Stuck PSE valve

[Freakuk]

Cayman in for a service 4 year/40K and they've noticed the drivers side PSE valve is sticking/stuck, I didn't ask how much it is to replace, not sure if it is replaceable.

Anyone have any experience of this, can you buy the actuator (any idea on cost?) and replace yourself, get an indy to do it???

[Milnsey]

Mine done under warranty about 12 months ago
would have been £1500 ish per side according to OPC
Common failing apparently

See “pop and crackle” thread recently

[Zagamuffin1]

Mine was also in recently for a service and I was told the PSE valve was stuck closed on one side, always thought the car was mental loud with PSE on before but after they changed out the section under warranty it became batst crazy lol

[DRH986]

My 981 had a stuck near side valve when I bought the car, shortly after an OPC major service which didn't pick it up.

The valve spindle was seized but I managed to free it off with Plus Gas, WD40 and lots of patient effort gently pushing and pulling on the actuation crank after disconnecting the actuator until it eventually freed up. Probably took an hour. That was at 26k miles, now 33k and 18 months later and it's still fine.

I regularly manually check both valves are free by reaching under the rear bumper before start up. Takes a few seconds.

[carspath]

Please could you elaborate ( in very simple steps and terms please , for a non mechanically minded person here ) , where the pse is , and exactly what you do to check that the valve is not stuck. Thank you

[Freakuk]

DRH986 said:

My 981 had a stuck near side valve when I bought the car, shortly after an OPC major service which didn't pick it up.

The valve spindle was seized but I managed to free it off with Plus Gas, WD40 and lots of patient effort gently pushing and pulling on the actuation crank after disconnecting the actuator until it eventually freed up. Probably took an hour. That was at 26k miles, now 33k and 18 months later and it's still fine.

I regularly manually check both valves are free by reaching under the rear bumper before start up. Takes a few seconds.

Can you do this without having to remove the rear bumper? Did you jack the car up for better access?? I'm tempted to give this a shot or failing that take it to a Porsche indy for them to have a look.

[SennaCGTS]

No ramps or jack required just position your head under the bumper and all will be clear.

[Green1man]

The actuators are easily accessible just under the corners of the rear bumper.

When the car is stationary (engine off) the actuator shafts are extended, you can reach under the bumper and easily press them in, they should move relatively easily (against some spring tension) then spring out again when you release.

[DRH986]

Green1man said:

The actuators are easily accessible just under the corners of the rear bumper.

When the car is stationary (engine off) the actuator shafts are extended, you can reach under the bumper and easily press them in, they should move relatively easily (against some spring tension) then spring out again when you release.

Yes, exactly.

To free mine off, I jacked my car up to give better access. I'd definitely give it a go before dishing out for a new one. Nothing to lose. You do need to be patient. I used slip joint pliers on the spindle crank after disconnecting the actuator push rod, applying torque in both directions and lots of Plus Gas and WD40 sprayed onto the spindle.

[surtees]

Zagamuffin1 said:

Mine was also in recently for a service and I was told the PSE valve was stuck closed on one side, always thought the car was mental loud with PSE on before but after they changed out the section under warranty it became batst crazy lol

Seems to be a fairly common fault. Probably wouldn't cause any significant damage but I'm not too keen on the idea of one bank of cylinders running on normal exhaust and the others on partial bypass.

Would be grateful for an indication of how long it took for the spare box cum actuator valve to come into stock after the fault was diagnosed.

Many thanks.

[BarrySt]

I'm sure mine were stuck closed as couldn't detect any increased exhaust noise even when giving it beans. Took it back to Reading under warranty, they said it's fine, nothing wrong, showed me the actuators operating and patronisingly explained to me like a child how it could only be heard under hard acceleration etc. I did notice one of the valves had what looked like a lubricant around it so suspect they freed it then denied anything wrong. I'm waiting for it to fail now I'm out of warranty.

[jakesmith]

BarrySt said:

I'm sure mine were stuck closed as couldn't detect any increased exhaust noise even when giving it beans. Took it back to Reading under warranty, they said it's fine, nothing wrong, showed me the actuators operating and patronisingly explained to me like a child how it could only be heard under hard acceleration etc. I did notice one of the valves had what looked like a lubricant around it so suspect they freed it then denied anything wrong. I'm waiting for it to fail now I'm out of warranty.

You think you're going mad with these sorts of faults. Sounds like exactly what you suspect is the case TBH
Have you used Northway nearby, they are very good.
I actually had this problem twice on a 997 I bought from them and both times they fixed it FOC, once was very close to when I bought it, the other was under their warranty, I had no idea it was that expensive though.

[BarrySt]

Thanks for Northway suggestion

Barry

[Porkupine]

Had the same on my 997 recently. The WD 40 and elbow grease solution worked fine. Took about 15-20 mins to free the actuators up, with the help of a friend. I did in fact speak to Reading about it. They said they would happily look at it (under warranty) but suggested that I could try to grease it and free it myself if I could as that would be the first thing they try (if I did not want the hassle of taking it in).

[jakesmith]

WD40 isn't actually a brilliant lubricant either so there may be somethign better to put on it once youve freed it up

[Slippydiff]

jakesmith said:

WD40 isn't actually a brilliant lubricant either so there may be somethign better to put on it once youve freed it up

This ^ It’s largely solvent, ok for freeing stuff off, but once that’s dine you’ll need to use a product, be it oil or grease that will actually lubricants and protect the actuator mechanism.

[Green1man]

I smeared a bit of grease on the actuator shafts soon after I bought the car, I’ve had no issues but then I drive the car regularly, I suspect these issues are far more common on seldom driven cars.

[Porkupine]

On the subject of PSE - anyone notice that the 997.2 PSE is not quite as amazing at it used to be let's say on 996 generation?? (Or is it just me and a false memory of those pops and crackles being better than they were?)

[jakesmith]

When I bought my 997 I wanted PSE, a couple of places said not to bother as it wasn’t anywhere near as good as the 996
I’ve often wondered why as you wouldn’t think Porsche would change it that much.
I got a 997 in the end with PSE and the difference with it on or off was quite significant although no real pops or bangs as such
The 2nd gen car does not sound anywhere near as good. Don’t know why

[Zagamuffin1]

surtees said:

Seems to be a fairly common fault. Probably wouldn't cause any significant damage but I'm not too keen on the idea of one bank of cylinders running on normal exhaust and the others on partial bypass.

Would be grateful for an indication of how long it took for the spare box cum actuator valve to come into stock after the fault was diagnosed.

Many thanks.

They tried to order one side but it wasn’t available so had to order a full system.while they were waiting a half system came available so they ordered that then.car was in for a fulll service and another warranty job so have a new cayenne for @ a week