Problem with my 2003 911/4 Cabriolet

[flattop]

Today I was driving in the sunshine and I noticed that the engine sound like it was choking. This has never happened before. The car sounded rough and literally shook when I was stopped at a traffic light. The check engine light came on and advised me to bring the car to a Porsche garage.

As I said this has never ever happened before. The motor sounded like it was gasping for air and ran very rough. The oil pressure remained constant and the temperature gauge was normal and not out of the ordinary.

I have dropped her off at my mechanic but he has not had a chance to look at it yet. So just wondering if anybody has any ideas on what may be the problem.

My Porsche is as follows:

2003 Carrera 4

Tiptronic transmission

Cabriolet

67,000 kilometers

I did an oil change about 1000 kms ago and I only use Mobil 1 synthenic oil and premium gasoline.

Any ideas?

[boldstep]

Have you had the AOS done?

Sounds similar to the early signs I got before my AOS blew:

But with that said, rough idle can be due to a lot of things such as mass air sensor, etc.

[wross996TT]

We're just guessing without codes. Get the codes and post them and we can give you a better idea.

[flattop]

What is the AOS?

[Loren]

What is the AOS?

AOS = Air Oil Separator

[flattop]

Thanks ...just looked it up and noted some of the symptoms......there was certainly no smoke from the tailpipes....I checked the oil and the coolant and they both looked fine....I am just waiting for the mechanic to call me back

if it is the AOS are there any tell tale signs that it was going...and what would the cost be to replace it......

[boldstep]

I probably responded too quickly and irresponsibly; I don't know if it is the AOS and I am sorry to make you worry about it now. It could be many things. Getting the code from the engine is the next step. FWIW, my AOS cost me $2700 but that was because I have a tiptronic and I also did the rear main seal (RMS) and intermediate shaft bearing -- two additional weak points on the 996. Good luck and keep us posted!

[flattop]

Just spoke with my mechanic....he tells me it is the lifters on cylinder 6 that are "stuck".....he will call me back with a price for the parts but told me to expect a bill in the area of $2500....he is a real honest guy and a very good mechanic...he also put my mind at ease telling me that there was nothing that I could have done to avoid the issue....I did not notice any change in how the car ran....i check the oil, coolant etc on a monthly basis and take great care of the car...it is just one of those things that comes up....apparently cylinder 6 is the farthest away from the oil and is a fairly common problem............thanks to all for your insight......I really love this site as it is super informative

[wross996TT]

...apparently cylinder 6 is the farthest away from the oil and is a fairly common problem...

hmmmm....really....fairly common....I think not. Hope you trust him.

[flattop]

He has been nothing but honest with me since I have owned the car (four years)....he told me that he had done another one recently....and the words "fairly common" were mine....he identified the problem quickly through diagnostics ...