I'm seeking advice on if and when to get this preventative maintenance on my 997.2 RS. Currently has 7500 miles 2011 model year. I primarily use the car on the street and may do a track day or two per year.

The cost I was quoted by a very reputable outfit was 5k which labor accounts for $4500 due to the engine removal. I would also have the clutch disk replaced while the engine was off but that is not a critical replacement.

Based on the mileage, driving patterns and cost is this something you would complete now or would you wait for:

- failure
- a specific mileage or
- scheduled major service to complete.

There is a peace of mind component in getting the maintenance completed now but I also don't want to shell out several thousand if my car and driving patterns don't put the coolant lines at a high risk for failure. Thanks for the feedback.

 

I took mine to the shop the day I bought it. I ended up doing a bunch of stuff while the engine is out. You can search it here. Mine was done a year ago. Totally worth the piece of mind. Mine was a 10k mile car when I got it last year.

 

If you track it at all, please have it done. If you had seen a 997 dump coolant on track or felt it first hand, you wouldn't even be asking. It's scary as hell. I'd never want to be the cause of someone else's accident based on a known, fixable problem.

 

I don’t track. Waiting until weather gets colder to have the lines pinned and to put a preventative fix on for the harmonic/actuator issue. Around 10.5K miles on it right now.

 

Here is JoeJenie’s thread: https://rennlist.com/forums/997-gt2-...ngine-out.html

 

Since you track, do it now. Otherwise, I would do it when you are about to do a major service like spark plugs, coils, or need a new clutch.

 

Don't track without them pinned:welded. I haven't tracked mine but got them welded as soon as I got it along with a few other things while I was in there

 

Please also be aware that more clubs especially PCA chapters require proof of coolant line fix as well as replacement of the 2 plastic elbow connectors in order to attend DE’s. I was at mid ohio pca’s event at Indy a few weeks ago and proof was mandatory!

 

I had all the preventative maintenance done shortly after I got mine. Had lines pinned, Sharkwerks coolant pipes, new RS 4.0 clutch, flywheel, all new bolts/nuts for clutch work, Dundon harmonic dampener, new expansion tank, and a bunch of hoses and o-rings.

 

Failure of the OEM coolant pipe fittings is simply not predictable. I know of one 997 GT3 that had a failure at 10k miles with virtually no track time. There are others that have never failed, even with lots of track miles. It's a game of Russian roulette.

Failures on the track get the most attention because the consequences can be catastrophic but these fittings have been known to fail on the street, too. If you ever sell the car, having welded or pinned fittings becomes a strong selling point.

 

After reading these responses I'm in agreement 100%. Glad everything worked out with SW. That is who I would contract with for the maintenance.

Agreed

Can you elaborate on this issue?

Very helpful thread to build out other items to complete while the engine is out.

Holding off on track for now. I race with a lemons team so I have a track alternative. Although the 84 camero handles quite differently than the RS

Yep

Haven't heard of that one but it makes sense.

How is the new clutch and flywheel? Dundon harmonic dampener?

All great points.

Thanks fellas. This is a high priority with road driving and mandatory before heading to the track. I'm on the list at SW for December or January depending on their current backlog.

While I wait did anyone install the SW tune that increases HP by 15? I am considering this as well. Thanks

 

29,000 miles on mine...hard miles (27,000 track)

no pinned lines

I don’t track it anymore so wait til they pop

 

If you go to the track before pinning, at least run water wetter.

 

Like everyone else said on tracking.
Regardless of others protection, spending $5-10k on your car may save it from a mishap and a much bigger loss.
Next buyer will ask if you sell, might as well do them.

Oh yea, hey, when you have them done, you can feel confident using the car for real!

 

What month and year was your car produced? Mine was fairly late 2011 model year. Any indication that this issue was known to Porsche and they fixed it in the late production runs?