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Dirty Spark Plug = Major Problem?

No problem. I use auto@hartech.org
always find Grant super helpful. I bought my 997 just having a full engine rebuild done by them.
I hope yours sincerely doesn't require the same. I paid slightly over the odds for mine but needed peace of mind with these 997.1s
Good luck and keep us posted.
 
Hi.

Today's update is not great news! I managed to speak with Grant at Hartech and as you guys said, he's a nice and helpful guy. He said that while the photos from my endoscope are not the best quality, the pictures do show the hallmarks of cylinder scoring. He said they would have to do their own borascope to confirm, but it doesn't look good. The thing it, I have read articles that if you haven't had it, it's just a matter of time. So I may end up doing the rebuild anyway.

I will at some point soon get round to checking the AOS just to see whether it could still be that. I will also do a compression test and then clean up the spark plugs to see if the car will run any better, just to gauge whether I can risk driving it to the UK at some point.

I'll post a further update in due course. In the meantime, thanks for everyone's contribution.

Jules
 
Oh dear Jules what a sickening feeling. I am sorry for you... There are many that never suffer from it for some reason you have been unlucky but I'm sure you are not on your own it is gen 1 hell... Do you have a local indie that can remove the engine and send it to hartech on a pallet? Thats what the dealer I bought mine from did.
 
Hi All, Quick update.

I have finally looked at the MAF; picture here -> https://1drv.ms/u/s!AiTXc_fI742A3RxCqAmopBOqKfhP. Not covered in oil so the oil isn't coming in with the air. Thought that would be the case but checked now.

To answer Edwill997, yes, I do have local indies who could remove the engine. I could probably do it myself too. The issue is, I don't feel comfortable getting the engine rebuilt without having it tested afterwards. If I got it back to France and there was an issue, that would be just too bad!!! So I need to get the car there somehow.

I have no idea when this will happen now but in the meantime I will replace plugs 5 and 6 to see if I can get the car running without misfire. If that is possible then I will weigh up whether I attempt to drive it to the UK to get it to Hartech as part of a regular trip. Watch this space.

Jules



 
Hi,

Probably my last update for a while. I have put in new plugs and the misfire, for now at least, has gone. However, when the engine runs, there is the unmistakeable ticking noise of compression escaping down the side of cylinder 6. So when the time comes, I will figure out whether I will try to drive the car to Hartech. In the meantime, sadly, it will be off the road.

Thanks to all who have provided their very valuable advice on this.
Jules
 
Same here Jules.

I'm not sure what you mean about compression escaping down the side of cylinder 6 - it's a water-cooled engine.!

A lot depends upon how confident you are that the engine will hold-up on a long drive - maybe a few exploratory drives in your locality (with breakdown assistance support?) would be helpful. I'm not sure where you're located in France but I'm sure that if you can somehow get the car across the Channel the logistics of transporting it to Hartech would probably be easier.

Good luck!

Jeff
 
I think he's referring to combustion gases escaping past the piston, doesn't matter if its water cooled it still happens when the bore is scored or worn, I think the tick is piston slap.
 
Thanks Edwill.

Jeff, Timbo2 is right, I meant the gases going down the gaps between the piston and the cylinder on compression; I was guessing that is what the ticking noise it because it seems to be coming from the cylinder itself. However, if it is piston slap, that implies the cylinder must be significantly larger than the piston in order for the piston to slap against it so loudly. I hope that isn't the case as it may therefore be quite risky to drive it at all. Also, when I put my endoscope in, I didn't see evidence of piston slap, which would look distinctly different to other areas of the cylinder wall. Any further thoughts on that Timbo2?

Thanks,
Jules
 
Ah! Understood Jules.

Piston slap? - maybe; or perhaps you've got a broken piston ring which could account for the plug fouling and the ticking noise? Whatever the cause it's somewhat academic because unfortunately it would seem that a full engine strip is in order to investigate, and whether or not to embark on a long road trip is a moot point.

Jeff

 
Hi Jeff,

As you say, we won't know until the engine is stripped. I don't think it's piston slap as that noise increases as revs increase and decreases as revs come down; mine is constant and sounds exactly like the examples I found on YouTube.

I would rather get the car to Hartech whole as a) it saves work for me plus they comprehensively road test it afterwards, and b) if I just take the engine, after Brexit (and I don't think I can do it before then), I may get charged some duty! I will drive around locally a bit and see how the car behaves, maybe take some spare spark plugs with me too, just in case! If I do drive it, as my folks live in Hertfordshire, I may pop in to say hello on my way!

Jules
 
An update to anyone who helped me previously on my poorly 997.1. I haven't driven the car for well over a year now but I am in the process of getting quotes from independent Porsche specialists in France. I hoe to have more news soon!
 
Oh dear Jules! Very sorry to hear that you haven’t made any progress in the past year, but then we’re all in the same boat in that respect if you get my meaning.

I hope you get a positive outcome from your local Porsche specialists and look forward to hearing from you.

Jeff
 
Hi Jeff. Hope you're doing OK.
A quick update. I asked for 3 quotes locally. I say locally but only one was local; the others several hours away but reputable specialists. Result: only one quote (the other didn't bother despite chasing) and the quote was €15-27K !!!! I know my French isn't perfect but I'm sure they smelled what they thought was an English sucker!
Anyway, as a result, the car is now at Hartech!
More news as I get it ...
J

 
Hi Jules,

Good to hear from you and that finally you've managed to get the car to Hartech [by hook or by crook!]. I'm sure that when they've had a good look at the engine they'll be able to give you a realistic quote for any work which needs to be done. Hopefully it won't be too punitive, but at least you'll have confidence in the quality of the repair.

Keep us posted on progress.

Jeff
 
It's in safe hands. There will probably be other things that they will recommend while engine is out , get them done it will save a lot of money further down the line. Keep me posted .
 
Hi Steve et al. Thanks for the compliment!

Hartech did their preliminary tests a week ago and confirmed cylinder scoring. So the engine is now in pieces and undergoing the surgery required. I had a long and very interesting conversation with Grant at Hartech who took me through the different options available which were: 1) the basic minimum to get the car on the road again, 2) as 1 plus upgrades to the engine innards which as Ed said, if you ever want to do them, you may as well do now (including doing all 6 cylinders as opposed to just 2, exchange pistons, IMS upgrade and a few other things), 3) as 2 plus non-engine recommendations which include items that, if they need doing in future it would be an "engine out” job so again, may as well do them now, and 4) other stuff that may require attention but could be done separately later. Grant is great; he takes the time to explain everything, which can’t be easy when it must be the millionth time he’s said the exact same thing. So far, I cannot recommend Hartech enough. They know their stuff and I was surprised how reasonable the pricing is (please don’t ask me to reveal the actual cost though; it wouldn’t be fair on Hartech).

So, after much deliberation, I’ve gone for option 3 (as I want to keep and enjoy the car) plus I’m in fact changing the pistons to a brand new upgraded set and upgrading the big end bearings at the same time. So I’m hoping to get back a car that will be about as good as it can get and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel again.

More news as I get it. Thanks for the interest!
Jules
 
Hi Jules,
Thanks for the update, it seems you are making good progress. I think option 3 is definitely the best one if you intend to keep the car. I've had my 997 for 18 months and to date have had no issues, I drop into the camp of drive it and enjoy it and if the worst should happen Hartech are just up the road. You will get a great car back from Hartech with all the stock issues sorted I'm quite jealous.
Cheers
Steve
 
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