OK, I've heard of this problem, but it finally bit me at only 52K miles. Check engine light came on last week and the local (reputable) dealer read from the OBD code that the air port is clogged.

Their recommendation is to pull the engine out and replace with rebuilt heads. My out of pocket expenses are about $1000, which seems pretty high considering that Porsche is covering most of the cost.

Should I do it? Any alternative solutions?

Any advise is appreciated. TIA.

 

Yellow:

If the air injection passages in the heads are clogged, the only way to fix it is by mechanical cleaning, no chemical or additive will work.

Two things will keep you from revisiting this issue at a later date are:

1) Good additives such as Techron or LubroMoly will go along way toward preventing this from recurring.

2) Driving the car hard and minimizing stop & go traffic, as all that idling is what generates the most carbon buildup over time.

 

I don’t know why you’d have to replace your heads with rebuilt ones. It should be possible to clean out the clogged ports, and that should be cheaper than new heads.

 

[quote]Originally posted by Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems:
<strong>Driving the car hard and minimizing stop & go traffic, as all that idling is what generates the most carbon buildup over time.</strong><hr></blockquote>

So, ... attending DEs is preventive maintenance ... YES <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

 

Yellow,

Sorry to hear about your problem. If you would like a second opinion from a reputable mechanic, please email me off list and I'll send you a recommendation.

Good luck!

-- Melissa (mmann@bigfoot.com)

 

What would happen if you left the ports plugged?

Dan

 

Thanks to all for your replies. As I'd found out, $1K is a worst case scenario, and I still do have to confirm if a valve guide replacement is included in the cost.

Melissa, I appreciate your offer on a recommendation. I usually take it to Don Wise at CT Automotive, but in this case, it has to be performed at a dealership to qualify for the claim.

 

Can we get a definitive ruling on this problem? Is it only the Varioram cars that are affected?

Vic
95 C4

 

Yellow,

What year is your 993 and which dealer will you be going to for this warranty work? I'm in the Bay area and this might come in handy if I have this issue crop us later on w/ my vehicle.

Thanks,

*****

 

I believe this only plagues the 96+ cars with the Varioram option.

I've spoken to a few mechanics in the Bay Area, including Don Wise at CT Automotive, and have concluded as Steve W so kindly pointed out that only a mechanical cleanup will do the job. The consensus also seems to be that Porsche will pay for up to 22 hours of labor + parts for this particular repair.

*****, the car will be worked on by Carlsen in Palo Alto. Only the dealers will be reimbursed for this repair, and I would like to take financial advantage of that :-)

In any case, it looks like I'll have to live for about a week without the adrenalin rush of a C2.

 

It also effects the 993TT cars also.

 

Yellow,

Thanks for the info. Let us know how the fix goes and if they did the valve guides as well.

I'm wondering if Carlsen would handle the door latch/strap issue as well (the one where the weld is weak and causes the clicking sound when you open the door). Have to stop by and have them take a look.

*****

 

ya know all those ports do is shoot a little air in on a cold start to lean it up so it will warm quicker. they do nothing with how the engine runs. you don't do cold starts on an emmissions test. why don't you pull the bulb? the thought of a dealers mechanic pulling my engine apart gives me the shivers.

 

Cecil,

Pulling the bulb may work where you are at, but here in Oregon it would fail the smog test. They hook up to your OBDII connector and read the fault codes.....

coming to a state near you !!

Rick

 

we no longer have the test here in Florida. Jeb Bush pulled the plug on the program when he got elected. He also pulled the plug on a "super train" project. I like the guy