Used Cayenne Advice
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,598
Likes: 762
From: richmond hill
to the mechanically stupid people like myself, what exactly am i looking at here in the photos? i want to guess carbon buildup but im afraid to get laughed at..... 
Not completely just intake valves, here is more talk about DFI where these photos came from.
http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-b...-good-buy.html
and some nasty photos of a 2008 DFI Cayenne turbo, though 9A1 motor is isn't suppose to have this problem.
http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-b...-good-buy.html
and some nasty photos of a 2008 DFI Cayenne turbo, though 9A1 motor is isn't suppose to have this problem.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, C eh! N eh! D eh!
Yes... complete carbon buildup. I have dissembled VW heads with over 200,000kms that look clean in comparison.
I would suspect something else is going on for the buildup to be that bad. Running rich because of an aftermarket chip, turbo kit, or something else broke. That is excessive buildup and not very common these days...
Wow! I am shocked.
I would suspect something else is going on for the buildup to be that bad. Running rich because of an aftermarket chip, turbo kit, or something else broke. That is excessive buildup and not very common these days...
Wow! I am shocked.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, C eh! N eh! D eh!
I am reading more on this as I can't believe that build-up on a modern car. It makes now considering the nature of the DFI engine.
So, I would assume a MotorVac would clean this up no problem. Can it be done on a Cayenne?
So, I would assume a MotorVac would clean this up no problem. Can it be done on a Cayenne?
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,573
Likes: 97
From: great white north
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/driver-arr...km-h-1.1579936
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/11-arrests...kend-1.1250692
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/man-critic...auga-1.1518105
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/charges-la...over-1.1005574
Captain Obvious
Super User
Super User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 22,846
Likes: 348
From: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
If I'm not mistaken that's intake valve so running rich is not the issue. The lack of an injector constantly washing the intake valves from the deposits that pass by from the EGR and crank ventilation system.is the problem. I think the only way to get rid of this is by sealing the intake from the EGR and the crankcase.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,011
Likes: 690
^exactly, not sure that this is true but I've heard some companies are trying to prevent this problem by radically changing valve/fuel timing so that at certain times(idling?) the engine is back-washing the intake valve...
I'm not a fan of DFI at all, any small efficiency gain(real-world) isn't worth the complication/cost, IMHO...
I'm not a fan of DFI at all, any small efficiency gain(real-world) isn't worth the complication/cost, IMHO...
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,819
Likes: 3
From: Toronto
^exactly, not sure that this is true but I've heard some companies are trying to prevent this problem by radically changing valve/fuel timing so that at certain times(idling?) the engine is back-washing the intake valve...
I'm not a fan of DFI at all, any small efficiency gain(real-world) isn't worth the complication/cost, IMHO...
I'm not a fan of DFI at all, any small efficiency gain(real-world) isn't worth the complication/cost, IMHO...
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,011
Likes: 690
I agree from an engineering stand-point DFI is superior, but in real-world I do not see the benefits besides some initial turbo lag 'reduction' due to higher compression ratios, IMHO the cons(cost, complexity/serviceability) out weigh the benefits(lag reduction); I don't see any improvement in fuel economy or total power, again many different variables but trying to compare as similar as possible. I work on and drive a fairly large number of euro-turbo cars, these are just my personal findings, others may experience differently. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 4
Thought I had that coming... Someone just asked me this, so here is my story!:::::
There are a number of common problems with the Cayenne. I would personally recommend buying the newest one you can afford. Visit the rennlist cayenne forum and there is lots to read about them.
For engines: V6 don't seem to have any known issues.
V8 non turbo, has plastic coolant pipes which develop a leak and can lead to failed starter, torque converter seal, etc... also they suffer from cracking ignition coils due to thermal stress which can be seen as a rough idle or sometimes misfires. furthermore, an unconfirmed percentage seem to suffer from scored cylinder walls which I have yet to confirm the cause of but it can be read about. This is what I am going through with mine right now. Requires engine out, sleeving block and new pistons etc... very costly as you can imagine. Hard to check for that problem, it's the luck of the draw from what I can tell...
V8 turbo has oil squirter on pistons which seems to mitigate the scored cylinder problem. They however come with ride height adjustable air bag suspension which can develop leaks after a few years.
All of the cars are susceptible to the following issues:
Cardan shaft centre bearing/support premature failure (will have large vibration coming from the floor at speed)
Tiptronic shifting issues (oil will leak and wick up the TCU harness causing havoc with the controller. This results in hard clunky downshifts from 6-5 or 3-2. Other causes can be failed valve bodies on earlier cars (same symptom) or leaky trans with wrong fluid level. If you update the valve body a reprogram is required for the TCU. Make sure you test drive the car when it is at operating temp and do some moderately hard braking. Too light and you won't notice it. Too hard and you won't notice it. Has to be at operating temp.
Front drivetrain can become noisy: can be dried up CVs or noisy front diff is also common. Check for noise which sounds like wheel bearings wearing out.
Front cowl drain holes (under front wheel liner) will clog up with debris. This allows water to collect when it rains. The body design is such that it will seep through the seems, get into the cabin and flood the floor under the carpet with 20 liters of water or more! Pull back footwell carpet on floor and see if it is wet at all. Look for rust around battery. Blocked sunroof drain or ac drain at front firewall will cause water on passenger floor. The water on driver side will submerge the main body wire harness, short out lines and cause a park interlock and you can't drive the car.
Other than that they are great versatile, comfortable suvs!!!
Don't ask me why I know all these problems... I have had to deal with just about every one on mine. I will be looking for a new gen cayenne diesel once I get mine fixed up, for what it's worth. Stay away from anything earlier than 08 if I were you. Get 2008 or newer!
Good luck......... JR
There are a number of common problems with the Cayenne. I would personally recommend buying the newest one you can afford. Visit the rennlist cayenne forum and there is lots to read about them.
For engines: V6 don't seem to have any known issues.
V8 non turbo, has plastic coolant pipes which develop a leak and can lead to failed starter, torque converter seal, etc... also they suffer from cracking ignition coils due to thermal stress which can be seen as a rough idle or sometimes misfires. furthermore, an unconfirmed percentage seem to suffer from scored cylinder walls which I have yet to confirm the cause of but it can be read about. This is what I am going through with mine right now. Requires engine out, sleeving block and new pistons etc... very costly as you can imagine. Hard to check for that problem, it's the luck of the draw from what I can tell...
V8 turbo has oil squirter on pistons which seems to mitigate the scored cylinder problem. They however come with ride height adjustable air bag suspension which can develop leaks after a few years.
All of the cars are susceptible to the following issues:
Cardan shaft centre bearing/support premature failure (will have large vibration coming from the floor at speed)
Tiptronic shifting issues (oil will leak and wick up the TCU harness causing havoc with the controller. This results in hard clunky downshifts from 6-5 or 3-2. Other causes can be failed valve bodies on earlier cars (same symptom) or leaky trans with wrong fluid level. If you update the valve body a reprogram is required for the TCU. Make sure you test drive the car when it is at operating temp and do some moderately hard braking. Too light and you won't notice it. Too hard and you won't notice it. Has to be at operating temp.
Front drivetrain can become noisy: can be dried up CVs or noisy front diff is also common. Check for noise which sounds like wheel bearings wearing out.
Front cowl drain holes (under front wheel liner) will clog up with debris. This allows water to collect when it rains. The body design is such that it will seep through the seems, get into the cabin and flood the floor under the carpet with 20 liters of water or more! Pull back footwell carpet on floor and see if it is wet at all. Look for rust around battery. Blocked sunroof drain or ac drain at front firewall will cause water on passenger floor. The water on driver side will submerge the main body wire harness, short out lines and cause a park interlock and you can't drive the car.
Other than that they are great versatile, comfortable suvs!!!
Don't ask me why I know all these problems... I have had to deal with just about every one on mine. I will be looking for a new gen cayenne diesel once I get mine fixed up, for what it's worth. Stay away from anything earlier than 08 if I were you. Get 2008 or newer!
Good luck......... JR
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,598
Likes: 762
From: richmond hill
W...T...F !!!??? 
wow, i have a heartache from reading that.
wow, i have a heartache from reading that.
Thought I had that coming... Someone just asked me this, so here is my story!:::::
There are a number of common problems with the Cayenne. I would personally recommend buying the newest one you can afford. Visit the rennlist cayenne forum and there is lots to read about them.
For engines: V6 don't seem to have any known issues.
V8 non turbo, has plastic coolant pipes which develop a leak and can lead to failed starter, torque converter seal, etc... also they suffer from cracking ignition coils due to thermal stress which can be seen as a rough idle or sometimes misfires. furthermore, an unconfirmed percentage seem to suffer from scored cylinder walls which I have yet to confirm the cause of but it can be read about. This is what I am going through with mine right now. Requires engine out, sleeving block and new pistons etc... very costly as you can imagine. Hard to check for that problem, it's the luck of the draw from what I can tell...
V8 turbo has oil squirter on pistons which seems to mitigate the scored cylinder problem. They however come with ride height adjustable air bag suspension which can develop leaks after a few years.
All of the cars are susceptible to the following issues:
Cardan shaft centre bearing/support premature failure (will have large vibration coming from the floor at speed)
Tiptronic shifting issues (oil will leak and wick up the TCU harness causing havoc with the controller. This results in hard clunky downshifts from 6-5 or 3-2. Other causes can be failed valve bodies on earlier cars (same symptom) or leaky trans with wrong fluid level. If you update the valve body a reprogram is required for the TCU. Make sure you test drive the car when it is at operating temp and do some moderately hard braking. Too light and you won't notice it. Too hard and you won't notice it. Has to be at operating temp.
Front drivetrain can become noisy: can be dried up CVs or noisy front diff is also common. Check for noise which sounds like wheel bearings wearing out.
Front cowl drain holes (under front wheel liner) will clog up with debris. This allows water to collect when it rains. The body design is such that it will seep through the seems, get into the cabin and flood the floor under the carpet with 20 liters of water or more! Pull back footwell carpet on floor and see if it is wet at all. Look for rust around battery. Blocked sunroof drain or ac drain at front firewall will cause water on passenger floor. The water on driver side will submerge the main body wire harness, short out lines and cause a park interlock and you can't drive the car.
Other than that they are great versatile, comfortable suvs!!!
Don't ask me why I know all these problems... I have had to deal with just about every one on mine. I will be looking for a new gen cayenne diesel once I get mine fixed up, for what it's worth. Stay away from anything earlier than 08 if I were you. Get 2008 or newer!
Good luck......... JR
There are a number of common problems with the Cayenne. I would personally recommend buying the newest one you can afford. Visit the rennlist cayenne forum and there is lots to read about them.
For engines: V6 don't seem to have any known issues.
V8 non turbo, has plastic coolant pipes which develop a leak and can lead to failed starter, torque converter seal, etc... also they suffer from cracking ignition coils due to thermal stress which can be seen as a rough idle or sometimes misfires. furthermore, an unconfirmed percentage seem to suffer from scored cylinder walls which I have yet to confirm the cause of but it can be read about. This is what I am going through with mine right now. Requires engine out, sleeving block and new pistons etc... very costly as you can imagine. Hard to check for that problem, it's the luck of the draw from what I can tell...
V8 turbo has oil squirter on pistons which seems to mitigate the scored cylinder problem. They however come with ride height adjustable air bag suspension which can develop leaks after a few years.
All of the cars are susceptible to the following issues:
Cardan shaft centre bearing/support premature failure (will have large vibration coming from the floor at speed)
Tiptronic shifting issues (oil will leak and wick up the TCU harness causing havoc with the controller. This results in hard clunky downshifts from 6-5 or 3-2. Other causes can be failed valve bodies on earlier cars (same symptom) or leaky trans with wrong fluid level. If you update the valve body a reprogram is required for the TCU. Make sure you test drive the car when it is at operating temp and do some moderately hard braking. Too light and you won't notice it. Too hard and you won't notice it. Has to be at operating temp.
Front drivetrain can become noisy: can be dried up CVs or noisy front diff is also common. Check for noise which sounds like wheel bearings wearing out.
Front cowl drain holes (under front wheel liner) will clog up with debris. This allows water to collect when it rains. The body design is such that it will seep through the seems, get into the cabin and flood the floor under the carpet with 20 liters of water or more! Pull back footwell carpet on floor and see if it is wet at all. Look for rust around battery. Blocked sunroof drain or ac drain at front firewall will cause water on passenger floor. The water on driver side will submerge the main body wire harness, short out lines and cause a park interlock and you can't drive the car.
Other than that they are great versatile, comfortable suvs!!!
Don't ask me why I know all these problems... I have had to deal with just about every one on mine. I will be looking for a new gen cayenne diesel once I get mine fixed up, for what it's worth. Stay away from anything earlier than 08 if I were you. Get 2008 or newer!
Good luck......... JR
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 4
Don't let it overwhelm you. Use the info as a tool when you buy your car. Ask about all of these items and you can check for most of them when you look at a potential Cayenne. This will ensure a good purchase and you will be very happy with it! If you have any questions about them feel free to send a pm or just reply back on this thread I'll keep an eye on it.
JR
JR
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 60
From: Guelph Ontario
Don't let it overwhelm you. Use the info as a tool when you buy your car. Ask about all of these items and you can check for most of them when you look at a potential Cayenne. This will ensure a good purchase and you will be very happy with it! If you have any questions about them feel free to send a pm or just reply back on this thread I'll keep an eye on it.
JR
JR
