Ugh... one morning copious amounts of white smoke / steam begin appearing from the right bank exhaust. No abuse / racing / nonsense / any other trouble leading up to this -- no "event."

Towed it to the independent of choice in Reno and -- survey says... -- cracked cylinder liner. As I understand it, this essentially means a new motor of one flavor or another (rebuilt by someone, obviously).

Firstly, has anyone heard of this happening in the 997.1 3.8 before? Second, is there any value whatsoever of appealing to PCNA? Obviously, I am out of warranty, but this seems so unusual...

Lastly, any leads on the best place to look for a deal on a short block motor? I'm getting quotes of around $18,000 - $19,000. Does this seem right?

Thanks...

 

Here is a 3.8 in Poland for $10k...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Porsc...r#ht_818wt_932

 

Kiesan... Saw that one yesterday on eBay! Have to wonder how that would shake out in truth -- once the effort had been made to get it all the way over here!

 

Sorry about your engine.
Can find one with 20 000km for approx 6500 USD here http://allegro.pl/porsche-carrera-91...431002322.html and for 7500 USD there http://allegro.pl/porsche-911-997-si...431639254.html

Yeah, I know, still in Poland

 

You can try to get some goodwill. Worth the effort.

I think if you have any chance of being successful in this you need to approach the dealer/PCNA the right way so you have to really think about this and come up with the right way.

My best idea would would be something like this: The crack is not due to lack of service, running the wrong oil, and (I hope) not due to ignoring a coolant leak. The car has received proper servicing and has not been abused or mistreated.

Thus you can argue that it is a manufacturing defect and while the car is out of warranty this kind of failure is one that a good will repair is made for.

Sincerely,

Macster.

 

The cylinders have been known to crack. Your's is definitely not the first, so Porsche knows about the problem.

Are you the original owner of your car? If you are, I think that there is a very good chance of PCNA stepping up and taking care of this. If you purchased the car used, I think your chances are slim.

GL and please keep us updated.

 

It is comforting to see that folks out there aren't writing off a chance of goodwill intervention. My situation wrt first / subsequent owner falls in a grey area... I am the second owner but the first was my sister-in-law. So it's been in the family and I know always dealer maintained at Porsche San Antonio, TX then here in Reno. Do I contact PCNA directly or go to our local dealer? Also, since I first took it to an independent figuring (hoping) head gasket or simpler issue, does this further complicate things? Do I want to get the motor over to Porsche for a look. Or, have the whole car towed over so they can check OBD?

 

You need to get the whole car over to a dealer.

No chance of goodwill with an indy acting as a middleman. The job needs to be 100% performed at the dealer.

You're the second owner. Doesn't matter even if you purchased from Jesus Christ, that still makes you the second owner. Goodwill may be a challenge on this one. Again, GL.

 

This happened to our Porsche Club Vice President last month on his CPO 2007 Carrera S that he bought two years ago. He had car towed to dealer who diagnosed the issue and PORSCHE replaced his engine which had cracked cylinder head with a remanufactured long block engine. Present your case to Porsche because they are well aware of this issue and they will assess your case........
Good luck !

 

I have heard of others (either here or on 6speed) that have had Porsche pay for the engine and the owner pay for the labor. Of course all done at the dealer. Worth a shot for sure.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't white smoke a symptom associated with the oil separator going bad? Thought I'd mention it since I'm curiouse how they determined the cause without breaking down the engine?

 

once the effort had been made to get it all the way over here!

 

PM sent.

 

I failed to mention the coolant literally dripping out of the tailpipes along with said white smoke. Also, ingition failure of the affected cylinder due to the plug being wet.

 

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