Planet 9

Background of the problem:
My 2006 Cayman S is currently in storage in a semi-heated garage. The other day I deceided to start it up and move it in order to keep the tires from developing flat spots. The car is on a battery tender and hasn't been moved in seven or eight weeks.

The problem:
The car seemed to start ok, but the idle was strange. Sounded like it was misfiring. I moved the car out of the garage and noticed the "check engine" light was illuminated. I let the car run for a few minutes to see if the idle would smooth out, but it did not. I put the car back in the garage and after thirty minutes I decided to start it again and see if the problem was still there. Upon starting the car again, it started and idled normally with no check engine light.

Has anyone had a similar experience? What do you think could be the problem? My only thought is the possibility of condensation. Perhaps on the coil, which wasn't able to fire properly? I'm not sure. I called the dealer, explained the situation and to my surprise they didn't feel it necessary to bring the car. Do you think I should bring it in to have the code read?

Any advice is much appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Angelo

What dealer did you call for that?

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2004 BMW 745Li (Sterling Grey)
2006 Porsche Cayman S (Seal Grey)

I remember someone posting a similar experience in the past - IIRC, it turned out to be nothing major either. IMO, if it is running fine now, and no CEL, then there is probably nothing to worry about.

You might check with your local Autozone or similar store, to see if they can pull the fault code for you (I think they often do it for free) if the dealer service won't do it.

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Andrew My Blogs My Garage My Articles
2006 Cayman S Tiptronic (Year-round Daily Driver & Part-time Track Toy)
Mods: SRP, DREAM-1, VentureShield, Xpel Headlamp shields, 35% Tint, MotorDrive Front Mesh Grills, Bumperplugs..
Track Prep: Pagid Yellows, Champion RS98s/NT05s, Deka ETX14 Battery, CG-Lock, Extinguisher, Rennline towhook, BBI Harness/Rollbar

Happened to me recently - I parked the car in the garage in mid-November after the last DE of the season - in mid-January, I started it up to take to a local "indy" shop to get the oil changed and the brakes flushed and bled... got the rough idle and misfires, and the check engine light "take to workshop" notice... I restarted the car, and it was fine - took it to the shop, had the work done, and we read it out with Durametrics - just some misfires. I took the car into the dealer to have them clear the CEL and misfires - took them 10 minutes, did it for free. It's no big deal. I chalked it up to condensation.

Car runs fine - I was turning 2:55s in the rain at Spring Mountain this last weekend.

brad

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22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

Every once in awhile on cold days I have the same thing happen...a rough idle or a cough on acceleration ...I usually start the car and exit my driveway in about 15 to 30 seconds after ignition, if I have any signs of the spitting I give it a little gas and wait a second or two and all is right with the world. I've only had it throw a yellow light once but it soon vanished after a restart.

My advice...drive it....no matter what the weather...I enjoy this car too much to have it sit in storage.

I Had the Same Recently................ Fired Up Again - Drove 12 Miles Gently............ Everything Felt Good.

Stopped, Fired Up Again (No Warnings) Drove in 'Sprited' Fashion 20+ Miles...........

No Problems............. Perfect Function.............

Just Felt the CS Needed to Blow out the Cobwebs....................

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Cheers Karel



'Power is Nothing - Without Control..........'

I just started my CS after 5 weeks. Ran fine. Did you put "Stai-Bil" in the gas before storage? Maybe you had some stale gas in the lines. Just a thought.

Thanks for all the responses. I'm relieved to hear others have experienced the same thing.

The dealer who advised me not to bring the car in was Stoddard Imports in Cleveland, OH.

Stoddard is one of the best dealerships in the US. If you don't have any faults showing up on your dashboard like a CEL or the red exclamation point, then they are correct in telling you not to bother bringing it in. They'll read them out the next time you bring the car in for service. If you do have those lights on, take it in and have them clear the faults.

brad

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22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

Great! I had always heard good things about them. Nice to have an upstanding dealer in my area. I think we've all heard plenty of stories where dealers don't act in a responsible manner so they can make a buck.

i don't understand why people store their cars if they are not going away for an extended period of time. i drive mine all year round

I hope your being sarcastic 808..if not, may your surfboard fall off your roof rack and scratch your paint....

From:
Freezing our tailpipes off in NJ..

Wait a minute, I'm from NJ and I drive my CS whenever I have to go someplace. Except when it's snowing, and all the SUV's are out sliding into the telephone poles and making the body shop guys happy.

sorry, i couldn't resist. i'm glad you recognized my rather "dry" sense of humor...i truly feel for those of you who have to store your cayman because of the weather.

You won't be laughing the next time a hurricane washes away some part of Hawaii, or lava consumes another house.

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Brett

2008 Cayman S Arctic Silver, Carrera Red full leather, Carbon Fiber package +, 19" Carrera Sport wheels, short shifter, Quaife TBD, GT3RS steering wheel

Some interior carbon fiber pics: ClickMe!