Buyer Beware! Likely Bore-scored 2009 Cayenne Turbo S for Sale on BAT
03-29-2021, 12:25 PM
#1
Buyer Beware! Likely Bore-scored 2009 Cayenne Turbo S for Sale on BAT
This car was recently brought to my attention (VIN WP1AC29P09LA82572): https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...ne-turbo-s-14/
I first watched and listened to the engine video a few days back and I didn't like what I heard. I thought that I detected slight but audible piston slap (it certainly has not progressed to the point that it's blatantly obvious). Although it is subtle, some of you who have experienced this issue or know what piston slap sounds like may hear it. If this doesn't apply to you, you are likely to think it sounds perfectly fine. This morning I listened to the walk-around video and I am more certain of my initial diagnosis. You can hear the tick of death quite clearly from the front quarter angles. In my experience, this is the position where it is easiest to discern.
At this point, I am 95% certain that this engine has early stage cylinder bore scoring. Disclaimer: I have no vested interest either way in the outcome of this sale. I am simply relaying my belief and hoping to save someone the agony of a $20k (cost of new engine) mistake. I also wish no ill will to the seller. I suspect that he has no idea--many people would believe this tick is just another normal engine noise (until it gets louder)--and I respect the fact that he posted the videos in the first place. I reserve the right to be wrong in my diagnosis, but I don't think I am.
My suggestion to anyone that is thinking to bid on this car: inspect it in person and bring someone along who knows what piston slap sounds like.
Here are the videos:
I first watched and listened to the engine video a few days back and I didn't like what I heard. I thought that I detected slight but audible piston slap (it certainly has not progressed to the point that it's blatantly obvious). Although it is subtle, some of you who have experienced this issue or know what piston slap sounds like may hear it. If this doesn't apply to you, you are likely to think it sounds perfectly fine. This morning I listened to the walk-around video and I am more certain of my initial diagnosis. You can hear the tick of death quite clearly from the front quarter angles. In my experience, this is the position where it is easiest to discern.
At this point, I am 95% certain that this engine has early stage cylinder bore scoring. Disclaimer: I have no vested interest either way in the outcome of this sale. I am simply relaying my belief and hoping to save someone the agony of a $20k (cost of new engine) mistake. I also wish no ill will to the seller. I suspect that he has no idea--many people would believe this tick is just another normal engine noise (until it gets louder)--and I respect the fact that he posted the videos in the first place. I reserve the right to be wrong in my diagnosis, but I don't think I am.
My suggestion to anyone that is thinking to bid on this car: inspect it in person and bring someone along who knows what piston slap sounds like.
Here are the videos:
03-29-2021, 01:39 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
It sure has made the rounds. Wonder if it is truly a hot potato?
03-29-2021, 06:40 PM
#4
Well, I let the cat out of the bag on the auction page. It will be interesting to see if the seller acknowledges the issue or becomes defensive. I am also interested to see how BAT handles this as I'm considering using them in the near future. I have a sneaking suspicion that there are more than a few polished turds that slip through their site and I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end.
Last edited by brett968; 03-29-2021 at 06:49 PM.
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Pillow (04-05-2021)
03-29-2021, 08:06 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
Too bad I can't put an offer of $5000. If the engine is toast, that's a generous offer.
03-29-2021, 08:06 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
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03-29-2021, 08:21 PM
#8
03-29-2021, 10:31 PM
#9
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For whatever it's worth - the possibility (perhaps probability) that the engine is on it's way out is being talked about in the BAT comments. It will be interesting to see how that's resolved. Right now it has a bid of $26,000 which is about $18,000 more IMHO than a Turbo/S with a bad engine is worth. The car presents well, and is well spec'd (except for the Bose audio), shame if it has the fatal flaw. It wouldn't be terribly easy to find a used turbo/S engine, and I'm not certain how much difference the standard Turbo engine is.
03-29-2021, 10:38 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
Yeah, not good when you can hear the knocking over low flying jets.
You would think it would be very prominent with the hood open, but it's not.
You would think it would be very prominent with the hood open, but it's not.
03-30-2021, 12:27 PM
#13
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I listened to the videos a couple times as well. It sure sounds as though there is scoring beginning there. The build is 10/08 and mine was 08/08 and my understanding was that after certain point in the summer of 2008, they stopped using the bad honing process as well as the supplier. If it is indeed scoring, which it sounds like to me, it must be caused by enviromental issues and or neglect.
As noted by posts on BAT, the car has failed emmisions multiple times. That is a huge red flag right there and is one more data point supportive of the theory that it has scoring. I bet if you check cylinder #8 it will be down on compression.
As noted by posts on BAT, the car has failed emmisions multiple times. That is a huge red flag right there and is one more data point supportive of the theory that it has scoring. I bet if you check cylinder #8 it will be down on compression.
03-30-2021, 12:36 PM
#14
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Real shame as that car is in super nice shape.
03-30-2021, 01:17 PM
#15
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
...I've now become overly paranoid that this thread was going to point out a Meteor Grey Metallic Turbo for sale and link it to me. I'm not selling, and I wouldn't touch this one either. I am however working to acquire a replacement that will be scoped from the oil pan prior to entry...just...Yeah I don't fault you at all here, happy it didn't look anything like mine 