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SAI Issues?

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Old Nov 11, 2010 | 12:15 AM
  #1  
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Default SAI Issues?

How common is this on Turbos? I have always heard it was an issue exclusive to 1996-1998 normally aspirated 993s and very rare on Turbos? Apparently I have this problem on my 25K mile Turbo, but I am suspicious if it is the correct diagnosis. Car won't pass emissions. Check engine light is not on. Would love to hear your insights.. Thanks All.
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Old Nov 11, 2010 | 12:23 AM
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I have also heard that it is rare on the turbo cars. I believe that when it happens (on the NA cars), it throws the CEL, and that;s why it won't pass smog. If your Check Engine light is working correctly, I'd also be suspicious. When it didn't pass smog, did they tell you why? I also believe that the SAI is some sort of a smog-related thing for cold starts. Since the smog is done with a warm engine, it shouldn't be a problem for you... if there is no CEL.

I think we need more info.
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Old Nov 11, 2010 | 01:28 AM
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Rare but it does happen. Infact it is happening more often now as the cars age.

I have a set of cats off a recent customers engine that had the SAI. The cats 80% plugged.

The cats have failed due to poor fuel grades and cronic turbocharger failures.
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Old Nov 11, 2010 | 02:03 PM
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Here is what I have been told:

SAI codes are P1411 and P0410 and tank ventilation is P0445

In your case, when the SAI test was performed, the air pump runs but due to
clogged passages the response of the 02 sensors do not see the air being
pumped in and the expected lean condition response. When this happens the
readiness indicator can't be set. There was also a problem where the tank
ventilation system would not respond with a short test.
When the SAI test was performed, the air pump runs but due to
clogged passages the response of the 02 sensors do not see the air being
pumped in and the expected lean condition response. When this happens the
readiness indicator can't be set. There was also a problem where the tank
ventilation system would not respond with a short test.
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Old Nov 11, 2010 | 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Kevin
Rare but it does happen. Infact it is happening more often now as the cars age.

I have a set of cats off a recent customers engine that had the SAI. The cats 80% plugged.

The cats have failed due to poor fuel grades and cronic turbocharger failures.
Hi Kevin,

Is there a way to "test" cats off the car? Some sort of back-pressure or reverse leakdown test?
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Old Nov 11, 2010 | 09:24 PM
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Conduct a search on 'setting readiness codes' here on Rennlist. I had a similar problem that compelled me to make an appointment with a smog referee. I then got hold of these instructions on setting codes and voila! Passed! Setting the readiness codes required driving at certain RPM ranges for a given period of time This will cycle the readiness codes. I would give it a try before moving towards a more invasive approach.
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Old Nov 11, 2010 | 11:29 PM
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Felix;

Bore scope, or a good adjustable mirror. You need a bright light shinning in the the other end.

I have to post the picture of this latest set. I can't imagine the car on boost, trying to push the exhaust thru these plugged cats..
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Old Nov 12, 2010 | 01:02 PM
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During my 21 month search for a great 993 Turbo in 2008 and 2009 I encountered 2 Turbos that had the SAI issues during the PPI process. Obviousley, I passed on both cars. One was even being sold by Rennlister (not very active and the car was taken off the market).
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Old Nov 12, 2010 | 05:56 PM
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Thanks for the input everyone. Shop just got may car to pass emissions so it seems all is resolved for now.
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Old Nov 12, 2010 | 06:11 PM
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Interesting. Did they determine if the car has a real SA issue? Or did they just get the codes reset? Enquiring minds want to know...
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Old Nov 13, 2010 | 01:03 AM
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Not as rare as you would think, happened to a friend, cost a small fortune.
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Old Nov 13, 2010 | 02:35 PM
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They managed to get the codes reset, but it sounds like I do have a real issue going forward. On the exhaust side of the cats, the sensors are not seeing the right O2 mixture. The solutions I have researched are to either remove the cylinder heads and unclog the passages or some folks do an ECU reprogram.
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 04:20 AM
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shoot mike all this on a car that only has 25k miles? didn't this all start to occur after you topped up the oill with a single quart before you decided to drive the car and inadvertantly overfilled it? did you end up rebuilding the turbos? wouldn't a likely cause of your sai be that the cat is ruined?
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 04:04 PM
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I know, tell me about it!! And yes, all my troubles started after that overfill, and it's taken forever to resolve. The mechanic I usually use at the Porsche Dealership who has 25 years working on Porsches (including 993s obviously) charged me $800 and fixed nothing. So decided to go to an independent specialist who managed to get all of the oil out of the system, pipes intercooler, etc. Turbos and cats checked out ok. I am suspicious that the sai issue only turned up after the oil overfill but at this point I am at a loss and just want to get the car working so I can enjoy it again. Annoying as heck, but I get the car back on tomorrow with a new set of PSS10s to replace the tired stock setup, so I am excited!! Car ran flawlessly with never even a puff of smoke for years before I overfilled it. Don't overfill these cars!! And if you live in snow country like me, take them out on a clear day in the winter at least once every 3 weeks and get them fully warmed up. Those are the lessons I have drawn from this debacle...
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Old Nov 15, 2010 | 03:14 AM
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you'll love the pss10's --- it's the very first thing i did to my car. mike --- post some pics of your car. i don't think we've seen any.
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