Hi, my check engine light came on and I brought it to a local mechanic.

P0300- Random misfire
P0303- Misfire Cyl. #3
P1371- Valve lift control checksum
P1363- Valve lift control Cyl. #3

They said they didnt even have the tools to check/fix this issue, and that it could be on the expensive side to fix if it were a problem. They suggested me bringing it to the dealer

Anybody have any ideas, experiences with these codes?

I do have an extended service contract
Thanks!

 

If it is a valve lifter then I would think your warranty would cover it. Pricey job at the dealer to replace a lifter. I would guess $1200 to $1500 for the dealer to fix a bad lifter.

 

thanks for the info. Do you have an idea if this is an urgent fix? could it end up being "anything small" or "everything big"? The car seems to run fine, accelerates, starts, etc, its just rough during idle most of the time when the light comes on

 

could also be a coil pack breaking down - mine had some of the same fault codes.

 

Panteralkn, when yours produced the same fault codes, did you simply change the coil pack and the car was okay after that?
thanks!

 

Yep! I pulled off the one throwing the error code (i seem to recall cylinder one) It was obviously cracked and arching. I took a look at a couple others and they were getting bad so I replaced them ALL! I think they were about 70 bucks each but don't quote me on that.

its probably worth looking at your #3 just to check - the plastic doesn't seem to last as long as it should.

 

Well, if it is under warranty.... use it.

 

I had a buddy of mine ( who is also a mechanic) take a look as well. He was also consistent and told me cylinder 3 was a culprit and advised me to bring it to porshe dealer. He also said at the worse case, it could be a new engine or something like that, which will be $$$ (hope for best and prep for worse) Can anyone enlighten me how his/her dealer experience was in regards to having something major replaced? Does the dealer try and avoid it? Or do they gladly do it, since there is an extended warranty (the one I have is a "platinum extended contract" from a reputable company, which is the highest level of coverage,btw)

 

My experience with Dealers is they will only replace your existing parts with new ones. Will not fix or repair what is wrong. This of course will drive up the price to put more $$ in their pocket. If you can find an independent shop that deals with extended warranty's I would go that route. I know of several reputable shops down here in Los Angeles but nothing in your area. Another plus in taking your ride into an independent shop is if the engine is dropped you can get additional work done (mods) without paying for the labor, since its being covered by your original issue. Only wish someone would have directed myself when I had issues with my Pcar. HOpe that helps or gives you some direction. My shops that I now work with are located in North Hollywood and Huntington beach....

 

I am bringing my car to the dealer this coming Monday. Wish me luck that its not too complicated AND that my service contract somehow doesnt find lingo in the interpretation to not cover the expense.

I've read in other threads that there is the chance that with these cylinder errors, the engine needs to be taken out, which is going to be $$$ (at worse replaced). Is that correct?

 

Update: brought car to the dealer, and they originally diagnosed that it was the ignition coils. It was covered by extended service contract. Later I got a call from dealer that the misfire was still there. More compression tests will need to be done. Anybody with experience on this? Could this be a headache? Massive problem? I'm hoping whatever it is, will be covered and the extended service contract co wont try to weasel out of it. Any advice to calm nerves would be appreciated

 

If they covered the coil packs then I would bet the would cover any internal issues.

 

Any normal extended warranty should cover any type of internal failure from the engine. you should be fine... good luck!

 

you're right! after testing, diagnosing, giving them the okay to take down the engine, and waiting a few days before the inspector came, the repair job was authorized! I was told the process of replacing the lifter would be a $3,200 job..mostly all attributed to labor. So glad this is being paid by the extended contract. Hopefully this fixes the problem, and there aren't any side effects. I don't want to go through this waiting process if something else is wrong related.

What should I ask the dealership to do other than to fix it? To test the hell out of it to make sure the CEL misfire doesnt come back? or is it a crapshoot?

 

When were the plugs changed last? I would see if you could just pay for the parts and they swap them while the motor is out.