TonyC911
Barcelona
- Joined
- 6 Jun 2016
- Messages
- 1,379
Hi folks,
I thought I would post this subject just in case it can benefit others.
I have a C2S Gen1 with the factory Porsche Sports Exhaust, which I bought about 3 years ago. I have always been a bit underwhelmed with the sound, but I assumed that if it was faulty, it would have been picked-up by an OPC mechanic during a major service or one of two 111 Point Warranty check, right? After all, they spotted the windscreen wipers were not OEM and presented me with £6,500 quote for work that needing doing... well errrr... no!
So I had some time on my hands recently and I started trawling the forum for ideas on how to diagnose a possible fault. I knew the system was working in part, as when pressing the switch the exhaust note did change, but I suspected that not both valves were operating. Research suggested that the manual vacuum valves can often fail and this was somewhat confirmed when I read that with the PSE switch on, exhaust gasses should exit from both of the twin tale pipes. One side was clearly not working!
Access to the vacuum valves is impossible from underneath, so I had to bite the bullet and remove the bumper, which is not too difficult after you have found all the pesky screws! This guide was very helpful - https://guides.drivediy.com/Guide/Porsche+911+997+Rear+Bumper+Removal/49
The heat shields also come off pretty easily and this gave my OCD a chance to clean them and also gives good access to clean the chrome exhaust tips!
What I discovered was a bit perplexing after I thought about it. You can just about see in the picture that the exhaust flap control arm was seized, not altogether surprising given the operating temperatures and I assumed the vacuum valve had failed, causing it to stick in the closed position. Having soaked it in oil overnight, I was able to free the mechanism and to my surprise the valve was working perfectly.
Here's what I had not realised; with the ignition off, the exhaust flaps are in the open position = PSE on. With the car started and the vacuum circuit complete, the exhaust flaps are closed = PSE off.
What is very curious is that the exhaust flap on one side had seized closed?? :dont know:
Anyway, turned out to be a pretty easy fix in the end and boy does it sound good now!! :thumbs:
I thought I would post this subject just in case it can benefit others.
I have a C2S Gen1 with the factory Porsche Sports Exhaust, which I bought about 3 years ago. I have always been a bit underwhelmed with the sound, but I assumed that if it was faulty, it would have been picked-up by an OPC mechanic during a major service or one of two 111 Point Warranty check, right? After all, they spotted the windscreen wipers were not OEM and presented me with £6,500 quote for work that needing doing... well errrr... no!
So I had some time on my hands recently and I started trawling the forum for ideas on how to diagnose a possible fault. I knew the system was working in part, as when pressing the switch the exhaust note did change, but I suspected that not both valves were operating. Research suggested that the manual vacuum valves can often fail and this was somewhat confirmed when I read that with the PSE switch on, exhaust gasses should exit from both of the twin tale pipes. One side was clearly not working!
Access to the vacuum valves is impossible from underneath, so I had to bite the bullet and remove the bumper, which is not too difficult after you have found all the pesky screws! This guide was very helpful - https://guides.drivediy.com/Guide/Porsche+911+997+Rear+Bumper+Removal/49
The heat shields also come off pretty easily and this gave my OCD a chance to clean them and also gives good access to clean the chrome exhaust tips!
What I discovered was a bit perplexing after I thought about it. You can just about see in the picture that the exhaust flap control arm was seized, not altogether surprising given the operating temperatures and I assumed the vacuum valve had failed, causing it to stick in the closed position. Having soaked it in oil overnight, I was able to free the mechanism and to my surprise the valve was working perfectly.
Here's what I had not realised; with the ignition off, the exhaust flaps are in the open position = PSE on. With the car started and the vacuum circuit complete, the exhaust flaps are closed = PSE off.
What is very curious is that the exhaust flap on one side had seized closed?? :dont know:
Anyway, turned out to be a pretty easy fix in the end and boy does it sound good now!! :thumbs: