Valve Lifter Problem at 20K miles

**KS-CS** · #1 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 11:45 PM

My CS is in the local service department - the preliminary diagnosis is a bad valve lifter. I was feeling pretty bummed until I read K-man S' and a couple of other threads on the same issue.

What happened: I went to a High Speed Touring (i.e. track) event at Hallett Raceway this past weekend. On Saturday, I did 5 sessions - car ran fine, no problems. On Sunday, the weather was lousy - foggy with a misty fine drizzle that kept the track wet and very slick. I did my first session without any problem other than running slower than usual due to the slippery track.

In the second session we were running very slowly because the oil slick flags were out all around the course - in fact I was just starting to wonder if there was even a point to running that day when my engine had a misfire or hiccup, and the check engine light started flashing (uh-oh), but then it went off. I slowed down (I was already going pretty slow to begin with) and then it happened again and seemed to go briefly into limp mode. I immediately pulled into the hot pit and when I came to a stop you could hear a very loud "ticka,ticka,ticka,..." and the engine was idling roughly.

The track tech mechanic said he thought it sounded like a lifter problem and suggested I shut it down for the day. I put the car on my trailer (I knew there was a reason why I trailer my car to the track) and brought it home. Porsche Roadside Assistance had it picked-up yesterday and taken to the local dealer, but the tech didn't get to look at it until today. He told me he won't know specifically what caused the problem until he takes it apart over the next day or two.

At least I was a little relieved to know that I'm not the only one who has experienced this problem (though the service tech said he hadn't seen or heard of any others with a similar problem - but we have a pretty small dealership). I'm still a little annoyed at the thought that this could just crop up at anytime, without any apparent cause. I will update when I get more specific info back from the dealer.

petrolheadsg · #2 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 03:21 AM

hmm this is disconcerting. Camping here. Tks for sharing

RingSport · #3 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 02:46 PM

Let us know the details from the dealer. Bad luck it seems.

**KS-CS** · #4 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 08:58 PM

Well, I'm not sure what to make of this . . .

Between the time I took my car into the dealer, and when they actually got around to working on it, the engine gremlins apparently fled, because yesterday the engine ran fine, and when they finally got around to putting it on the PIWIS, there were no fault codes stored (despite having had a flashing CEL) or obvious problem. Fortunately, the tech did hear the problem when the car was brought in, so they didn't think I was just crazy.

They contacted the tech advisor at PCNA who apparently told them there was no point in tearing down the engine if the problem was gone or not reproducible, and suggested that, because my car was near 20K miles, perhaps my oil was dirty and needed to be changed. I reminded my service advisor that I had already changed my oil and filter (to spec) 3K miles ago; but, I told them to go ahead and change it again so that if the problem recurred, they couldn't blame it on that. They did strain my oil when it came out and didn't find any metal or particles.

They had a service tech test drive it last night and today, and say that it is working fine, so unless the problem recurs, there is nothing else for them to do at this point . . .

rrosen · #5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 10:47 PM

It's like how your tooth ache goes away when you go to the dentist. Aggravating.

**KS-CS** · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrosen

It's like how your tooth ache goes away when you go to the dentist. Aggravating.

Yep - picked the car up this a.m. It's seems to be running just fine - only cost me $179 for the oil change

.

A coworker suggested I adopt an old Harley-Davidson custom, and tie a little bell to the back of the car that rings whenever I go over a bump - to scare off the engine gremlins.

**marcw** · #7 (**permalink**) 04-17-2008, 12:03 AM

You know I reported the same problem a few weeks back. I had exactly the same issue. Porsche told me it was my modifications. My ticking has gone away. Once in a while I get a slight misfire under gentle acceleration. Not sure what do either as Porsche won’t admit there could be a lifter problem. They also told me I have ONE mechanical over rev logged so my warranty is blown anyway!!! Not sure I’ll buy that GT3 next year!! I thought Porsche sold HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTS CARS.... Not a hot hatch back.