seahawkeye

Yes, I'd also be interested in the result of this as we had the same messages for a 2013 Panamera 4 without only 5800 miles, no mods. 

Thanks to all for the suggestions, I've been out of town so haven't been able to look yet. The pictures are most helpful. @raceken your hi res pic is nice but I'm a little disoriented since everything is out of the car body--do I have to remove the engine from the car to find what you're referring to?

I don't mind having the sport exhaust on at all times. But I wonder whether I just need to get a new exhaust (maybe non OEM that is louder?). Will check car this weekend to see what is up so I can report back!

Thanks for thoughts--how do I remove the vacuum lines from the mufflers and plugging the lines, or disconnect the electrical connection to the solenoid?

Well, my sport exhaust went out again after tracking my car--this seems to only happen when i track it!

This is the 3rd time it has gone out now, and the dealership can't seem to get a permanent fix on it. Here is brief part replacement/history:

2011: R sided exhaust diaphragm leaking so was replaced (under CPO as this was right after I bought it)

June 2013: sport exhaust went out after tracking car but spontaneously recovered so nothing replaced

Oct 2014: solenoid was replaced after road america track days killed it

Oct 2015: nonfunctioning again after blackhawk farms track day (driven <1000 miles since Oct 2014). I did hear a 'doin-gggggg' like a spring coming loose as I was making a corner so not sure if this is what broke it or not

My questions:

1) it seems these cars commonly have sport exhaust failures--is it impossible to permanently fix it? i.e. is it worth paying $$$$ out of pocket to fix it if it might just go out again?

2) how difficult is it to diagnose myself, like using Loren's diagram? I am unfortunately not that handy with DIY but could go back a jack if that's helpful. could also bring to local indy/friendly dealer to put up on jack but will I be able to find the problem easily?

3) is it better to just be a new sport exhaust entirely and if so, which one would be recommended--a louder one than OEM would be ideal!

Good to know, thanks!

Thanks, will do!  Now the question is, should I also replace the rears to match heating cycles?

Cut the wall of my left front tire on the out track of turn 7 of Blackhark Farms Raceway today (apparently they put speed bumps just past rumble strip to discourage cars from braking too little). Kind person gave me a spare to get home. I'm currently using MIchelin super sports 235/35/19 for all four tires. They don't have a lot of wear on them as it's pretty much a track car only for me these days--I've put maybe 4 tracks days on them (including 2 days at Road America), probably 1-2K miles max.

Do I need to replace both front tires? Or is it ok to replace just the left front?

Thans Ahsai, I read the other threads on this but just want to clarify

1) is a leak the same thing as RMS/IMS 'failure'?

2) if I don't fix it will it lead to failure?

3) is taking the car on a track a bad idea if it's just a few droplets I see on the garage floor?

4) is it even worth fixing this? I saw one post where someone said it was a simple leaky connector and solved the problem, and someone else said not to worry about it because the car may never be the same once transmission/engine moved

Also, my coolant was quite low a few months ago and thanks for people on this forum, I changed the plug for it and topped it off. Level still looks good today.

Was getting my 2007 997 C4S teched for a track day and my indie guy found this moisture under my car--it is in front of the oil drain plug (magnetic from LN Engineering) which looks fine. Since the last oil change a few months ago I've only driven my car 3 times (total 10 miles or so), and I noticed a tiny amount of fluid in my garage underneath this same area. Oil level is completely full.

My indie guy is a BMW guy but thought it's maybe rear main seal? Neither he or I know though. Does anyone know where this is and should I be worried? Should I cancel my track day? What should I do?

Thanks Loren and RFM, ordered the cap and porsche antifreeze at suncoast!

Looks like the coolant on my 2007 has run below the 'minimum level' (see pic). My questions:

1) what is current recommendation for low coolant? Is it ok just to add to it or do I need to do some sort of 'flush' as described in this thread and if so how do I do this myself? I don't need to take this to a dealer right?

2) for coolant type should I buy the one on amazon in this thread and mix with distilled H2O? Is it a 50/50 mix at room temperature to add?

Best

Elliott

ok thanks for the suggestions, will check both the brake fluid and pads!

btw--the local guy told me over the phone that ceramic would be the way to go, is this other people's suggestion? Anything else I need to be aware of that needs to be replaced when new pads are put in?

My 2007 C4S has been on the track 3 total days now and total of 24,000 miles but since the last track event I've noticed the brakes have been a little softer than before. I assume this is a brake pad issue? I'm bringing it in a local indy dealer to have checked out but next question is which brake pads to replace? I got it CPO but I think it's stock with red calipers. Few options I've heard of:

suncoast

performance friction

hawk

Anyone have experience or recommendations for these? About how much should I expect it to run for brake pad replacement including labor?

I'm very happy with the OZ wheels. Have the 265 in the back and still happy 1+ year later but admittedly haven't driven it much this winter because of the massive salt/sand on the roads and my limited access to car washing (see other post about washing in winter). My garage is detached and there's no way I will get running water in -20 to 15 degree F weather outside.

Does anyone have a picture of the exhaust manifold screws/fasteners that are replaced?

What exactly do people 'rinse' after taking the car out in snow/salt? You pop open the engine compartment and spray hot water on it? It seems difficult to spray undercarriage without a lift! I would like to drive my car more often in snowy conditions, just worry about the salt and sand destroying the car

good suggestions all! I might try to bring it to a wash place once the temp warms up (if it ever does), but will also bring an extra microfiber towels to wipe off doors and everything nook and cranny possible

As many in the US have experienced this year, the winter has been quite cold, and Iowa City has not been above freezing temperature in a looooong time. I do want to be able to drive my car in the winter but find myself driving my other car to prevent my 997 from getting dirty. This is defeating the point of having a 4WD, winter tire ready car! I have not washed my car this winter yet.

Question: How do people wash their cars during the winter months when temperature doesn't go above 20 degrees Fahrenheit?

Option of 'touchless' car wash that I've used in the past has damaged my rims because of guide rails. Normally I wash it outside using my own house hose and several buckets, mitts, etc per previous post (below) but there obviously is no running water for the hose. Moreover, it's so cold that any water on the car freezes very quickly. I do not have the luxury of having my own temperature controleld indoor car wash like my condo building had in Seattle.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/44341-what-do-you-use-to-wash-your-car/?hl=seahawkeye#entry239214

Loren, is this something that would be an easy DIY fix or should I suggest this to my dealer?

jfoxny, sorry to hear this happened to you too, would be interested to know what they said

Has anyone had any problems with the sport exhaust failing (without and indication lights)? Does tracking damage this temporarily?

Brief history for my car for perspective: bought my 2007 C4S with sport exhaust and sport/chrono package as a CPO 2 years ago. The sport exhaust didn't work when I bought it so dealer tried to fix it but didn't work still so they fixed it again. Since then, it worked the vast majority of the time except after my first two track experiences (which by the way were incredible in this car!). I noticed that by the end of each track day I could not hear the sport exhaust anymore and was uncertain whether the sport button worked at all. Each time it fixed itself despite a trip to the dealer several months ago to investigate before CPO ran out but they found nothing wrong.

Should I be worried? Is it normal to temporarily go out after tracking? It's already been fixed twice by the dealer pre-tracking...

Mijostyn I haven't changed my summer tires yet but just tracked them for first time (using stock Michelins) and I need to do this now. All the research I did last year pointed to the Super Sports being the best of all worlds so that is what I'm going to go with. Good tip about the 305s having less howl but I think that is already stock on my Carrera Sport 19s..

Great discussion everybody. I finally self-washed this weekend and it overall turned out pretty well. For the most part the products I used worked well but a few had issues here's my thoughts

Long Chenille Microfiber Wash Mitt

Worked well to wash but it ripped at the seam between the mitt and the elastic band. I think it's still usable though

Wolfgang Deep Gloss Spritz Sealant 16oz

Not sure how much this added to my car. Does anyone have any other thoughts regarding sealant versus wax vs. protectant? I know there are some discussions already on other forums and Uwon gave some insight into this. How often should one do sealant vs. wax?

Didn't use the CA jelly blade but instead the supreme weave cobra guzzler which was good.

How many times can you wash microfiber towels?

Inspired by you guys I went on amazon and bought the following. How big a motor is necessary for the leaf blower? Walmart sells an electric 150 mph 7.5 amp motor lightweight handheld blower for $25--is this too weak?

Mijostyn when it snows do they salt/sand your roads and if so how often (and how) do you rinse the underside? They are notorious about using dirt/salt/sand on my roads but I still take my car out in the winter!

• [*]

The Supreme Guzzler Waffle Weave by Cobra

• [*]

Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Pad

Sold by: Palm Beach Motoring Accessories

[*] Wolfgang Deep Gloss Spritz Sealant 16oz

Sold by: Palm Beach Motoring Accessories

[*] Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo 16oz

Sold by: Palm Beach Motoring Accessories

• [*]

The Original California Car Duster 20114 Dry Jelly Blade (Colors may vary)

• [*]

2 of Carrand 40309 Long Chenille Microfiber Wash Mitt

Sold by: Amazon.com LLC

[*] The Supreme Guzzler Waffle Weave by Cobra

Sold by: MrZAccessories Quality Accessories from A to Z ( seller profile )

[*] 2 of Grit Guard Wash Bucket Insert

Sold by: ToysNGamesEtc ( seller profile )

[*] Mothers Wheel Brush

Sold by: Amazon.com LLC

[*] Griot's Garage 15704 Micro Fiber Wheel Wand, (Pack of 2)

Sold by: Amazon.com LLC

[*] Sonax 230200-755 Wheel Cleaner

Sold by: Amazon.com LLC

• [*]

2 of 5 gallon plastic bucket with handle - Food Grade - BPA Free

What do people here use to clean their car exterior? Has anyone ever used Optimum No Rinse? I've heard it's pretty decent and very easy to use with little water. Any other good suggestions? I've had my car detailed once and they made caused damage to leather (scraped inside door panel with ring I think). My black C4S is beautiful when it's clean but that's only for about 5 hours :)

How often do people wax and what kind do people prefer that is fairly low labor intensive?

Maybe there's a good discussion going in another group but I didn't see one here...

Excellent