally by letter handed to the Sales person. The words ‘goods of non merchantable quality‘ should be included in your letter.

Hopefully things will not go this far though.

 

[Riding Air]

So just an update!

A Porsche technician came to my house last week to test drive the car first thing in the morning. He admitted the car was misfiring when cold, and also commented on the "induction" noise from the engine which he said "did not sound right". As a result the car is now back in my local Porsche centre to be looked at..

Also, other issues are cropping up; got home last night and parked the car in my garage, upon getting out of the car there was / is the most horrendous clutch burning smell, even my wife who was in the kitchen could smell watch she called "disgusting smell, also the car judders when at slow speed say when in traffic jam - any clues?

Getting a bit now, especially as my brother, who has just bought a brand new BMW 440!, referred to my car when he drove in it last week as a "bag of spanners"!!

Any advice gratefully accepted.

Jon

 

[Wollemi]

Jon, I do hope that Porsche Hull (I'm assuming that's your local OPC) get it sorted this time, and that all those issues will be rectified. But what a horrible start to new car ownership that really just should not happen. Do let us know what they find this time and whether it is fully resolved.

Then you can enjoy the spring in your new car and maybe see you on an R7 event some time.