9A1 DFI Engine Preventative Maintenance IS A MUST!
04-09-2020 | 06:45 PM
#16
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 160
Yes. I have heard of multiple cases where Porsche has covered this under warranty because they're aware of the issue and if they can stand behind it, they are. this is why i love Porsche.
I'm here...don't fret. The intention was to start the discussion. I had to leave yesterday because we are running limited staff and trying to make sure that 1 person stays in the office.
For those that asked the same question, from what we can tell, if you're aggressively rushing downshifts prematurely OR you're missing shifts OR you're banging the car off the rev limiter in high load corners in the taller gears, you're introducing the engine to a situation beyond what it's intended to handle. The change in inertia is causing the bolts to break. We don't know if excessive heat is exacerbating the situation. One thing is clear. This is not like the IMS issues where an appropriately driven street car can fail without warning. This is something you're exposed to if you drive these cars inapproprtiately. We raced DFI 911s and Caymans from 2010 through 2013 and never had an issue; drivers were missing shifts often but we also ran engines for roughly a season which is about 3,000 miles per engine. These engines are in the 10K mile range and these cars are tracked heavily. We are trying to create a list of engines that have seen an issue so that we can pinpoint it. RIght now it's specific to the 9A1 motors that came in the 991.1 and 981 generation cars.
I'm here...don't fret. The intention was to start the discussion. I had to leave yesterday because we are running limited staff and trying to make sure that 1 person stays in the office.
For those that asked the same question, from what we can tell, if you're aggressively rushing downshifts prematurely OR you're missing shifts OR you're banging the car off the rev limiter in high load corners in the taller gears, you're introducing the engine to a situation beyond what it's intended to handle. The change in inertia is causing the bolts to break. We don't know if excessive heat is exacerbating the situation. One thing is clear. This is not like the IMS issues where an appropriately driven street car can fail without warning. This is something you're exposed to if you drive these cars inapproprtiately. We raced DFI 911s and Caymans from 2010 through 2013 and never had an issue; drivers were missing shifts often but we also ran engines for roughly a season which is about 3,000 miles per engine. These engines are in the 10K mile range and these cars are tracked heavily. We are trying to create a list of engines that have seen an issue so that we can pinpoint it. RIght now it's specific to the 9A1 motors that came in the 991.1 and 981 generation cars.
Seems like Porsche has thrown a curve ball with this, they've gone from proven and tested steel in 987.2/997.2 to aluminum in 981/991.1
I cant see Porsche covering this outside of warranty.
The following users liked this post:
Formulabob (10-11-2020)
04-09-2020 | 06:48 PM
#18
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 430
04-09-2020 | 07:04 PM
#19
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 160
The road going 718 GT4 with 4L is an entirely different engine.
The following 2 users liked this post by James88:
porscheflat6 (10-30-2020),
Rick DeMan (04-09-2020)
04-09-2020 | 07:17 PM
#20
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,402
Likes: 430
04-09-2020 | 09:35 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,123
Likes: 837
From: 92 miles from Sebring
Peter
04-10-2020 | 03:23 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,309
Likes: 622
From: On a pygmy pony over by the dental floss bush
04-16-2020 | 02:11 PM
#23
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 70
From: Louisville KY
It has been almost a week since the last post on this thread. I bought a GT4 with just under 21k miles in October and the original owner tracked it a good bit (why does anyone buy these cars and not track it?) but he also did excellent maintenance and service, and very well documented too. I love the car, it has just under 25k miles now, and I have been to BMSP (Nov) and TMSP (Feb) b4 the shutdown, drove it down and back both times. I had plans for track weekends March through June with 2 events in May, a total of 5 more before summer plans required me to wait until Sep b4 going back to the track. The May & June events might still happen. But then this POST! My engine has 59 range 4 over revs and a bunch in range 1, and of course some in 2 & 3 but not a lot. I want to be proactive and replace the bolts before going back to the track. Tell me I’m thinking logically? I know it is a labor intensive job. And by the way, my 2013 C4S with 43k miles had an X-51 kit put on it in December 2016, while it had 23k miles. The kit did not come with different sprocket bolts. The originals were re-used, in case anyone thinks the X-51 kit will “fix this”. You will need to purchase the steel bolts from BGB or DeMan IF they will sell them? I am waiting to find out. Stay tuned, stay healthy and safe. This will pass and we will win.
The following users liked this post:
porscheflat6 (10-30-2020)
04-18-2020 | 04:07 PM
#26
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 664
From: Nyack N.Y.
I’m liking the way you think! 🤣
__________________
2016 GT4-R
Rick DeMan
DeMan Motorsport
Upper Nyack, NY
845 727 3070
Porsche Sales & Service
Porsche Race services and parts
www.DeManMotorsport.com
2016 GT4-R
Rick DeMan
DeMan Motorsport
Upper Nyack, NY
845 727 3070
Porsche Sales & Service
Porsche Race services and parts
www.DeManMotorsport.com
The following 2 users liked this post by Rick DeMan:
aryork (08-05-2020),
Scott O'Connor (10-12-2022)
04-19-2020 | 11:29 AM
#27
Thread Starter
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,792
Likes: 615
From: Ormond Beach, FL
Originally Posted by evil panda
So what I’m taking away from this thread is that a 4.5L upgrade is ‘preventative maintenance’. Got it. forwarding thread to wife...
Originally Posted by RobC4sX51
It has been almost a week since the last post on this thread. I bought a GT4 with just under 21k miles in October and the original owner tracked it a good bit (why does anyone buy these cars and not track it?) but he also did excellent maintenance and service, and very well documented too. I love the car, it has just under 25k miles now, and I have been to BMSP (Nov) and TMSP (Feb) b4 the shutdown, drove it down and back both times. I had plans for track weekends March through June with 2 events in May, a total of 5 more before summer plans required me to wait until Sep b4 going back to the track. The May & June events might still happen. But then this POST! My engine has 59 range 4 over revs and a bunch in range 1, and of course some in 2 & 3 but not a lot. I want to be proactive and replace the bolts before going back to the track. Tell me I’m thinking logically? I know it is a labor intensive job. And by the way, my 2013 C4S with 43k miles had an X-51 kit put on it in December 2016, while it had 23k miles. The kit did not come with different sprocket bolts. The originals were re-used, in case anyone thinks the X-51 kit will “fix this”. You will need to purchase the steel bolts from BGB or DeMan IF they will sell them? I am waiting to find out. Stay tuned, stay healthy and safe. This will pass and we will win.
I appreciate the phone call and the email though. I can call you back Monday.
Thanks again!
The following 2 users liked this post by BGB Motorsports:
evil panda (04-19-2020),
RobC4sX51 (04-20-2020)
04-19-2020 | 11:40 AM
#29
Thread Starter
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,792
Likes: 615
From: Ormond Beach, FL
Originally Posted by okie981
John or Wray, did you see my earlier question?
The 2 failed engines are a 12K mike Clubsport motor and a 25K mile 2013 Boxster S engine that was a daily driver for 2 years and then went to the track for prob 15 weekends.
If there are other unanswered questions, feel free to bump anything in this thread and I will see if Wray and myself can answer.
04-19-2020 | 06:10 PM
#30
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,309
Likes: 622
From: On a pygmy pony over by the dental floss bush
Sorry I missed it - thanks for the gentle reminder tho. Most people yell AND USE ALL CAPS!
The 2 failed engines are a 12K mike Clubsport motor and a 25K mile 2013 Boxster S engine that was a daily driver for 2 years and then went to the track for prob 15 weekends.
If there are other unanswered questions, feel free to bump anything in this thread and I will see if Wray and myself can answer.
The 2 failed engines are a 12K mike Clubsport motor and a 25K mile 2013 Boxster S engine that was a daily driver for 2 years and then went to the track for prob 15 weekends.
If there are other unanswered questions, feel free to bump anything in this thread and I will see if Wray and myself can answer.
Have all 981 series engines utilized aluminum fasteners in this location on the camshaft drive?