Just bought my first Porsche, help please.

Hi all, just joined as I have recently purchased a 996 C4S after 20 years of waiting, but have problems. After picking the car up I drove it for around 60 miles or so and everything was great, temperatures and pressures etc, then went to pick my daughter up from school. Whilst waiting I thought I'd check the engine bay and saw the coolant level was well below the "MIN" mark, I called the Porsche specialist I intend to use for my servicing and the guy was great and said as long as the car was not over heating it was fine to drive to Halfords and buy some coolant and top up. I topped up with the coolant he suggested and the car was running good but noticed the following day it had dropped again so after reading there could be air in the system I topped it up again and everything was still good. The next night (last night) I returned from work and as I had been given a lift to work by a friend my car had been parked up all day I decided to go for a drive. I didn't let it warm up by idling as I read this is not good so drove away gently and kept the revs below 2500 for a mile or so and increased them gradually until the temp was near 80. I was Following traffic doing 50ish MPH and noticed it felt like it was missing occasionally but as soon as I hit a dual carriage way and had some clear road I went to accelerate but the car would not respond and I got the warning "Check engine - drive to workshop" was this limp mode? I have read the C4S manual doesn't have limp mode then read it does?? As I only had a couple of miles to my house I drove very slowly home. This morning I decided to take it to work (it's only 4 miles) to see if anything had changed and if not ring the dealer I bought it from but apart from the "Check engine - drive to workshop" the car drove perfect although I didn't go over 5000 RPM there was no hesitation. I have rang the dealer twice but they have failed to respond. Anyway, I have started the car up several times in the car park and driven round and the warning light is no longer present and everything appears to be okay now. I understand I need to get a code from the ECU to see what this could be but are there any known problems this could be? The car is better than I imagined and the experience when it is running well is amazing for me but to have the issues after just 3 days of ownership is getting me down. 2002 with 12 OPC stamps and 48,000 miles. Any help would be gratefully appreciated. Rob.

Coil packs can be an occasional miss, often they get cracks. Coolant header tanks can crack too and lose coolant and can have perished caps. Worth checking your oil cap to see if it looks like there is any mayo from oil water mixing. Also air oil separator can sometimes be a problem. Also check your radiators at the front, often they corrode and weep up to full on leak. Worth a search for those thing as it might help narrow down some of your symptoms, I'm not mechanical but have seen those thing s mentioned before. I've also replaced a coolant header tank.

Hi, sorry to hear the start of your ownership hasn't been what it should be. Was it a private purchase? Regards Karl

Thanks for the quick replies. Thanks matsleight, I checked the oil cap as one of my checks before the purchase and there were no signs of mayo and the radiators look okay. Thanks Blade_uk - It wasn't a private purchase I bought it from a performance car dealer, they had other Porsches, BMWs, Lotus', Honda S2000 and now my Civic Type R.

I might me wrong, but i believe the coolant level drops when the engine stops and rises to the correct coolant level when its running, you may not have had an issue to start with.

Thanks Lloydsifp - I thought of this too, maybe I overfilled it, but as it was below the MIN that would mean ignoring the level when the engine isn't running, also I was told by the specialist mechanic that the level should be at its lowest when hot and rise as the engine cools. Can't wait to finish work and see how the car runs. The driving is addictive, I covered over 200 miles the first day of ownership and still managed my "daily routine" apart from eating.

Very happy now as the car is back to normal running as sweet as a nut, hope this over. I have it booked in for a full service soon so I'll be happy when I know what's needed to bring it up to scratch and if any immediate work is required. Strange thing buying a Porsche, I started off looking for a Boxster as I drove my Brother in-law's 3.2S in California years ago and loved it, so I test drove a 3.4 and nearly bought it. Then looked at 996's then 997's but the more I read the forums about the horror stories of the IMS/borescoring issues I wasn't sure what to do. I realised my budget allowed for a 2009/2010 Boxster 2.7 and I wouldn't have to worry about these issues but decided on a 996 C4S, it took me 3 months to decide. Last month a guy on Autotrader was selling one I fancied, he'd had it for 2 years and it ticked all the boxes, when I asked him had he taken any measures regarding the IMS issue he replied "what's an IMS?" and I thought that must be the best way to own a Porsche with an M96/97 engine, doesn't know, doesn't care. Thanks for the help and suggestions. Rob.

"issues after just 3 days of ownership is getting me down" after just 3 days the dealer surely should be dealing with your issues? Karl

Hi Blade_uk - The first day I just topped up the coolant and thought nothing of it as the car had no issues. The second day I also topped up as it had gone down, I had read on PH (I think) that it could be air in the system and will work its way out just top up again, the car was still good. The first real problem was last night when the "Check engine - drive to workshop" warning appeared and the car wouldn't rev high. I was working today and could only call them and post this. I do [strike]agree[/strike] think that they should have called back quicker than the 4 hours it took them to, also their attitude to my problem basically "bring it in, there's a guy we use who will plug a reader in and tell us the problem, he charges £35 but we'll pay that for you". Hopefully it will get me through to the service a week Friday when the real professionals can advise.

Did you get a clear health check from an OPC before purchasing the car? if not that would be the first thing i would do prior to letting the place you purchased it from investigate the issue. Karl

Thanks Karl. I had always planned to get Peter Morgan to check any Porsche I was going to buy, besides an indy, but as this particular car had a full OPC service history, and also being a 2002, had the services done every year, I was willing to take a chance and because of the new consumer rights act 2015, I was and still am happy to have an inspection and full service at a Porsche specialist, if any major problem is found I will be within the 30 days. I really believe this is a very good car and has been well looked after, the only thing I can see is the back box looks a little worn but I plan to put a sports exhaust on next month anyway. The last 10 services were done at the same OPC and I have already contacted them and they are sending me all the records they have on the car. I have an inspection/service booked in at Northway in under 2 weeks. Rob.

Good luck, they are great cars to own/drive Karl

Hi rob Only been a member for a short time myself. Purchased my c4s without any inspection part from me giving it a good going over myself. When I purchased it I knew if I own a car like this that there would be times that monies have to be spent. As the car is an 03 and covered 40,000 with porsche history I wasnt to worried about it. Since my purchase I've had some enjoyable moments tinkering around with various projects on it. All the important things like Ims bearing and oil seals just keep an eye for any oil leaks or drips. But as you said enjoy the car. You can always get the bearing done when you have some spare cash for piece of mind. I will get it done this year hopefully seeing as mines tiptronic the gear box has to come out as well so I've been told budget price I was given was 1500.00 haven't a clue if this is a good price Haven't shopped around yet. Have fun

Hi Rob Sorry to hear of your problem, it's never nice to have the edge taken off at what should be a very exciting time, don't let it cloud your view of an excellent brand. You are doing all the right things and I am sure you will get a resolve. I personally think real Porsche people have to go through these challenges to live the experience and get a greater understanding of the car they've bought, it makes the highs of driving these cars that bit higher. You could have done with a few months in though. Please keep us informed of what you discover as I'm sure everyone who has responded will be interested to hear your progress. Good luck Chris

Thanks Pieman and Chris, Last night the car drove great and I was out for around 40 minutes or so on the local ring road, no CEL all temperatures and pressures spot on. Unfortunately, this morning it's a different story, I arranged to pick my work mate up at 6:30 he lives about 1 mile from me so I left my house at 6:00 so I could go for a drive and warm the car up but after 10 minutes the CEL came on and this time was flashing but the car was still driving okay, there was no loss of power. I stopped immediately turned the engine off and looked at the coolant level that appeared to be okay, after 5 minutes I started up and the CEL was still on but not flashing. I took a steady drive to my work mate's house and he drove us in to work so it's now sat outside his house. I am waiting to call the garage I purchased it from to open, 11:30 and see what they have to say as I'm not prepared to drive it anymore in case any damage is done. My thoughts now are 1 They can collect, repair and return it. 2 Send me an email giving me permission to get it to Northway let them repair it and pay Northway or 3 Give me a refund, the problem with this option is the car I part exchanged is already up on their website so I don't know what the legalities are with this option. Also, I believe I am entitled to a car what ever they decide to do. Rob.

Did the car with any warranty?. When I booked the car in for its geometry it was so far out so I contacted the dealer and they gave me back the geometry test money. It's all worth a go.

Rob, In your original post you said that the engine was misfiring. A flashing CEL is more serious than a solid warning and is usually associated with a misfire which could lead to potential catalytic converter damage due to unburned fuel in the exhaust system. I suggest that you get a diagnostic check by your Indie/PC before you drive the car any more. This should locate the source of your problem - most likely coil pack/plug related. Just as you've been doing, keep an eye on the coolant level and check for leaks on your drive or garage floor too. Hope you get everything sorted soon so that you can get out and enjoy the car. Jeff

I suspect you have one or more coil packs that are cracked - common issue.

Hi Pieman - I got 3 months warranty but after speaking to the garage it doesn't seem worth the paper it's written on. Thanks Chris and Jeff - that's my next move, get a diagnostics check on Tuesday.

Sale of goods act basically protects you upto 6 months so doesn't matter about the quality of the warranty. Document everything by email and follows Rob suggestion give them timescales. Most self respecting Porsche specialists will do a "computer check" FOC as it takes 2 minutes and it provides work. Don't drive through engine warning lights it's way to risky. Get it to your Porsche specialist asap. Did yiur specialist tell you to raise the "M" clip to vent the air after filling with coolant. PLEASE EVERYONE 3 MONTH WARRANTIES ARE NOT LEGAL UNDER THE SALE OF GOODS AND ARE A GOOD INDICATION OF A DODGY DEALER

Hi Rob You really need to check coolant levels when cold, so once day before you drive - otherwise all sorts of erratic readings. I always check for leaks on the floor; oil, coolant and brake fluids after reversing from garage. As mentioned misfires could be coil packs - the variocam sensors can affect idle, but not sure if this would be evident in driving when opened up (in theory possible if not advancing cam, guess it depends on what position they fail). Northway should be able to run diagnostics and let you know. Otherwise, these cars are fabulous! We need some photos.

We bought our C2 coupe from Northway just over a year ago, drove it the long way home, about 130 miles without a hitch. Next day (Sunday), set out on a longer trip and got to the outskirts of our home town and the check engine light came on at the same time as the engine started misfiring. Limped home, left a message for Northway straight away before making the journey in our daily driver. Spoke to Ray at Northway on the Monday morning who suspected a loose or faulty ignition coil and he came to our home himself and fitted a new coil on our drive, reset the error code and we were back in business.

Hi rob I've just recently changed my coils on mine there was nothing wrong with my old ones but seeing as I was on a ramp and changing the plugs I changed the coils. I still kept my old one so I you want I can let you try these before you go and purchase new?

Thanks Gordon, I have spoken to my company lawyer about this garage and it seems they are under investigation - I'll say no more at the moment. I did pull the "M" clip down when I thought I had put too much in, that was the advice from a forum I read not the garage I bought the car from. Rob.

Thanks Tony, I'll post some pictures soon. Rob.

That's great service Nick, hope mine goes like that. Rob.

Hi Pieman, thanks for the offer but I should be okay as I'm all booked in and ready for tomorrow. Rob.

Total codes: 003 CODE001: P0300 Misfire detection (total) CODE002: P0301 Misfire, cylinder 1 CODE003: P0305 Misfire, cylinder 5 The guy reset these faults and now all seems well. Will have all coil packs changed when spark plugs are done during next week's service. Thanks everyone for all the help and offers. Rob.

Sounds like coils as its just two misfires, if it is they should have splits/cracks in. If they havent i would suspect the solenoid for that bank of cylinders.

A Variocam solenoid would affect all cylinders on one bank. I think you are correct about coil packs, as it is one cylinder on each bank.