need some knowledge
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: NJ
need some knowledge
Ok, I tried this on my porsche forum, and the guys over there know very little about the workings of a car compared to vette owners. Was wondering if any of you would be willing to give a fellow vette owner some feedback. The other day, I was driving and smelled smoke, but I thought it was an outdoor odor at first. Then I noticed a haze in the cabin. I was within half a mile from the dealership at this point, so I decided to take it right in. about 1/4 mile from the dealership, the oil pressure low light came on, then off, then on again. At this point, it started making an unusual noise. I pulled it in to the dealership, and noticed smoke coming out by the front right tire, clearly from under the hood. my brother later told me that he saw a large amount of oil in his driveway, which is where I was immediately before smelling the smoke. the dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced because "The cam chain tensioner had danced out away from the motor; loosened up causing the leak between the motor and tensioner" which destroyed the engine. The car is 2004, 80,000 miles, well out of warranty and they want 15,000 for a new engine with labor. any insight would be great. if it helps, pretend I said corvette, not porsche.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
It sounds like there was an oil leak that caused a low pressure condition in the engine. The description they gave you seems very ambiguous. Unless the chain tensioner moving out of position caused a normally sealed surface to open and it bled off oil pressure and starved the mains -or rods. Without knowing the specifics of the engine its hard to tell, and only possible to guess.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 679
Likes: 5
From: Caught between the moon and New York City TX
Sounds like an IMS (intermediate shaft) problem and your mechanic tells you the truth that it's catastrophic and that replacement engines are $15k. Your best shot in getting out of this deal is to find an independent mechainc in your area that can locate a rebuilt engine or the engine out of a wrecked 996. Unless your Pcar dealer is different than mine, they won't do that for you.You should be able to get that Not Official Porsche engine in your car for about half of what the dealer wants.
And, no it doesn't help to say "Corvette". A Corvette would never have this problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 42
From: shavertown Pa.
I think you need to look into getting a low mile used engine, there are plenty of engines can be had for much less than you were quoted.
The car has too many miles on it to sink that kind of money into it, the car in great running condition is barely worth 10K.
I would say you can get a low mile engine installed for around 2K at the most anything more would be nuts.
The car has too many miles on it to sink that kind of money into it, the car in great running condition is barely worth 10K.
I would say you can get a low mile engine installed for around 2K at the most anything more would be nuts.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 888
You are not alone, I would be surprised, given the professional nature of the owners, if a class action suit is not weaving its way through the courts. The article below agrees with your mechanic.
That guy on Craigs list that traded up from a nonsensical item into a 99 Porsche Boxster found out PDQ he shoulda kept the Bronco he traded for it, and ended the story advising he was going to get rid of the boxster, he couldn't afford the repair bills.
but here is the ugly truth about Porsche in print. I owned a 997 and 993, (past tense) I am of the same opinion, albeit without having to replace any motors:
and this article really explains what went wrong with your engine:
But I trust GM about as far as I can throw them, hence I bought the Master Guard GMPP for my 07 Z in Sept, and will do so in 35 months (or 35K miles) for my GS vert. Trust, but get extended warranties.
That guy on Craigs list that traded up from a nonsensical item into a 99 Porsche Boxster found out PDQ he shoulda kept the Bronco he traded for it, and ended the story advising he was going to get rid of the boxster, he couldn't afford the repair bills.
but here is the ugly truth about Porsche in print. I owned a 997 and 993, (past tense) I am of the same opinion, albeit without having to replace any motors:
and this article really explains what went wrong with your engine:
But I trust GM about as far as I can throw them, hence I bought the Master Guard GMPP for my 07 Z in Sept, and will do so in 35 months (or 35K miles) for my GS vert. Trust, but get extended warranties.
Last edited by SilverGhost; Nov 10, 2010 at 06:50 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
You are not alone, I would be surprised, given the professional nature of the owners, if a class action suit is not weaving its way through the courts. The article below agrees with your mechanic.
That guy on Craigs list that traded up from a nonsensical item into a 99 Porsche Boxster found out PDQ he shoulda kept the Bronco he traded for it, and ended the story advising he was going to get rid of the boxster, he couldn't afford the repair bills.
but here is the ugly truth about Porsche in print. I owned a 997 and 993, (past tense) I am of the same opinion, albeit without having to replace any motors:
and this article really explains what went wrong with your engine:
That guy on Craigs list that traded up from a nonsensical item into a 99 Porsche Boxster found out PDQ he shoulda kept the Bronco he traded for it, and ended the story advising he was going to get rid of the boxster, he couldn't afford the repair bills.
but here is the ugly truth about Porsche in print. I owned a 997 and 993, (past tense) I am of the same opinion, albeit without having to replace any motors:
and this article really explains what went wrong with your engine:
But getting back to the OP's issue, I agree that getting away from the dealership when it comes to replacing an engine is a good idea, especially if the dealership states that they will not install anything but new.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,636
Likes: 6
Wow, MVR, CNG, and Guibo really need to read those articles. They, too are "star-struck" on Porsches as being of stellar quality.
But getting back to the OP's issue, I agree that getting away from the dealership when it comes to replacing an engine is a good idea, especially if the dealership states that they will not install anything but new.
But getting back to the OP's issue, I agree that getting away from the dealership when it comes to replacing an engine is a good idea, especially if the dealership states that they will not install anything but new.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1552574966-post105.html
Your claims that I'm a blind Porsche fanboy ring hollow.
The point in the other thread is what was appealing about Porsche. You failed to see how the brand is appealing to some people, and refused to see value in differing opinions. Did you really want me to get into quality issues with Corvettes in that thread?
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Your claims that I'm a blind Porsche fanboy ring hollow
Did you really want me to get into quality issues with Corvettes in that thread?
Last edited by Dave68; Nov 11, 2010 at 12:12 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 67,942
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '12
2012 Election Contest Winner
Ok, I tried this on my porsche forum, and the guys over there know very little about the workings of a car compared to vette owners. Was wondering if any of you would be willing to give a fellow vette owner some feedback. The other day, I was driving and smelled smoke, but I thought it was an outdoor odor at first. Then I noticed a haze in the cabin. I was within half a mile from the dealership at this point, so I decided to take it right in. about 1/4 mile from the dealership, the oil pressure low light came on, then off, then on again. At this point, it started making an unusual noise. I pulled it in to the dealership, and noticed smoke coming out by the front right tire, clearly from under the hood. my brother later told me that he saw a large amount of oil in his driveway, which is where I was immediately before smelling the smoke. the dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced because "The cam chain tensioner had danced out away from the motor; loosened up causing the leak between the motor and tensioner" which destroyed the engine. The car is 2004, 80,000 miles, well out of warranty and they want 15,000 for a new engine with labor. any insight would be great. if it helps, pretend I said corvette, not porsche.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,636
Likes: 6
They are just now being recommended by Consumer Reports? We've already gone over pricing: Corvettes are priced that way because they have to be. Otherwise, they wouldn't sell in the volumes that GM wants (which is still way less than what Porsche sells in sports cars anyway). Quit acting like the GM offers everything that Porsche offers at a discounted price, because they don't.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
bottom line....the engine is toast....ran w out oil. Yes...I would find an independent shop or mechanic and locate a used engine to replace...don't let the dealer bend you over!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: NJ
thanks guys. I got some shops I am going to call, but its a cayene s and I dont think there are many rebuilt engines out there, at least accoridng to a few guys on rennlist. trying to get insurance to cover it, we will see what happens.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 67,942
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '12
2012 Election Contest Winner
This actually is a VW engine.
Check ebay. You can get one from a wreck for not all that much
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsc...Q5fAccessories
Check ebay. You can get one from a wreck for not all that much
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsc...Q5fAccessories
