Black Smoke & Stalling: Boxster Engine Woes

Hey there, I had similar issues with my 2013 Porsche Cayman last summer. The symptoms you're describing match exactly what I experienced, rough running, black smoke, and poor performance. Took it to my Porsche specialist, and it turned out to be incorrect software values for the fuel pump control module. The diagnostic showed the pump was getting wrong signals, causing too much fuel to be delivered. The fix wasn't super complicated, but it needed dealer-level diagnostics and programming. They had to update the ECU software and recalibrate the fuel pump parameters. Not a DIY job for sure, but also not a major mechanical issue. The whole thing took about half a day to sort out. I'd definitely recommend getting it checked at a certified Porsche shop, they have the right diagnostic tools for these specific issues. Regular mechanics might miss this kind of problem since it's more software-related than mechanical. Hope this helps!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know about the software issue, sounds very similar to what I'm dealing with. Do you remember roughly how much the repair set you back? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you had any other problems?

Hey again! Happy to give you an update! After my last message, I took my Cayman to the mechanic and the diagnosis was spot on, it was indeed the Low pressure fuel system fault causing all the trouble. The fix was exactly what I had suspected: incorrect software values for the fuel pump. Total cost was 45€ for the software update and recalibration, which honestly wasn't bad at all considering all the stress it was causing! And you asked about how it's been running since? Like a dream! No more black smoke, no stalling, and the engine's purring like it should. It's been about 8 months now and I haven't had a single problem. Fuel economy is back to normal too, which is a nice bonus for the wallet! Honestly, it was such a relief to get it sorted. These Porsches can be finicky with their electronics, but once you get the right diagnosis and fix, they're absolutely brilliant machines. Let me know if you need anything else, always happy to help a fellow Porsche owner!

Thank you so much for all the details! I actually just got back from the mechanic today, and you won't believe it, it was exactly what you described! The fuel pump software needed updating, and they found some incorrect parameters in the ECU. The whole thing cost me about 500€, which included a full diagnostic check and the software update. A bit more than what you paid, but my mechanic also did a thorough inspection of the fuel system just to be safe. The car's running perfectly now, no more black smoke, stalling, or that awful jerking. It's like driving a completely different car! Really grateful for your help, it saved me from going to multiple mechanics and possibly getting unnecessary repairs. These Porsches sure are special machines, but knowing what to look for makes all the difference. Thanks again for sharing your experience, you really helped me out here!