Porsche service and repair is done best when it's performed by specialist mechanics... but that doesn't mean Porsche owners can't diagnose common problems with their vehicles. You'd be doing your Porsche mechanic a favour by taking the time to identify problems yourself.
Below are five common Porsche problems that can be diagnosed in seven minutes or less. (Servicing these problems will take a lot longer than that, so make sure you get a professional).
1. Oil Leaks
A very common problem with all makes and models of vehicles. This is usually determined in 30 seconds based on the stain underneath the car found on your driveway or garage floor. However, some oil leaks can be trickier to identify on a Porsche. If you suspect your engine is leaking oil but can't see anything obvious, here are the areas you should look at to spot a leak:
Rear main seal between engine and transmission
Valve cover gasket located at the top of the engine
Oil drain plug
Oil filter
Oil filler cap
Camshaft seals
Front and rear crankshaft seals
Timing cover gasket
9/10 times the cause for these leaks are worn or misaligned seals. Naturally, if something that's meant to be airtight is cracked, loose, damaged, old, or just plain busted - it needs to be replaced. If you'd prefer to fix it yourself, Chariots of Simcoe Porsche mechanic shop has a variety of genuine OEM Porsche parts imported from the UK. If you prefer to have the full service and repair done by a Porsche specialist with over 30+ years of experience. Chariots of Simcoe Porsche mechanics can repair your Porsche faster and cheaper than a dealership.
2. Low or Flat Battery
Odds are good your Porsche spends a lot of time sitting during the winter. Unless you're already aware of the 7 Things You Need to Know About Winter Driving in a Porsche. All that time your vehicle has spent in the garage waiting for nicer weather to arrive is not great for the battery (or the tires).
Even when your car is parked and not being driven it still uses battery power to run important systems like the emissions control system and electronic stability control. As you can imagine, when these vital components lose power... this has the potential to invite all sorts of new problems you wouldn't have if you stored your Porsche with a battery maintainer.
To check if you have a weak or dead battery, use a battery tester. If your Porsche doesn't start up on ignition - that's also an indicator of a low or dead battery. No tester needed!
3. Smoke on Startup
Speaking of rough startups, sometimes Porsches with worn engines are known to release a cloud of white or black smoke from the exhaust a few seconds after ignition. It's not a big deal if it happens every once in a while (engine is cold). But if it happens every single time it's a problem that should be diagnosed.
This problem never occurs on new or rebuilt engines. So it can be a little tricky to solve if you're not experienced. More often than not, replacing the fuel injectors can be the solution especially if fuel was sitting in the intake path for a few weeks or months. Otherwise it could be your air oil separator (AOS) is degraded. Starting the engine often can prevent this problem.
If you still can't figure out the issue after 7 minutes, it's time to bring it to a Porsche mechanic for service.
4. Coolant Leaks
Coolant systems on Porsches are surprisingly reliable for the most part. The Porsche 911 and Porsche Cayenne have weaker plastic coolant pipes and reservoirs that have been known to crack and leak though. For other non-air-cooled Porsche models, water pump bearings are often the reason for the leaks. These are easy to diagnose but not easy to repair. Getting help from a Porsche specialist is recommended.
Most radiators on Porsches (especially the 911) are low to the ground and can be hit by road debris creating small holes. Cleaning the radiator regularly limits. the frequency of leaks occuring.
To diagnose a radiator leak, remove the front bumper and search for the telltale white coolant stains. Or 'sniff' around the pipes and pumps doing your best bloodhound impression to see if you can identify that easily recognizable sweet, warm smell coolant is known for.
5. Heavy Clutch and 2nd Gear Moving to Neutral
This one is for the manual transmission Porsche owners and early model 911 Turbo drivers. If your clutch pedal feels very heavy before starting the engine... the pressure accumulator is likely the problem. It's designed to hold the hydraulic pressure needed to operate the clutch when the engine is stopped. Leaking pressure means you've got a lot of wear and tear on the clutch and cylinder - so naturally you should get a professional to replace both.
If you find your 2nd gear is constantly shifting into neutral without touching anything, you've got a damaged dog ring or op-sleeve (who names these things?). Apart from that it's also caused by drivers that shift gears quickly and abruptly. So as fun as it is to 'bang' gears in your Porsche, it's costing you some reliability. Replacing the op-sleeve is necessary in most cases and the dog ring in extreme cases.
For detailed quotes, affordable service, and help or advice with Porsche repairs you'd prefer to tackle on your own Sati and his Porsche specialists at Chariots of Simcoe can steer you in the right direction. Call (519)-307-9116 or email info@chariotsofsimcoe.com for assistance.
Chariots of Simcoe Porsche mechanic shop is located in downtown Orangeville, Ontario providing Porsche service, Porsche repair, Porsche upgrades, and free estimates for Porsche specialists, owners, and enthusiasts in Canada. Give us a drive today!
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