996 Knocking & Power Loss: Seeking Trusted Porsche Mechanic

Hey there, I had similar issues with my 2003 Porsche Boxster last year. The symptoms you're describing sound very familiar, I experienced the same rough running, power issues, and increased fuel consumption. Turned out to be carbon deposits in the combustion chamber. After trying a few local shops, I finally found a solid Porsche specialist who properly diagnosed it. They had to do a complete carbon cleaning service, which included cleaning the valves and combustion chambers. It was pretty serious since the deposits were affecting engine performance and could've led to more damage if left untreated. The job took about two days, but it was worth it. The engine ran like new afterward, smooth idle, restored power, and normal fuel consumption. I'd definitely recommend finding a Porsche specialist rather than a general mechanic for this kind of work. These engines need someone who really knows what they're doing. Hope this helps point you in the right direction. -Mike

Hey Mike, Thanks a lot for sharing this, it's really helpful! Do you remember roughly how much the carbon cleaning service set you back? Also, curious if you've had any similar issues pop up since getting it fixed? Cheers, Tom

Hey Tom, Happy to help! Yeah, it cost me 425€ for the carbon cleaning service, which honestly wasn't as bad as I expected for a Porsche repair. The best part? Since getting it fixed last year, the car's been running perfectly, no more knocking or any of those nasty symptoms. The cylinder knocking issue completely disappeared after they cleaned out those stubborn deposits in the combustion chamber. I'd say it was money well spent. My Boxster feels like a different car now, super smooth, responsive, and back to its normal fuel consumption. If you're dealing with similar symptoms, I'd definitely recommend getting it checked out sooner rather than later. These engines are pretty robust, but carbon build-up can cause all sorts of headaches if you let it go too long. Let me know if you want the contact details of my mechanic, they really know their stuff when it comes to Porsches. Cheers, Mike

Hey Mike, Just wanted to update you, I took your advice and got my 996 checked out. Turns out you were spot on about the carbon build-up! Found a great Porsche specialist through another local owner. They did the carbon cleaning service for about 500€, bit more than what you paid but still worth every penny. The whole experience was actually pretty smooth. Dropped it off Monday morning, and they had it ready by Tuesday afternoon. The difference is like night and day, no more jerking, the power's back, and it's running super smooth again. Fuel consumption's back to normal too. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction. Sometimes it just takes someone else's experience to give you that push to get things sorted. Really glad I didn't put it off any longer! Cheers, Tom