Has anyone heard of catalytic converter failure on the 997?

I have 997 C2S/2004 and after a high speed (110mph+) blast of 300miles, the standard sports exhaust sounded more rattling than ever before. A visual check turned up nothing. However, on the way back the noise and rattling got louder, so I took it easy. Engine lights came on half-way back home but none of the other indicators showed anything but normal operations.

Porsche OPC now said it is the left catalytic converter which is the culprit. Costs for replacement are UK Pounds 1,600 for 1 plus VAT and labour. So, no small change.

Has anyone had a similar failure? Also, I would have thought that changing 1 converter ONLY is not the done thing as the flow between the old and the new converters would be under different pressures and soon the right converter may go as well.

Any experience or thoughts here?

MadMaxUK

 

Go aftermarket running a 200cpi metallic cat from AWE/Fabspeed using the HJS cats. A lot cheaper than OEM and you will actually make some more hp with a much more aggressive sound. For the price of OEM you can replace both converters with the better cats. There is at least 12rwhp to be gained changing out the OEM cats to a 200cpi metallic cat.

IanUK1 is from Manchester, I know quite a bit north of you but I'm sure he will point you in the right direction.

Dave

 

Thanks Dave - will investigate the options but already looks like a clear winner over OPC standard and highprice rip-off policy.

 

An 04 997? amazing. 300 miles through the English countryside at 110+; even more amazing. Used cats from performance mods are a dime a dozen if you want to shop.

 

+1 on the aftermarket cats. I think that it is the only exhaust mod that made a difference in power.

 

I agree. If you don't want the added noise (and power) from 200 cell cats, see if you can find a set of stock cats from someone who has changed out to the high flow aftermarket cats. You should be able to get the pair for a fraction of the cost of a new one from dealer.

 

Not sure what Porsche's emissions warranty is in the UK, but in the US the cat should be covered for 8 yerars?? Check your warranty booklet and see if there are any special emissions pages.

 

Not sure if the cats are warranted seperately beyond the standard 2 year warranty here in the UK. Car is the dealer right now and am looking to get the Fabspeed/AWE replacement as I like the sound.

 

In the US the cats and all emissions related hardware have a seperate warranty beyond the manafactuers warranty. You will love the cats with the PSE.
Dave

 

It is better catalytic converter from Magnaflow for less than the dealer. I used, http://www.cwik.com as they had the best prices and free shipping.

 

They don't list any products for Porsches in the drop down selector.

 

On cold start up I hear a rattling sound for about 5-10 seconds, then it goes away. Indy shop says may be early signs of cat converter failure, anyone have experience with this ?

 

Yes I hear it on mine when I start up.... particularly paranoid on my car as for first two months no warranty.... It might be less than 5 seconds but when you are completely new to the car it does sound a little strange.

My car an 07 has only 26k on the clock if that helps as well. I would have thought by the fact you have the same its normal rather than a sign both are cats are on the way out....but what do I know

 

Chances are high that if the noise was from the converters you'd be seeing a CEL on and one or more error codes pointing to the converters.

But if you want get the car in the air and from underneath the (cold) car bang on the exhaust system with a soft mallet -- not too hard even then.

If there is any noise and you pinpoint it coming form the converters then the shop was right. However, it could very well be from a loose exhaust pipe fitting, or even a loose heat shield.

The noise you hear is most likely just the normal start up clatter these engines emit upon a cold start.

You can reduce this start up clatter somewhat by not running the oil too long -- it gets thinned out with unburned gas and water build up.

 

Had the exact same issue occur with mine last weekend... Travelling back through France, almost at the ferry coming back from the Alps after a cheeky late ski (3000 mile Euro ski/road trip) and the amber engine light came on.

OPC said today (first time I could get it in) that it needs a new catalytic converter. Should I inquire about getting both done? Or is 1 side replacement OK - seems not so for me but no knowledge here.

Car is a 997.1 2005 C2S X51 so has PSE inbuilt (Also factory -20mm and PCCB) that's gone 62k miles.

Cheers,
sb