vincer77

The check engine light came on, and it is the dreaded 1411 code. Ughhhh...

ilko

Clear the CEL, do the driving routine that sets the readiness codes, and try again. Hopefully you won't get the CEL again prior to the next inspection appointment.

Slow Guy

Sorry to read about this Vince. Have you replaced the check valve and cleaned out the ports since I last did it several years ago? It has to have been 6 - 8 years since I did it.

vincer77

Nope. Will now. Did you get the CEL when you did it, or did you just do it as PM.

Slow Guy

I did it as just PM, I've never gotten a CEL on either of the 993's. If I remember correctly I started a thread and posted a bunch of pics when I did it on that car, the pics will be down now (since I'm no longer a member I'm limited on the number of pics I can post) but the thread should still be there. I'll look for it later.

Found it, Jan of 2008, 7 yrs ago.

vincer77

So that's why old pictures go down.

I remember the thread. It was quite extensive.

vincer77

Is there a recommended frequency to change SAI Valve and do flush?

Mike J

Nothing officially in any of the documentation that I have seen.

I think if its going to be preventive maintenance, every 30,000 to 50,000 miles is good, but it also depends on oil consumption and how quickly your engine likes to coke up those passages.

Cheers,

Mike

993Brendan

Sorry you are having trouble Vince. Many years ago I had an old VW Bus that was having trouble passing admissions. I waited in line for an hour in the summer heat and when it was my turn to start up and pull in the bus wouldn't start. Bill- hope Florida is treating you well!

Slow Guy

Thanks Brendan, doing well.

When I was up there I used the Lebanon inspection station. I think 1 time I had 2 cars in front of me when I got there, most of the time I just drove right up, it was great. Not sure if they'll let you use a Wilson county station but it might be worth the drive (esp. with our 993's).

vincer77

Good news. I replaced the SAI valve, did an SAI flush (no ports were clogged), and passed smog test on Friday. The monitors all set. I sort of did the BMW drive cycle. During a long drive, I did a stint of each type of driving, but not necessarily in order, and all the monitors showed ready. Most difficult to do is the 20-30 mph session, and may be the most important as it verifies the O2 sensors. Anyway, all is good in 993 land.

Artsee

Awesome. Congrats!

nine9six

Vince,
I was going to comment that ilko had good advice here; but apparently it was your check valve that went bad?

vincer77

I may have been able to clear the code, but the check valve was definitely bad as I could blow through it in either direction. It had been over 15,000 miles since the last time the PO replaced the valve, so it was best to replace it. I think I will change out the SAI valve every two years (approx 10,000) miles. I believe that when the valve begins back flowing, the "coking" starts to occur at the exhaust ports.

vincer77

CEL light came back on. Only getting code 1411. At least it will not be a problem until next year.

I find it interesting that though the SAI operates only during startup, that both times the CEL has come on while driving at a low speed or idle 15-20 minutes after startup.

I suppose that the O2 sensors should be replaced. I do not see that it has been done by me or the PO.