Engine Failure - 991.2 with 16k Miles
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 20
Engine Failure - 991.2 with 16k Miles
Hi everyone,
Been about a year since I posted my purchase of the car! Everything had been going so well with it, not a single issue, just basic oil changes and maintenance done at the dealers near me.
But wanted to see if anyone has heard of engine failure/ engine pressure problems with that 991.2 911 S's??? (bolded because I have the wrong model number in the title).
I was driving a client to the golf course yesterday, and out of nowhere the engine temp / coolant temp went to maximum red. Got the warning light that it's overheating and to pull over. Ultimately unscrewed the coolant cap on the side of the road and steam flushed out and coolant leaked on the road from below.
Thought maybe just a pan or something, but the dealer has had it for two days and can't figure out why the engine is overheating. They are doing a pressure test on the engine overnight and my service advisor sounded like bad news was on the way.
The car has just over 15k miles on it. I do NOT drive it hard at all, I baby it. Mostly keep it at the lowest RPM ranges, a lot of highway miles, etc. I have gotten on it a few times before, but talking a few minutes and nothing above 115mph.
So it's not like I've been racing it, and this is a modern Porsche 911 engine. I have to start scratching my head with a total WTF. Obviously will wait to see what they find, but has anyone ever heard of bad engine failures on these cars with low miles??
Been about a year since I posted my purchase of the car! Everything had been going so well with it, not a single issue, just basic oil changes and maintenance done at the dealers near me.
But wanted to see if anyone has heard of engine failure/ engine pressure problems with that 991.2 911 S's??? (bolded because I have the wrong model number in the title).
I was driving a client to the golf course yesterday, and out of nowhere the engine temp / coolant temp went to maximum red. Got the warning light that it's overheating and to pull over. Ultimately unscrewed the coolant cap on the side of the road and steam flushed out and coolant leaked on the road from below.
Thought maybe just a pan or something, but the dealer has had it for two days and can't figure out why the engine is overheating. They are doing a pressure test on the engine overnight and my service advisor sounded like bad news was on the way.
The car has just over 15k miles on it. I do NOT drive it hard at all, I baby it. Mostly keep it at the lowest RPM ranges, a lot of highway miles, etc. I have gotten on it a few times before, but talking a few minutes and nothing above 115mph.
So it's not like I've been racing it, and this is a modern Porsche 911 engine. I have to start scratching my head with a total WTF. Obviously will wait to see what they find, but has anyone ever heard of bad engine failures on these cars with low miles??
Last edited by Todd B; Apr 22, 2021 at 12:24 AM. Reason: fixed thread title
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 800
Likes: 213
From: Alabama
There are control valve blocks and vac lines that control the coolant flow in and around the motor. This is a notoriously weak general area for the 991.2 platform. Coolant temps shooting through the roof randomly on the 991.2 board isn’t terribly uncommon. Hopefully you didn’t get the motor too hot and it just needs some minor repairs to the above mentioned parts.
Last edited by A418t81; Apr 21, 2021 at 05:19 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 431
From: San Diego
Did you have your water pump replaced yet? If so, the dealer should have replaced a few other pieces in addition to the pump. I had to take my car back after the initial swap to do just this as my car went from normal to pull over, red lights flashing, fans going crazy, in a matter of seconds. Sorry don't recall exactly what additional parts were replaced at the moment. If you haven't replace yet, perhaps that is an issue or your thermostat is bad. See here:
https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1116...rrera-t-3.html
Side note, you should be very very careful about opening up your cooling system when it is hot. That is a recipe for disaster and some lost skin...or worse.
https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1116...rrera-t-3.html
Side note, you should be very very careful about opening up your cooling system when it is hot. That is a recipe for disaster and some lost skin...or worse.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 966
From: CT
Hi everyone,
Been about a year since I posted my purchase of the car! Everything had been going so well with it, not a single issue, just basic oil changes and maintenance done at the dealers near me.
But wanted to see if anyone has heard of engine failure/ engine pressure problems with that 991.2 911 S's??? (bolded because I have the wrong model number in the title).
I was driving a client to the golf course yesterday, and out of nowhere the engine temp / coolant temp went to maximum red. Got the warning light that it's overheating and to pull over. Ultimately unscrewed the coolant cap on the side of the road and steam flushed out and coolant leaked on the road from below.
Thought maybe just a pan or something, but the dealer has had it for two days and can't figure out why the engine is overheating. They are doing a pressure test on the engine overnight and my service advisor sounded like bad news was on the way.
The car has just over 15k miles on it. I do NOT drive it hard at all, I baby it. Mostly keep it at the lowest RPM ranges, a lot of highway miles, etc. I have gotten on it a few times before, but talking a few minutes and nothing above 115mph.
So it's not like I've been racing it, and this is a modern Porsche 911 engine. I have to start scratching my head with a total WTF. Obviously will wait to see what they find, but has anyone ever heard of bad engine failures on these cars with low miles??
Been about a year since I posted my purchase of the car! Everything had been going so well with it, not a single issue, just basic oil changes and maintenance done at the dealers near me.
But wanted to see if anyone has heard of engine failure/ engine pressure problems with that 991.2 911 S's??? (bolded because I have the wrong model number in the title).
I was driving a client to the golf course yesterday, and out of nowhere the engine temp / coolant temp went to maximum red. Got the warning light that it's overheating and to pull over. Ultimately unscrewed the coolant cap on the side of the road and steam flushed out and coolant leaked on the road from below.
Thought maybe just a pan or something, but the dealer has had it for two days and can't figure out why the engine is overheating. They are doing a pressure test on the engine overnight and my service advisor sounded like bad news was on the way.
The car has just over 15k miles on it. I do NOT drive it hard at all, I baby it. Mostly keep it at the lowest RPM ranges, a lot of highway miles, etc. I have gotten on it a few times before, but talking a few minutes and nothing above 115mph.
So it's not like I've been racing it, and this is a modern Porsche 911 engine. I have to start scratching my head with a total WTF. Obviously will wait to see what they find, but has anyone ever heard of bad engine failures on these cars with low miles??
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 445
just a side note... these cars are engineered to be driven hard. I read more problems about those that "baby them" than those that drive them hard...
I hope they find the issue for your engine and repair it.
I hope they find the issue for your engine and repair it.
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 20
Thanks everyone! Some great comments here.
What I find strange is that the dealer wants to do an engine compression test so they’re keeping the car overnight. Porsche Manhattan. Should I be concerned here? Will have the conversation with them and ask if they checked any of these suggestions.
Only items that got fixed are any recall items on the car.
What I find strange is that the dealer wants to do an engine compression test so they’re keeping the car overnight. Porsche Manhattan. Should I be concerned here? Will have the conversation with them and ask if they checked any of these suggestions.
Only items that got fixed are any recall items on the car.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 38
Likes: 37
From: Macon, GA
Same thing happened to me when I test drove my 2017 base 911. Dealer replaced the vacuum lines and valve block. 4000 miles since the repair and I haven't had a problem. There's a TSB on this:
Complaint - Warning "Engine too hot" and/or Coolant Leak in Coolant Pump Area: Checking vacuum lines and valve block (147/17) Model Line: 911 Carrera (991) Model Year: As of 2017 up to 2018 Subject: Coolant pump Information: Due to a manufacturing error, the coolant pump can leak into the vacuum area. The warning "Engine too hot" can also be displayed in the instrument cluster in some cases. In the event of a complaint about coolant loss and if the fault diagnosis indicates a leak in the coolant pump, all vacuum lines for the coolant pump must be checked for traces of coolant. If traces of coolant are found in the vacuum lines: The affected vacuum lines together with the valve block must be replaced before doing any other work. • If a vacuum line and/or valve block needs to be replaced: Check vacuum lines for traces of coolant. If traces of coolant are found, the coolant pump must also be replaced
Complaint - Warning "Engine too hot" and/or Coolant Leak in Coolant Pump Area: Checking vacuum lines and valve block (147/17) Model Line: 911 Carrera (991) Model Year: As of 2017 up to 2018 Subject: Coolant pump Information: Due to a manufacturing error, the coolant pump can leak into the vacuum area. The warning "Engine too hot" can also be displayed in the instrument cluster in some cases. In the event of a complaint about coolant loss and if the fault diagnosis indicates a leak in the coolant pump, all vacuum lines for the coolant pump must be checked for traces of coolant. If traces of coolant are found in the vacuum lines: The affected vacuum lines together with the valve block must be replaced before doing any other work. • If a vacuum line and/or valve block needs to be replaced: Check vacuum lines for traces of coolant. If traces of coolant are found, the coolant pump must also be replaced
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 893
Likes: 357
From: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Just took mine to the dealer at the same mileage 2017 4S. Have been watching a leak since ~3K miles, but it has been very very slow; pink residue, and an occasional hanging drop. Never anything conclusive on the ground.
Have since bought a few water pump and bench testing the seals and vacuum capabilities, as well as dyno testing the functionality of the engine's vacuum control of the pump. Will be posting some data soon.
Have since bought a few water pump and bench testing the seals and vacuum capabilities, as well as dyno testing the functionality of the engine's vacuum control of the pump. Will be posting some data soon.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 7,796
Likes: 1,728
I have a late build 2019 (it was my dealer's last 991.2 allocation AFAIK). I want to do a mild tune on it but this issue has held me back with 2 years left on warranty (and I don't believe APR pro-rates their warranty tune). I ask them to check this every time it's in. I had it in a few months ago for a frunk latch recall and they put it up on the lift for me to show all was well (they have been great to deal with). The tech shined his flashlight up to the side of the water pump and said "you even have the upgraded xxxxxx" (I missed what he said). So, I'm hoping this one holds up.
Good luck getting your repair and please post final verdict...
Good luck getting your repair and please post final verdict...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 431
From: San Diego
I have a late build 2019 (it was my dealer's last 991.2 allocation AFAIK). I want to do a mild tune on it but this issue has held me back with 2 years left on warranty (and I don't believe APR pro-rates their warranty tune). I ask them to check this every time it's in. I had it in a few months ago for a frunk latch recall and they put it up on the lift for me to show all was well (they have been great to deal with). The tech shined his flashlight up to the side of the water pump and said "you even have the upgraded xxxxxx" (I missed what he said). So, I'm hoping this one holds up.
Good luck getting your repair and please post final verdict...
Good luck getting your repair and please post final verdict...
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 852
Likes: 356
From: San Diego
Same, had my water pump / parts replaced early on (2017).... 42k miles, tuned, modded, etc. works great
I had my water pump and associated parts replaced in 2018 I believe (have a 2017) and have put 30K miles on it with no further issues. I read a few cases where a pump was replaced twice but I "think" in most cases, a single swap and it was solid. WRT a tune, I would be surprised if you'd have an issue getting the pump replaced. Now if it were your PDK or your engine, you'd likely be out of luck.