Sports exhaust doesn't seem to work

[Paul_Sue_Leggett]

My 2010 997.2 C2 has the sports exhaust. When engaged on my previous 987 you could tell the difference but on the 997 it doesn't seem to. There is a barely noticeable change in tone when stationary but on the move it seems to do nothing. Is this just the way it is or is there a fault in the actuation system?
Very much appreciated.

 

[stephenowen]

Hi, Is the led on the button illuminated? There is a plastic strip behind the button panel which are joined together, the connectors can break. You will hear a lower exhaust note when actuated and the led on the button should indicate activation.

 

[Motorhead]

Paul,

The PSE valves are vacuum operated and the system should start in Sport mode with the valves open and then return to quiet mode once vacuum builds. If you get underneath you should be able to see the valves operating when you switch PSE on and off. If not then there's either a vacuum leak or maybe the PSE switch itself or the electrically-controlled changeover valve is faulty.

This video might help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC4VGnYJ4QM&feature=youtu.be

Jeff

 

[stephenowen]

Nice video, but I am more of let's check the fuse first before tearing down the engine type of guy. Should be sticky somewhere.

 

[cymro]

 

[Motorhead]

Nice video, but I am more of let's check the fuse first before tearing down the engine type of guy. Should be sticky somewhere.

Agreed Steven, but it's easy enough to take a quick look underneath to make sure that the valves are functioning. []

Although the video is for a Boxster, I would think that the valve locations will be similar on the 997.

Jeff

 

[Paul_Sue_Leggett]

Thank you. The light is on on the dash so that's okay. When it stops raining I will go and look under the car. It's in the garage but I will be dangling half in the rain when underneath so a nice cup of coffee and some patience waiting for the weather is the best idea.

 

[Paul_Sue_Leggett]

Having had a look under the car as best as possible without having to jack it up there is no sign of the exhaust valve to check on its operation (the video is a Boxster so the layout at the back underside is somewhat different). I have located what I think is the vacuum switch at the top of the engine. Next time it is in the garage I will get the switch checked out as that particular component, according to the guy in the video, is prone to failure.
Many thanks

 

[Motorhead]

Paul,

Not a great pic but you can see the valves nestling at about 4 and 8 o'clock. Maybe you can see them from the top?

Jeff

 

[Ianstewartshouse1]

To be honest you don’t need to see them if you crouch down near the back of the car at tickover while someone presses the button on and off you will easily hear the metalic click of the valves opening and closing.

 

[STiG911]

For my money - assuming there's not much difference between 997.1 and 997.2 - there should be an noticeable, audible change from the drivers seat when stationery as you turn the switch on and off.

 

[Terry]

For my money - assuming there's not much difference between 997.1 and 997.2 - there should be an noticeable, audible change from the drivers seat when stationery as you turn the switch on and off.

There is quite a big difference between the Sports Exhaust noise on the Gen 1 and Gen 2. The Gen 2 is much quieter, a real disappointment after the Gen 1. As advised above, with the drivers door open if you switch the PSE on and off you will be able to hear the valves open and close. If you can hear them, then it implies that the exhaust is working. The difference in note and volume at tickover (or even at revs) is not that dramatic.

 

[Paul_Sue_Leggett]

Thanks for all of the feedback. The valves are working as you can hear them operating as described above. Bit, it would seem as Terry suggests that the difference in sound is almost unnoticeable. At least that means no costs to fix something, just means I can't annoy the neighbours to get my own back for their yapping dogs.

 

[Ianstewartshouse1]

I did a couple of things to my Gen2 4s to improve that and they worked a treat. Firstly I fitted the rear silencer delete or ‘X Pipe’ as it is also called. The one I bought was the Designtek but there are others available. This gives just a little more noise across the Rev range and really comes alive over 4K revs. I also fitted K&N replacement filters which bolt straight into the std air filter housing. They just give a very subtle additional induction noise again on mid to hard acceleration. These 2 simple mods made a marked difference.

 

[JonnieD]

The X-pipe makes a decent difference to the PSE. The other thing to do is to rewire the PSE switch so it directly controls the solenoid in or out permanently rather than being controlled by the ECU as the standard system does.

I've just fitted a Top Gear switchable exhaust and x-pipe to mine, and it now sounds awesome! Easily as good as any gen 1 car I've heard.