997 Stalling + Black Smoke: Help Needed for Porsche Crisis

Had similar issues with my 2008 Porsche Cayman S last year. The symptoms you're describing match what I experienced, black smoke, stalling, and poor performance. Mine turned out to be a faulty fuel rail pressure sensor, along with a clogged fuel filter. Took it to a certified Porsche specialist, this isn't something I'd trust to a general mechanic. The job involved replacing both the pressure sensor and fuel filter. It was a pretty serious issue since incorrect fuel pressure can damage other engine components if left unchecked. The repair took about a day and a half because they had to access some hard-to-reach areas in the engine bay. Since the fix, the car's been running perfectly, no more smoke, stalling, or performance issues. Fuel economy is back to normal too. I'd definitely recommend getting it checked out soon to prevent any potential damage to other components. If you need a reliable Porsche specialist, try checking the Porsche Club of America forums for recommendations in your area. They usually know the good ones.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know it was the fuel rail pressure sensor in your case. My symptoms sound exactly like what you went through. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? And has everything stayed running smoothly since then, or have you had any other issues pop up?

Hey there! Happy to help update you on my experience. Just to let you know, after getting my Cayman S fixed last year, it's been running like a dream! The total bill came to 240€ for fixing the pressure sensor, definitely worth every cent considering the difference it made. The mechanic confirmed it was definitely the faulty rail pressure sensor causing all that drama with the black smoke and stalling. Since getting it sorted, I haven't had a single issue pop up, no more check engine lights, the fuel economy is back to where it should be, and the engine's performance is spot on. It's like having a completely different car! I can actually enjoy driving it again without worrying about whether it's going to stall at the next traffic light. Trust me, once you get yours fixed, you'll notice the difference straight away. The peace of mind alone is worth it. Let me know how you get on with yours!

Great news! I took your advice and finally got my 997 fixed yesterday. Found a great Porsche specialist through the PCA forums, just like you suggested. Turns out you were spot on, it was the fuel rail pressure sensor causing all the trouble. The whole repair came to about 300€, a bit more than yours since they had to order a specific part for my model. The mechanic was super professional and even showed me the old sensor, it was completely shot! They got it done in just one day, which was faster than I expected. Took it for a spin this morning and wow, what a difference! No more black smoke, engine's running smooth as butter, and the fuel economy is already way better. Really glad I didn't wait any longer to get it fixed. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me make the decision to get it sorted. Now I can finally enjoy driving my Porsche again without worrying about every little noise!