Sudden CEL steady on-blinking-steady on

[Hanseman]

Dear Renntech forum,

My 996C2-MY99 has been running without problem but suddenly the Check Engine Light (CEL) came on shortly after starting the car. I could actually hear the engine sounding a little deeper and behaving a little sluggish at very low RPMs. Therefore, I was not surprised that the engine light came on a minute later. First steady on, then blinking then steady on again...all within 4 min of driving. Luckily I was in my neighbourhood so I could park and check what fault codes were generated. Using Durametric I got P1319, P1318, P0300 and P0305. When I today got the codes out (and cleared) and afterwards started the engine it now sounds like normal again. However, I did not drive nor keep it on for more than 2min... Alas I noticed that there is some small "spitting" from the exhaust and that the coolant level is little under min. Refilled about 30cl this summer to max after seeing a slight increase in the coolant temperature on a very hot day (98F) out driving. Could I have a leak perchance? If so where (Cyl5)? How much will this run for...... I was planning to change oil this weekend (perhaps find coolant in it?).

Any help is good help!

Regards,

Hans

[Chuck Jones]

I dont' want to be the first to cry wolf...but those sypmtoms are akin to an intermix issue. Have you looked into the coolant tank for any sort of yellowish gooey substance.....then pull the dipstick and look for a foreign looking substance there too? If it's intermix you'll find oil in the water, and water poluting the oil. Do a search for intermix and see if any of the symptoms or descriptions fit what you're experiencing. I am sincerely hoping that this is not the case, becasue if it is....it's not good.....

Unfortunately, the 99's are known to periodically have a number of common failures....intermix is one; intermediate shaft failure is another, and coolant tank failure is another. The RMS issue also occurs but is not a major thing to worry about.

[Loren]

You can certainly look at your oil but I would start by looking for cracked coil packs on cylinder 5 and 6. On MY99 they are old and brittle and can certainly crack - especially if they were ever overtightened.

[Hanseman]

Thanks for your answers!

Last evening I ran the car on idle for 5 min or so and it sounds like normal again (only cleared codes). Drove it for 10min or so and it feels like normal. It is about time to change oil and spark plugs so perhaps changing the coils (Cyl 5 and 6) is an intelligent thing at the same time. What is the model number (BERU brand) for a MY99? Have not been able to find it in the forum yet.

I have not noticed any discoloration in the coolant nor in the oil (when I changed it last time). Perhaps it is an unrelated problem. The loss of coolant is very small over extended time. I'll look at the tubing as soon as this first problem is solved.

Thanks again and best regards,

Hans

[Loren]

For a MY99...

14FGR 6KQU

[9nine6]

Do yourself a favor and replace all the coil paks, as Loren said they get brittle with age and heat, sunset has them for around 40 bucks apiece