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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHRough Idle - Check Engine - Drive or tow?
Reported or suspected cause
easy fix
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No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Whoever the numbskull was who did the last oil change (it was me) must not have tightened it properly
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Suggestion · Original poster
Cleared the codes and no problems with the car after tightening the cap.
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Short on time, so apologies if there are threads on this previously.
996 40th AE with replacement engine (standard M96, non X51) started fine this morning, but I quickly realized something was wrong as it had a rough idle and was initially dipping into the 500 RPM range with a shaking feeling in the chassis.
Idle smoothed out after giving it a few revs, but then was holding at 1.5k instead of the usual ~800-900 RPM at rest after warming up.
I hopped out to look in the back - coolant full and oil full, but there was some dripping coming from both sides of the rear end as shown.
dripping something from the back end after start
Drove about 10k cuz I was in a rush to get somewhere and no real issues with that other than the higher than usual idle. When I restarted the car, the check engine light immediately came on. I brought her back home and she's safely parked now.
The important question of course is, what's going on?
I unfortunately haven't bought a PIWIS yet and don't have time to troubleshoot, so I've booked time with my mechanic on Thursday. Realistically, the more pressing question is: can I safely drive this or considering the possible issues, should I have it towed to prevent any potential further engine damage?
Thanks for any help/insight and happy to review any threads related to this.
You don�t have a scan tool? Not even a generic one? With this much information, your safest option is to leave it parked until you tow it in for your appointment.
Sounds like you are feeling a bit guilty/paranoid because you have already driven the car "10k" due to being in a hurry.....
Just let the car sit untill you can get a scanner and see what code is stored...That will "tell the tale" ...
The stuff you see dropping in the rear is just Water.... For every gallon of gas the engine burns , it makes a gallon of water...This is what you see dripping from the pipes/joints, once the exhaust/cats warm up, you can't see the water because it is "water vapor"....
BTW..you say you have driven the car "10K " ?? 10K what ??? Surely not miles/kilometers .......
EDIt :: oh wait it just dawned on me you meant Meters !! 10k Meters !! lol........Sorry, just not used to anyone associating car driven distance same as a running distance...
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Hahah yes - I'm up in Canada. Forgot that most of the forum is thinking in mi. Had no idea that water would drip out from there - it wasn't coming from the tailpipes, but from somewhere under the car, less than 30 seconds after starting. Definitely possible it's just coming from the joints; I didn't see it the rest of the day, just never noticed it before.
I did manage to borrow a scan tool. Got the following codes:
P0507 idle speed control system RPM higher than expected
P0300, 0306, 0304 - multiple misfires (in cylinders 4 and 6)
Any further thoughts?
Yes, just drive it there.
You could even 'average out' the effect of the false air leaking into the intake by giving it a little gas, when at a standstill, if you like.
Ha. Crisis averted.
Vacuum leak was the answer. Turned out to be an easy fix.
Was poking around the back and noticed the oil filler cap was loose. Whoever the numbskull was who did the last oil change (it was me) must not have tightened it properly
. Cleared the codes and no problems with the car after tightening the cap. Lesson learned.
Yea I could tell you were being paranoid over nothing......It happens all the time on 996's......
Owners freak-out over nothing, then will ignore something they really should be concerned with...
And the Internet just makes matters worse but Rennlist is the place for sanity ....and to educate yourself
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