Planet 9

**DaveC** · #1 03-19-2009, 08:37 AM

There are several instances reported of significant tail pipe soot w/ the 997.2. The amount of soot reported varies from covering the garage floor to staining of the tailpipes. Both standard and S models have reported the finding. Increased oil consumption has been reported but this also seems variable given that use of these cars varies widely. One owner stated he had the dealer look into the engine but found nothing. It's really difficult to say at this stage whether this is a) not a problem; b) a real issue w/o long term serious consequences; or c) a new RMS in the making. Neither the fact that Porsche has not responded to individual owners, nor the high emotion some owners have expressed means anything at this stage. Something to watch over time. If I come across any hard information I will post it.

soverystout · #2 03-23-2009, 08:28 AM

Having owned 2 Direct injection cars, the soot at the exhaust is completely normal and unfortunately a side effect of direct injection.

I would image that since the distance the exhaust travels is much shorter than cars with the motor up front (my 2006 mazdaspeed6 and the Wife's Acura RDX), that is why the soot is more severe on a 911.

I am sure the 09 cayman S guys/gals will see the same thing.

Tomasz · #3 03-30-2009, 09:42 PM

Do not forget excessive carbon depositins on valves. Audi is already having nightmares with their FSI cars. Your best bet is to get a performance flash like Softronic. For emission reasons our cars are setup to run too rich.

**adias** · #4 04-10-2009, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Tomasz

Do not forget excessive carbon depositins on valves. Audi is already having nightmares with their FSI cars. Your best bet is to get a performance flash like Softronic. For emission reasons our cars are setup to run too rich.

Will that make it difficult or impossible to pass a smog test?

jamcay · #5 04-27-2009, 01:31 AM

Originally Posted by DaveC

There are several instances reported of significant tail pipe soot w/ the 997.2. The amount of soot reported varies from covering the garage floor to staining of the tailpipes. Both standard and S models have reported the finding. Increased oil consumption has been reported but this also seems variable given that use of these cars varies widely. One owner stated he had the dealer look into the engine but found nothing. It's really difficult to say at this stage whether this is a) not a problem; b) a real issue w/o long term serious consequences; or c) a new RMS in the making. Neither the fact that Porsche has not responded to individual owners, nor the high emotion some owners have expressed means anything at this stage. Something to watch over time. If I come across any hard information I will post it.

My 09 C4S is consuming a tremendous amount of oil. My dealer and several others I have called continually state it is normal. I am constantly keeping an eye on the oil level and adding oil. the dealers all insist the oil consumption will slow down. However, the oil consumption just seems excessive. I'm at 3000 miles and I am now on to adding my 5th quart of new oil. This is additional to the original oil! Any suggestions on cleaning the soot on the tailpipes by any chance?

**DaveC** · #6 04-27-2009, 10:19 AM

It may be some time before we know if the oil consumption on the DFI engines is going to lead to bigger problems. I think the best course is to add oil as necessary but never overfill. Keep the dealer in the loop. I always change the oil at 5K but maybe a change at 3K at the dealer, despite the cost, documents that you are meticulous in case there are problems down the road for which we need "good will" from Porsche. I know for a fact w/ the RMS issue that some owners received more support from Porsche than others, even substantially past the warranty period. We've got 4 years to sort this out. Like RMS, if there is a defect and a fix is available, it will likely be made available to us "early adopters".

DFI

Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), is a new technology that Porsche states can cut fuel consumption by up to 15 percent, while increasing power by up to 13 percent. DFI cuts emissions by warming up the catalytic converter more quickly, and ensures a sharper throttle response. Better for your right foot - and the planet, then.

DFI allows much more precise measurement of fuel supply and injection at pressures up to 120 bar; it has numerous combustion modes, with different cycles for cold-starting, low-speed driving and performance driving.

As the name suggests, DFI injects fuel directly into the individual combustion chambers, instead of the intake manifold. The injector valves have an electromagnetic mechanism that controls each injection with astonishing precision, while a high-pressure pump provides the necessary pressure—up to 1,740 psi—to accompany the rapid fire of the fuel injection.

Precise geometry of the injector’s position and its spray pattern is a key factor in helping to improve power, torque and emissions of the engines. The specific placement of the fuel as it enters each chamber creates a swirl that improves the air/fuel mixture, and therefore the overall combustion process.

At engine speeds up to 3500 rpm, a double-injection process is used. In this mode, the required fuel volume is delivered in two successive injections per working stroke. The resulting benefits include faster catalyst warm-up and increased torque in the upper load range.

By forming the air/fuel mix directly in the combustion chamber, DFI contributes to engine cooling. As a result, it is possible to increase the compression ratio and with it the power and efficiency of the engine.

The direct injection process is continuously adjusted. The engine management system reads changes to throttle inputs and performance requirements and, as you drive, the air/fuel mix is monitored and adapted as required. Oxygen sensor circuits within the exhaust system provide accurate emissions control.

***wwilliams88*** · #7 04-27-2009, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by jamcay

My 09 C4S is consuming a tremendous amount of oil. My dealer and several others I have called continually state it is normal. I am constantly keeping an eye on the oil level and adding oil. the dealers all insist the oil consumption will slow down. However, the oil consumption just seems excessive. I'm at 3000 miles and I am now on to adding my 5th quart of new oil. This is additional to the original oil! Any suggestions on cleaning the soot on the tailpipes by any chance?

I must be one of the luckier owners. Our 09 Carrera C2 has only used one quart total in 4000 miles. I havent added any in the last 1500 miles and the gauge still shows 2 bars. Soot hasn't been that much of an issue either (knock on wood).

Tomasz · #8 04-27-2009, 11:05 AM

Guys. Contact APR and Softronic. Ask them if their software will help with this issue. It may.

Tomasz

jlt · #9 02-05-2010, 07:21 PM

i agree, complete side effect of DFI. why i chose to buy a non-dfi car this time around, my a3 2.0T put out soot like you wouldnt even believe! well actually you would...you prob have it worse than i did with that big 3.8 L engine!

DFI

Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), is a new technology that Porsche states can cut fuel consumption by up to 15 percent, while increasing power by up to 13 percent. DFI cuts emissions by warming up the catalytic converter more quickly, and ensures a sharper throttle response. Better for your right foot - and the planet, then.

DFI allows much more precise measurement of fuel supply and injection at pressures up to 120 bar; it has numerous combustion modes, with different cycles for cold-starting, low-speed driving and performance driving.

As the name suggests, DFI injects fuel directly into the individual combustion chambers, instead of the intake manifold. The injector valves have an electromagnetic mechanism that controls each injection with astonishing precision, while a high-pressure pump provides the necessary pressure—up to 1,740 psi—to accompany the rapid fire of the fuel injection.

Precise geometry of the injector’s position and its spray pattern is a key factor in helping to improve power, torque and emissions of the engines. The specific placement of the fuel as it enters each chamber creates a swirl that improves the air/fuel mixture, and therefore the overall combustion process.

At engine speeds up to 3500 rpm, a double-injection process is used. In this mode, the required fuel volume is delivered in two successive injections per working stroke. The resulting benefits include faster catalyst warm-up and increased torque in the upper load range.

By forming the air/fuel mix directly in the combustion chamber, DFI contributes to engine cooling. As a result, it is possible to increase the compression ratio and with it the power and efficiency of the engine.

The direct injection process is continuously adjusted. The engine management system reads changes to throttle inputs and performance requirements and, as you drive, the air/fuel mix is monitored and adapted as required. Oxygen sensor circuits within the exhaust system provide accurate emissions control.

**adias** · #10 02-05-2010, 07:44 PM

I ended up purchasing a 2010 S and my car uses no oil or has sooty tailpipes. The same with 3 other '09 S cars I am familiar with.

Capercat · #11 02-24-2010, 03:36 PM

My DFI Cayman S does suffer from the sooty tailpipes, but that's to be expected. I'm concerned to hear jamcay has used 5 quarts of oil in his C4S!
My bosses AMG C63 chewed the oil until the car reached 20,000km then it pretty much stopped. If the C4S continues to go through oil after 15,000kms then the piston rings may need replacing.

DFI

Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), is a new technology that Porsche states can cut fuel consumption by up to 15 percent, while increasing power by up to 13 percent. DFI cuts emissions by warming up the catalytic converter more quickly, and ensures a sharper throttle response. Better for your right foot - and the planet, then.

DFI allows much more precise measurement of fuel supply and injection at pressures up to 120 bar; it has numerous combustion modes, with different cycles for cold-starting, low-speed driving and performance driving.

As the name suggests, DFI injects fuel directly into the individual combustion chambers, instead of the intake manifold. The injector valves have an electromagnetic mechanism that controls each injection with astonishing precision, while a high-pressure pump provides the necessary pressure—up to 1,740 psi—to accompany the rapid fire of the fuel injection.

Precise geometry of the injector’s position and its spray pattern is a key factor in helping to improve power, torque and emissions of the engines. The specific placement of the fuel as it enters each chamber creates a swirl that improves the air/fuel mixture, and therefore the overall combustion process.

At engine speeds up to 3500 rpm, a double-injection process is used. In this mode, the required fuel volume is delivered in two successive injections per working stroke. The resulting benefits include faster catalyst warm-up and increased torque in the upper load range.

By forming the air/fuel mix directly in the combustion chamber, DFI contributes to engine cooling. As a result, it is possible to increase the compression ratio and with it the power and efficiency of the engine.

The direct injection process is continuously adjusted. The engine management system reads changes to throttle inputs and performance requirements and, as you drive, the air/fuel mix is monitored and adapted as required. Oxygen sensor circuits within the exhaust system provide accurate emissions control.

**4by4** · #12 02-24-2010, 07:16 PM

Our C63 uses some oil but not too much.

**gasman1** · #13 02-26-2010, 01:04 PM

My 2009 uses no oil at 8K miles, but I've changed it every 4k and it was not low even one bar each time. However, the tail pipes are sooty and the engine runs a bit rich for the 1st minute when temps. are below 50 F. There is lots of whitish smoke and louder than normal exhaust during that time. This is not to be confused with the occasional white puff of smoke which all H6 engines seem to experience.