Check Engine Light and the SAI: Fixed mine with a part: 993 110 462 02
10-31-2012, 06:51 PM
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Check Engine Light and the SAI: Fixed mine with a part: 993 110 462 02
Just wanted to report in that I fixed my SAI problem by replacing a vacuum operated valve for the cold air intake flapper. Part number: 993 110 462 02
My CEL came on about two years ago and I was told I had to do a top end rebuilt or take the engine apart and clean out all the air passageways that everyone says are blocked not allowing the O2 sensors to get a proper read and firing the fault.
I was a little skeptical regarding the solutions and this seemed to be the conventional wisdom passed on for years.
I have owned my 1997 993 for about 12 years driving it from 15K miles to 160K miles now.
Always highway miles, the engine has always been warmed up properly and the car is kept on a strict maintenance schedule that Porsche dictates.
I also drive in a spirited manner and don't like my engine to drive around under 3K.
My car is still solid as a rock. I love it. Slurp.
Anyways, the CEL came on and it was that dreaded problem I thought would never happen to me.
So, my first time smogging the car I had to drive around following a ridiculous set of rules to fire all the monitors so I could pass smog last year.
About a month ago I was in getting a 30K tune up and the mech says my cold air intake flapper is busticated. I say what? What is the part number I'll replace it myself since I can.
I noticed awhile back, years ago, that my car stopped making a usual start up sound. I didn't think anything of it, but it turned out the valve died at that time.
This valve diverts cold air over the O2 sensors as part of the ODBII systems check and if it's not happy a fault is fired.
So, I got the car back from the 30K service and the CEL was off because they unhooked the battery.
I went ahead and replace the cold air intake flapper valve. About 30 minutes max.
Now, 3K miles later. The light is still off.
It takes about 750 miles for the CEL to come on again in the past but now it's off.
I'm very happy and I thought I would pass this info on to anyone who might be in the same situation as me.
I don't think this is a premature post regarding the fix either.
I attached a picture. Old on left new on right. The old diaphragm is made of rubber the new one is silicon so it's better.
There are four of these things spread around the engine responsible for things like the vario ram etc. I'll be looking to replace the other three eventually as a preventative maintenance thing.
(I'm going to replace my motor mounts with RS motor mounts because shifting under load is an issue. Heard that helps.)
My CEL came on about two years ago and I was told I had to do a top end rebuilt or take the engine apart and clean out all the air passageways that everyone says are blocked not allowing the O2 sensors to get a proper read and firing the fault.
I was a little skeptical regarding the solutions and this seemed to be the conventional wisdom passed on for years.
I have owned my 1997 993 for about 12 years driving it from 15K miles to 160K miles now.
Always highway miles, the engine has always been warmed up properly and the car is kept on a strict maintenance schedule that Porsche dictates.
I also drive in a spirited manner and don't like my engine to drive around under 3K.
My car is still solid as a rock. I love it. Slurp.
Anyways, the CEL came on and it was that dreaded problem I thought would never happen to me.
So, my first time smogging the car I had to drive around following a ridiculous set of rules to fire all the monitors so I could pass smog last year.
About a month ago I was in getting a 30K tune up and the mech says my cold air intake flapper is busticated. I say what? What is the part number I'll replace it myself since I can.
I noticed awhile back, years ago, that my car stopped making a usual start up sound. I didn't think anything of it, but it turned out the valve died at that time.
This valve diverts cold air over the O2 sensors as part of the ODBII systems check and if it's not happy a fault is fired.
So, I got the car back from the 30K service and the CEL was off because they unhooked the battery.
I went ahead and replace the cold air intake flapper valve. About 30 minutes max.
Now, 3K miles later. The light is still off.
It takes about 750 miles for the CEL to come on again in the past but now it's off.
I'm very happy and I thought I would pass this info on to anyone who might be in the same situation as me.
I don't think this is a premature post regarding the fix either.
I attached a picture. Old on left new on right. The old diaphragm is made of rubber the new one is silicon so it's better.
There are four of these things spread around the engine responsible for things like the vario ram etc. I'll be looking to replace the other three eventually as a preventative maintenance thing.
(I'm going to replace my motor mounts with RS motor mounts because shifting under load is an issue. Heard that helps.)
10-31-2012, 07:07 PM
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As a fellow Renn-Lister currently driving with dreaded CEL light...and my next Kalifornia smog check due next summer--I shall follow this thread with GREAT interest! Subscribed!
I'm rooting for you, Olav!!!
I'm rooting for you, Olav!!!
10-31-2012, 07:50 PM
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10-31-2012, 08:19 PM
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When you open up the engine lid it's on right beside the air intake and to the left of the engine fan.
This isn't my car's engine compartment but someone else's. I just borrowed these pictures for edification purposes.
This isn't my car's engine compartment but someone else's. I just borrowed these pictures for edification purposes.
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10-31-2012, 09:05 PM
#8
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Sorry to say this but that valve is not related to the SAI system...
It diverts aux blower air over the top of the engine for cooling purposes
Great that your CEL hasn't come back though!
It diverts aux blower air over the top of the engine for cooling purposes
Great that your CEL hasn't come back though!
10-31-2012, 10:51 PM
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But I know when I get in my car in the morning at 4:00 a.m. to head out to work and it's cold out, the engine is cold. I start the car, the valve is activated the fan starts up then after awhile the fan stops whats its doing the engine warms up.
The engine goes from cold to hot.
The cold air intake valve is not strictly limited to a cooling operation.
Anyone can verify this who has a 1997 993.
If their valve doesn't activate then it's faulty.
That was the only part I changed out and now the CEL is off.
I'm just passing this on to anyone who is having this problem, this might be the fix for them as it was for me.
10-31-2012, 11:17 PM
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So here's some more "conventional wisdom" for you. -- The CEL will come on for a wide variety of reasons.
The only time it's SAI related is when it generates either the left or right side SAI codes in your OBDII (0410 & 11 if memory serves, but don't quote me on that)
If your car had a CEL and you didn't check the codes (but made an assumption that it was the SAI or listend to someone who made the assumption) and then the light went off when you changed that diaphragm... you may have solved the problem that generated the CEL, but not having anything to do with SAI.
Now, if you are saying you actually read the SAI fault code from the OBDII and you fixed it by replacing that part - then that is truly something noteworthy. However, I'm skeptical.
The only time it's SAI related is when it generates either the left or right side SAI codes in your OBDII (0410 & 11 if memory serves, but don't quote me on that)
If your car had a CEL and you didn't check the codes (but made an assumption that it was the SAI or listend to someone who made the assumption) and then the light went off when you changed that diaphragm... you may have solved the problem that generated the CEL, but not having anything to do with SAI.
Now, if you are saying you actually read the SAI fault code from the OBDII and you fixed it by replacing that part - then that is truly something noteworthy. However, I'm skeptical.
10-31-2012, 11:40 PM
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That would be the conventional wisdom.
But I know when I get in my car in the morning at 4:00 a.m. to head out to work and it's cold out, the engine is cold. I start the car, the valve is activated the fan starts up then after awhile the fan stops whats its doing the engine warms up.
The engine goes from cold to hot.
The cold air intake valve is not strictly limited to a cooling operation.
Anyone can verify this who has a 1997 993.
If their valve doesn't activate then it's faulty.
That was the only part I changed out and now the CEL is off.
I'm just passing this on to anyone who is having this problem, this might be the fix for them as it was for me.
But I know when I get in my car in the morning at 4:00 a.m. to head out to work and it's cold out, the engine is cold. I start the car, the valve is activated the fan starts up then after awhile the fan stops whats its doing the engine warms up.
The engine goes from cold to hot.
The cold air intake valve is not strictly limited to a cooling operation.
Anyone can verify this who has a 1997 993.
If their valve doesn't activate then it's faulty.
That was the only part I changed out and now the CEL is off.
I'm just passing this on to anyone who is having this problem, this might be the fix for them as it was for me.
OK... best of luck Olav
11-01-2012, 08:42 AM
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John,
Do your own experiment then.
Go ahead and deactivate the valve. Wait. Light comes on.
Activate valve. Wait. Light doesn't come on.
My ODB II codes indicated that only one side of cylinders were affected so this could help anyone with a "fase positive" code.
As for the peanut gallery.
Believe what you want. I'm reporting the facts for posterity.
I know a there are a few smart people who read this board who don't get distracted by red herring arguments and will tuck the information away.
If and when they do in fact find themselves in a similar situation, light on and that their valve is malfunctioning, they will replace it on the off chance it will remedy the problem.
Nothing to lose, everything to gain.
Do your own experiment then.
Go ahead and deactivate the valve. Wait. Light comes on.
Activate valve. Wait. Light doesn't come on.
My ODB II codes indicated that only one side of cylinders were affected so this could help anyone with a "fase positive" code.
As for the peanut gallery.
Believe what you want. I'm reporting the facts for posterity.
I know a there are a few smart people who read this board who don't get distracted by red herring arguments and will tuck the information away.
If and when they do in fact find themselves in a similar situation, light on and that their valve is malfunctioning, they will replace it on the off chance it will remedy the problem.
Nothing to lose, everything to gain.
11-01-2012, 10:15 AM
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As for the peanut gallery.
Believe what you want. I'm reporting the facts for posterity.
I know a there are a few smart people who read this board who don't get distracted by red herring arguments and will tuck the information away.
If and when they do in fact find themselves in a similar situation, light on and that their valve is malfunctioning, they will replace it on the off chance it will remedy the problem.
Nothing to lose, everything to gain.
As for the peanut gallery.
Believe what you want. I'm reporting the facts for posterity.
I know a there are a few smart people who read this board who don't get distracted by red herring arguments and will tuck the information away.
If and when they do in fact find themselves in a similar situation, light on and that their valve is malfunctioning, they will replace it on the off chance it will remedy the problem.
Nothing to lose, everything to gain.
Thanks for the SAI thread contribution. The dreaded SAI fault.