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Engine Failure @ 32k miles Cayman S

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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 01:23 AM
  #1  
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Default Engine Failure @ 32k miles Cayman S

Hello long time viewer first time caller here,
I acquired a Cayman S in late January and last night my engine had a disastrous failure. I can’t seem to find anything similar to what I experienced through searching the forum.
Car had 30k miles on purchase. I put about 2k miles on it when this occurred. PDK transmission.
I was casually driving on some country roads by my house when I started hearing a ticking noise coming from the engine, I tried to limp it back to the house as I was only 4 minutes away. Very soon afterwards I noticed the vacuum assist on the brakes went out which was followed shortly by a loud pop. Car immediately begin losing power and spilling all of its oil. I ended up stuck in a private driveway off the side of the country road as there was no emergency lane to park by as I waited for a tow truck. This is the picture my mechanic sent me this morning. My passenger and tow truck driver mentioned seeing some loose debris on the road that I may have struck. I do recall hitting a pothole but nothing that seemed major or out of the ordinary.


Last edited by Fakemoney; Apr 1, 2022 at 01:33 AM. Reason: Forgot to mention it’s a PDk
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 08:39 AM
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Wow that is crazy! Good luck with this odd disaster, and it will be very interesting to see what the autopsy shows once they can dig into further
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 11:55 AM
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Hopefully it's just a vacuum pump failure. Had something similar happen to me at the track last month.
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 01:13 PM
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That sucks. It wouldn't be impossible for road debris to hit the vacuum pump but unlikely I would say. I've never heard of a failure like this on a 981 car.
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 08:49 PM
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Yeah so the shop is saying I’m going to need a new engine dropped in. “Engine came apart on left front, Cam blew out of the housing blowing shrapnel everywhere”
Insurance adjuster is going to take a look Monday. Worried they won’t cover it as there’s no external damage at all, but so far everyone that’s seen the picture including the dealer thinks there’s no way the engine did that itself. BGB quoted me 30k to put in a 911 3.8L. May go that route if insurance doesn’t work out.
Edit: thank you for all the kind replies. My friends weren’t as nice :/ think they’re just jealous.

Last edited by Fakemoney; Apr 1, 2022 at 08:50 PM. Reason: Didn’t want to double post
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Old Apr 1, 2022 | 10:16 PM
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very sorry to hear about this. damn....30K.

can you post more pics of the damage? thanks.
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Old Apr 2, 2022 | 02:22 AM
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Ouch, sorry.
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Old Apr 2, 2022 | 08:46 AM
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Out of pure curiosity, I'd love to know if anyone finds something that may have led to the failure.

II think you're on track w/ going to one of the aftermarket builders. Keep us posted on what you decide.
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Old Apr 2, 2022 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Fakemoney
Yeah so the shop is saying I’m going to need a new engine dropped in. “Engine came apart on left front, Cam blew out of the housing blowing shrapnel everywhere”
Insurance adjuster is going to take a look Monday. Worried they won’t cover it as there’s no external damage at all, but so far everyone that’s seen the picture including the dealer thinks there’s no way the engine did that itself. BGB quoted me 30k to put in a 911 3.8L. May go that route if insurance doesn’t work out.
Edit: thank you for all the kind replies. My friends weren’t as nice :/ think they’re just jealous.
Is your shop experienced with Porsche engines, the 9A1 variant specifically?
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Old Apr 3, 2022 | 03:27 AM
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Originally Posted by okie981
Is your shop experienced with Porsche engines, the 9A1 variant specifically?
Yeah I mean I didn’t specifically question their experience with the 9A1 engine. It’s a pretty small shop I got recommended to by a friend. The head mechanic/owner has an extensive history of working on German cars including employment at Porsche and Ferrari dealerships in my nearest major city. The insurance adjuster and tow truck driver both mentioned without me prompting them that they had worked with this shop in the past and thought the owner was fair and reasonable which can’t hurt.
I will post more pictures and info on the specifics of the damage whenever possible.
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Old Apr 3, 2022 | 09:26 AM
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I would have immediately looked for those "loose debris" that the tow truck driver spoke of. If related, could help your case with the insurance adjustor. Otherwise its too easy to say "sorry, your engine blew up, better luck next time".
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Old Apr 3, 2022 | 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Prairiedawg
I would have immediately looked for those "loose debris" that the tow truck driver spoke of. If related, could help your case with the insurance adjustor. Otherwise its too easy to say "sorry, your engine blew up, better luck next time".
it’s a bird…
it’s a plane….
it’s everyone’s favorite superhero
CAPTAIN HINDSIGHT

everyone told me it was probably just an oil pan or oil line and I was lost in the heat of the moment. If the adjuster says my engine just blew up and insurance doesn’t cover it, **** it we ball. I’ll drop the 3.8L 911 engine via BGB Motorsports such is life not crying about it.
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Old Apr 3, 2022 | 06:47 PM
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My point was, without being clear, you may still be able to. I guess if you're able to absorb a new engine without a second thought then that's great. I, myself would rather my insurance pay for it if it was covered. Enjoy the 3.8, should be a blast and good for making lemonade out a lemon.
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Old Apr 30, 2022 | 11:32 PM
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Verdict is in booster vacuum pump failure. Damaged camshaft and cylinder head. No signs of underbody damage. So at least I have a clean frame
Going to the kind folks over @BGB Motorsports so it’ll be in good hands! Something about a phoenix rising from the ashes ???

.
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Old Apr 30, 2022 | 11:38 PM
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I’m more surprised at the 282(?!) unread text messages lol
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