Sports exhaust - no longer switchable

My switchable sports exhaust is now permenantly in the loud mode! Not nice for the neighbours at 0700. I see there is a post on the 997 forum about this, but I could do with a little help to identify what one poster there has said "I have seen the vacum valves getting stuck. Pull the vacum line with the T connector from the 90° angled nipple of the PSE valve and see what happens". I have it booked in the OPC this week but it would be nice to know a little more before then. A diagram would help to find the items too (thanks Richard!!!) I had it fitted in December 2007 so its out of warranty.

Here you go. I have marked it up where the tubes go. I would look for something simple like a disconnected tube, as if the valves aren't getting a vacuum the default position is open (loud). The valve and canister are mounted on the engine at the top right hand side, so fairly easy to spot. If you want the full fitting instructions, let me know.

Thanks Richard - I am not sure what we would do without you! I'l have a look around a see if there is anything obvious.

Sod the neighbours, just enjoy it!

I had mine converted so that it is loud all the time i hated it going quiet at 28mph, so the switch is redundant but thought i could get it put back if i sell the car so the switch then works again. However my 2 year old is scared when i boot it under a bridge and shouts, no noise, no noise, you cant win. My neighbour also is upset with it as he can hear me leave for work early and is jealous as he sold his Boxster to get somthing bigger, as they have a little one.

I was being slightly tongue in cheek as one of my wife's friends is Peter's neighbour! The switch off annoys me on the Spyder too but I have left it standard so far. Ironically my neighbour advised me that his 8 year old son complains if I drive off without the sports exhaust on as it sounds so good!

Hi Philippe Yes mine use to go through the quiet cycle when I had it fitted originally but the removal of a certain diode in the relay took care of that. The exhaust is still (was) still switchable though. I went to the OPC on Saturday and they found a problem with the valves in the exhausts. I need to chat with them today to discuss the matter further.

Thanks for that Peter When i book my car in for its service i will have a word with them about that, to see what they can do. Cheers Phil

Peter, Any news of your problem? I too have a doctored relay that removes the speed setting but still retaines the ability to switch over if and when I wanted. I have now lost the ability to use the switch. Not that I used it much though!!! RB

No its not yet solved. I took it to my OPC and they investigated the best they could without taking anything apart. They say that further investigation is required - removal of the rear PU and exhausts to check the switchable valve in the exhausts. The whole system was put on the car less that 3 years ago and I asked for Porsche assistance as I did no think that this should have gone faulty in that period time. As you will no doubt know its an expensive option to have retro fitted by an OPC and I did expect it to last the lifetime of the exhausts. It's not acceptable in my opinion that they should have failed so soon. However I am told that Porsche at Reading are not likely give any Porsche Assistance to cover anything. So I am not sure yet what to do. The investigative cost will surely be quite high and replacement exhaust boxes will not be cheap either. I am informed that the switchable valves form part of the exhaust on the 996 model (997 are separate!). I am still deciding on what course of action to take next.

For the latest update and I guess the final one please look at my thread here - at Post 15. >> HERE<<

The PSE works by providing a vacuum to pull the valves closed making the exhaust quiet. If you exhaust is no longer noisy it suggests one of three things. 1. The springs that return the baffles to open are weak or broken 2. The baffle in the exhaust has seized closed 3. The vacuum solenoid that operates the PSe has failed "open" providing a constant vacuum holding the PSE in closed position. If you can get under the car or to the correct vacuum solenoid and disconnect the vac line this will prove item 3. With the engine off , the vacuum slowly leaks away so the valves should default to loud. Put a mark across the end of the pivot pin with a felt tip and check to see if the valve is operating when you start the engine.

Hi Mike Thank you for the pointers. Vet much appreciated. There is of course number 4 possibility to be added to your list and that is a broken actuating arm on the vacuum unit as was the case for me. For the latest update - eg. replacement of the vacuum unit please see post number 16 >>>HERE<<< Thanks again to everyone who gave much appreciated advice.