I had the same on my Cayman S last month and it turned out to be the Variocam actuator (exhaust)?
Check engine yellow light and running rough.
- Thread starter Simbob997
- Start date
Hi Jeff, brief update. Removed the variocam solenoids last night, cleaned them through with petrol and then isopropanol, low pressure air gun and checked them with a 12v supply. Could hear the clicking on both and one has a small ball end that pops in and out. Fitted back in and although the car ran beautiful afterwards the engine light did come on today, then it went off and now seems 'touch wood' to run really well. Going to keep an eye on them. Design 911 website wanted £95 and £115 each so not as bad as I heard. Haven't been to an official Porsche dealer for a quote yet.
Thanks for your help and to others who've chimed in.
All the best
Adrian
Thanks for your help and to others who've chimed in.
All the best
Adrian
Hi Shaun, oh I know there's two on either bank of my 997 but is one an exhaust and one an inlet? Seems to be ok now after I cleaned them up and refitted. Keeping an eye on things though. Cheers Adrian
That's good news Adrian and let's hope you've found a solution to your problem. If not then I guess you're going to have to bite the bullet and get a full diagnostic check.
Incidentally, I think your 997 has Variocam Plus variable valve timing and lift on the inlet camshafts (but not on the exhaust cams) which explains the two solenoids - one for timing and the other for lift. The fact that they both seem to be operating properly is a positive find but of course it's possible that, if it reoccurs, the problem could lie with the actual camshaft phaser itself, something that only a full diagnostic check would identify.
Cheers,
Jeff
Incidentally, I think your 997 has Variocam Plus variable valve timing and lift on the inlet camshafts (but not on the exhaust cams) which explains the two solenoids - one for timing and the other for lift. The fact that they both seem to be operating properly is a positive find but of course it's possible that, if it reoccurs, the problem could lie with the actual camshaft phaser itself, something that only a full diagnostic check would identify.
Cheers,
Jeff
Hi Jeff, your a top chap and clearly a knowledgeable one. Yes I noticed Variocam Plus in the casting on the side of the engine. Ok so 1 for timing and 1 for lift.
Having cleaned them and fitted, all seemed ok and the car warmed up on the drive and was fine. Next day on the drive to work, it was ok to start with, then the engine appears to come off choke (well no quite the old style choke) and then it runs lumpy and the engine light comes on. After a short while, all ok again the lights go off, runs sweet after that. Coming home from work, all ok.
I had plans to drop it into a German specialist not far from where I live but I work 7 to 7 most days (not normal hours, I'm just a workaholic) and never get time to drop the car into them. I will try better next week. Will leave overnight and they can then run the car up with the fancy diagnostic equipment they have.
I'll keep in touch and many thanks again
Regards
Adrian
Having cleaned them and fitted, all seemed ok and the car warmed up on the drive and was fine. Next day on the drive to work, it was ok to start with, then the engine appears to come off choke (well no quite the old style choke) and then it runs lumpy and the engine light comes on. After a short while, all ok again the lights go off, runs sweet after that. Coming home from work, all ok.
I had plans to drop it into a German specialist not far from where I live but I work 7 to 7 most days (not normal hours, I'm just a workaholic) and never get time to drop the car into them. I will try better next week. Will leave overnight and they can then run the car up with the fancy diagnostic equipment they have.
I'll keep in touch and many thanks again
Regards
Adrian
Ha! Not sure your confidence in me is fully justified Adrian. Just shooting in the dark really and probably way off beam. From your last comment that the problem seems to occur after the engine warm-up phase would seem to suggest more of a fuelling-related issue (injectors?) rather than timing, but who knows with an intermittent problem like yours?
The trouble with these modern engines is that they’re incredibly complex, incorporating a lot of electronic, electro-mechanical and electro-hydraulic systems and the most efficient and effective way to troubleshoot any problem is to plug in a suitable diagnostic system.
I hope your German specialist is able finally to sort you out. Just to reiterate what I've said before: make sure that their equipment (PIWIS or equivalent) is able to read all the Porsche codes otherwise it could be a waste of time.
Cheers,
Jeff
The trouble with these modern engines is that they’re incredibly complex, incorporating a lot of electronic, electro-mechanical and electro-hydraulic systems and the most efficient and effective way to troubleshoot any problem is to plug in a suitable diagnostic system.
I hope your German specialist is able finally to sort you out. Just to reiterate what I've said before: make sure that their equipment (PIWIS or equivalent) is able to read all the Porsche codes otherwise it could be a waste of time.
Cheers,
Jeff
Timbo2
New member
This damp weather will soon find any weaknesses in the HT side of the ignition system. I would guess damp coil packs, particularly if its been sitting in the garage for a while. Mine did exactly this, I left it to fully warm up and the problem went away. Hope you sort it without too much trouble.
jmaddox said:
Hi, well yes and no. A local Porsche garage suggested I take the two solenoids, one being the Variocam and the other close to it and change those on the left bank to the right bank. On the 997 that was quite straight forward once the wheels were off and the heat shields removed. So prior to the swap over, I had the engine warning light come on showing misfire on cylinders 1,2 and 3. Then after moving the solenoids over, all clear and the car ran well. A few days in, the engine light came on and then went off on it's own. Ok! Then a day later, engine light back on, set up the diagnostics and it showed a misfire on 1,3,4,5 and 6.......not 2!! The thing is that the car still sat there running ok.
I cleared all the codes and we carried on and no lights. It's really odd. I've been in touch with a local Porsche garage and waiting to take it in so they can run it from cold one morning. Their fancy kit may tell me a great deal more. I'll update you all afterwards. Just to say that I had changed the plugs and all coil packs when the light first came on. I still believe the problem to be the solenoids as they had certainly been on there a long time looking at the rusty cap heads holding them in. I've changed them for stainless steel now. Good luck with yours and do share how you get on finding the problem should you get there before me. Cheers
I cleared all the codes and we carried on and no lights. It's really odd. I've been in touch with a local Porsche garage and waiting to take it in so they can run it from cold one morning. Their fancy kit may tell me a great deal more. I'll update you all afterwards. Just to say that I had changed the plugs and all coil packs when the light first came on. I still believe the problem to be the solenoids as they had certainly been on there a long time looking at the rusty cap heads holding them in. I've changed them for stainless steel now. Good luck with yours and do share how you get on finding the problem should you get there before me. Cheers
Right - an update. 12.2.2019 Random Multiple Misfire on 1,3,4,5,& 6 Cleared Codes. Solid CEL and visit workshop warning. Engine rough when getting out of garage but ok once warmed up.
13.2.2019 Random Multiple Misfire on 4,5 & 6 Cleared Codes. CEL flashed twice whilst driving then cleared each time - no visit workshop warning - engine running ok.
14.2.2019 Misfire on 5 only CEL flashed once whilst driving then cleared - no visit workshop warning. Ran perfectly.
I will use it today and report again.
Looks as if it is improving each time I drive it so maybe damp has got to the HT side. Sits in a dry but unheated garage with my wife's Audi TT which is used daily and often put away wet when she returns from work. I notice if the Audi is put away wet on Friday it is still nearly as wet when it's used on Monday. That can't help my 997 !!
13.2.2019 Random Multiple Misfire on 4,5 & 6 Cleared Codes. CEL flashed twice whilst driving then cleared each time - no visit workshop warning - engine running ok.
14.2.2019 Misfire on 5 only CEL flashed once whilst driving then cleared - no visit workshop warning. Ran perfectly.
I will use it today and report again.
Looks as if it is improving each time I drive it so maybe damp has got to the HT side. Sits in a dry but unheated garage with my wife's Audi TT which is used daily and often put away wet when she returns from work. I notice if the Audi is put away wet on Friday it is still nearly as wet when it's used on Monday. That can't help my 997 !!
John,
The positive news is that things appear to be improving as you're using the car. Hopefully next time out there'll be no problems to report.!
As you say, unheated garages aren't necessarily the best place to store a car in winter months. I'm in the same position as you and sometimes I wonder if leaving it out particularly after a wet run to keep air circulating would be a better option, but unfortunately my insurance precludes me doing this between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
Jeff
The positive news is that things appear to be improving as you're using the car. Hopefully next time out there'll be no problems to report.!
As you say, unheated garages aren't necessarily the best place to store a car in winter months. I'm in the same position as you and sometimes I wonder if leaving it out particularly after a wet run to keep air circulating would be a better option, but unfortunately my insurance precludes me doing this between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
Jeff
Drove it this afternoon. Ran rough with CEL and visit workshop message. Thought I'd cracked it.
Have a third party warranty on it until end of Feb and supplying dealer has booked it in for diagnosis and repair next week.
I will report what they find .
My insurance is the same - only occasionally put it away wet though.
Have a third party warranty on it until end of Feb and supplying dealer has booked it in for diagnosis and repair next week.
I will report what they find .
My insurance is the same - only occasionally put it away wet though.
Went in for diagnosis and repair today. They replaced a very sorry looking coil pack on number 6 and noted that other coil packs looked reasonably new. They cleared codes but by the time I got home the CEL visit workshop had returned. I will update when I have spoken to the garage further.
Oh dear! I just love driving my 911 997 but when the light comes on, my heart feels heavy. I’ve decided to buy 4 solenoids 2 variocam and the other 2 go alongside so two on each bank. I switched the left to the right bank last time and the miss fire moved to the right bank. Changing all 4 will, I pray, solve the problem. £499 inc VAT and delivery so not cheap but as soon as I receive them, fit them I hope all will be good to go and no more lights. Good luck with yours.
Hello Jeff, just to update you and others. I switched the 2 solenoids from left bank to right bank and error codes switched banks. So not really knowing which of the two types was faulty, bought all 4. I could tell my looking at them they looked old. Tested ok on the 12v bench test but that appears not to be conclusive. Drivers side, easier if exhaust box is removed. Total time 60 minute. Passenger side, again with the wheel off but exhaust left in place was around 40 minutes. Should have bought new aluminium claps that have seals within but cleaned up old ones and all ok. 4 new Porsche solenoids £499 including VAT and postage. Car runs beautiful and no more error messages. Really appreciated the tip so thank you. As for fitting, fidly but straight forward. Just make sure you keep the solenoids in the same orientation as the connecting plugs will then go straight back on. Many thanks Adrian
Hi jmaddox
hope you’ve seen my post. The solenoids have no impact on changing anything. Having swapped them over at one point, there was no need to set the engine at a certain point. All straight forward once you have the car jacked up and wheels off. Company called Design911 for the parts. Waited approx 4 days as one type was on back order. Touch wood the car is all good and really happy. Let me know how you get on. Adrian
hope you’ve seen my post. The solenoids have no impact on changing anything. Having swapped them over at one point, there was no need to set the engine at a certain point. All straight forward once you have the car jacked up and wheels off. Company called Design911 for the parts. Waited approx 4 days as one type was on back order. Touch wood the car is all good and really happy. Let me know how you get on. Adrian
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