Intake-valve carbon and water pump on the 981 Boxster/Cayman

Engine / equipment

Porsche 981 Boxster and Cayman (direct-injection flat-six)

Period mentioned

2012–2016

Symptoms

Rough cold starts, a slight misfire under load and an engine light for cylinder misfires; risk of overheating if the water pump fails.

Possible cause described

With direct injection, carbon builds up on the intake valves, typically around 80,000–120,000 km; it is cleaned by walnut blasting. The water pump has a plastic impeller and is best replaced preventively at around 90,000–120,000 km.

Check for the garage

Read misfire codes; inspect the valves with a borescope; check when the water pump was replaced.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database