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May
5

997 engine failure – fact or myth?

by Phil Raby

911-carrera-4s-997-2005-2008

We’re hearing reports of engine failures on 997s, with number-six cylinder bore failing.

We’re naturally cautious of scaremongering, as the Internet is great at blowing things out of proportion, so we’re researching this carefully to find out if there really is a problem.

So, if you’ve had trouble with a 997 engine, please get in touch with Total 911, telling us about your experiences.

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15 Comments »

  • greg webb said:

    my 997 c4 engine 22k miles just failed today. Check engine warning then 2 minutes later it blow out smoke and stopped.
    now I am waiting for the repair

    # 7 June 2009 at 4:56 am
  • KonstantinMiller said:

    How soon will you update your blog? I’m interested in reading some more information on this issue.

    # 6 July 2009 at 10:05 pm
  • Isaac said:

    I have a 997 2S Auto with 33K. I was told by my Porsche dealer a bolt came loose in the drive and put the chain out. Now I need the engine replaced. They will not do it under a warranty. Not good enough Porsche. This should not happen to a full porsche servive history car and then be told to sod off. Think again when you want to buy that dream car. Top of the list in JD Power????? I’m not the only one with this problem.

    # 15 July 2009 at 3:36 pm
  • JK said:

    Isaac, have they told why they wont cover it? even if you are out of warranty they need to step up to the plate. I have a 997S 05, engine failed at 11,000 miles. They replaced the engine, i have 16,000 miles now. I know someone his engine recently failed less than 2000 miles on his 08 997. i am nervous as warranty is about to expire in a year or so. in 2002, my boxter engine failed at 15,000 miles. They also replaced the engine. when i moved on the car had 100,000 miles. I owned 3 Porsches, (2) 911 and a boxter S. 2 of the 3 had engine failures.

    the truth is my confidence is somewhat shaken, the touble of it all 911s are absolute joy to drive but at what cost. If Porsche is consistent in handling these failures when they occur, that will restore some of the confidence. Hearing some of the horror stories Porsche wont stand behind their product is devastating.

    I will keep on driving Porsche if an engine fails and they refuse to fix, without a doubt i will file a lawsuit and make sure the world hears about it.

    If a class action is formed, i will join and state the facts of my experience. it seems you have a case against Porsche since they left you out like that. My advice attempt to work with them to resolve this matter, if they refuse, move forward with a claim. Get couple people on board to form a class action, i will join.

    # 19 July 2009 at 12:15 pm
  • Stephan said:

    Can anyone recommend a Extended Warranty Company that will cover this damage?

    Thanks

    Stephan

    pellegrini_stephan@hotmail.com

    # 27 October 2009 at 1:08 pm
  • Phil Raby (author) said:

    Try Tech9

    Phil

    # 27 October 2009 at 2:07 pm
  • Dave said:

    I have had a 2009 model 997 C4S for three months. Last night the engine died on me with 1300 MILES on the odometer. Check engine light went on, “engine emergency/take car to workshop” message on dashboard, etc. I have treated the car like a gem since I got it and was driving it relatively gently during the break-in period.

    The dealership has it now and said that it was possible the car needed a “system update”. Waiting for more details. “System update”??? For $110,000, I need more reliability than this!

    Would love to hear any thoughts or opinions, as I’m a first time Porsche owner.

    # 29 October 2009 at 8:21 pm
  • Michael said:

    The answer to the question is clearly “YES” there is a long history with documented evidence of the same design flaw(s) engine failures over and over. Either it’s a cracked cylinder or Intermediate shaft problems. Which mean in most cases and eventual engine failure.

    # 6 November 2009 at 7:28 pm
  • mark weaver said:

    have a 997 C2, took it to the dealers for an intermitant misfire on bank 2 low on compression on all three cylinders. Paid the bill drove car 1 mile down the road filled the steet with smoke hydrauliced. recovered the car back to the dealers on removal of spark plugs number 6 cylinder dumped oil out. awaiting to see if porsche will contribute to repair. I’ll let you know how i get on.

    # 20 November 2009 at 9:07 pm
  • K. Reynolds said:

    Please allow me to share my experience’s with my 2007 Carrera 4S. Purchased new. Gentle break-in for 3000 miles. I’m the only driver, ever. Oil/filter changed at 3500 miles just to be safe. Driven 2-3 times a week. At 6k, alternator fails. 7k, rear spoiler won’t retract. 9k strange noise coming from left rear wheel area. Rear wheel bearing failed. 13k, right front radiator fan stops working. All is well until 15k service. Manager calls to tell me the rear main seal is just starting to leak and when the tech drained the motor oil, the oil was slightly “milky”, meaning a coolant leak somewhere in the block. Oh joy! Lucky for me the car is still in warranty and honestly, the dealer has been wonderful. They had the car for two weeks. Besides the new engine, they replaced the output seals on the transaxle, replaced both rear shocks (signs of leakage showing) all under warranty. They delivered the car to my home in an enclosed trailer!! Once backed out, I could see they had done a complete detail job on the car! Absolutely spotless! Thanks guy’s! However, I just don’t trust this car anymore. I have decided to just drive it and if it has one more major failure, it’s history. I’ll keep you posted.

    # 24 November 2009 at 11:38 pm
  • tonycastle said:

    24K and the engine is gone???? I drive my car on the track and take very good care of it… (2007 C2S) Now I’m replacing the engine. Very strange. At first, the dealer said i needed to replace the coils & plugs.

    # 3 December 2009 at 11:11 pm
  • gary littlefield said:

    i have a 2002 C4S with full main dealer history totalling £16000 of service reciepts,at 48000 miles whilst traveling at 20 mph warning light came on.pulled over next minute loud noise from rear.had car recoverd to porsche centre,was told that water leaked into pot five and would need to replace the engine,porsche offerd no help what so ever,and the bill has reached over ten thousand pound so far and yet to be running.porsche say that there in no fault with the engine,yet the replacement they have sent has been modified to stop such fault.i would be more than willing to take on porsche in court if anyone else would like to do so.as i do believe it would need five or six cases to get anywhere.please feel free to contact me garylittlefield@hotmail.co.uk

    # 16 December 2009 at 5:07 pm
  • Billy Newport said:

    My blog on my 996 engine failing has had a lot of comments with similar issues. Check it out for more info:

    http://www.devwebsphere.com/porsche/2006/08/engine_failed.html

    # 17 December 2009 at 3:38 am
  • myles fisher said:

    C4S CATASTOPHIC ENGINE FAILURE……i have two carrera cabriolets…both purchased new from dealer….a 2004 c4s, and a 2005 carrera……this week at 26000 miles, turned the c4s on (50 degrees f outside) and immediately heard ‘clang clang clang” noise in engine…shut down within two seconds total….no warning lights…had towed to dealer….no oil on ground…car had run beautifully the day before in 100 mile interstate trip…car computer had no red line activity…i have babied car…warm car up …not a race guy…..dealer has called and “engine blew up”…”metal pieces all over inside”…..oil all over floor of shop (had not turned car on yet)….they theorized maybe intermediate shaft or bearing or ????……jury out…and awaiting word…ENGINE CLANG CLANG NOISE IDENTICAL TO SOUND ON THE 26 SECOND VIDEO ON BLOG OF “PORSCHE ENGINE FAILURES”…ANY IDEAS ANYONE?….will keep all posted…and i have two of these porsches…confidence shaken here….

    # 30 December 2009 at 8:38 pm
  • sheldon smith said:

    2007 C2S engine failure at 18,000 miles. Downshipt from third and the engine stopped. Cranked engine and clank, clank, start, clank clank. Dealer said number 5 was scored? Replaced engine under warranty. They have a boat-load of engines in the back coming and going to Germany. The dealer didn’t fuss and it took a week. My 2006 Cayman at 17 k had no problems

    # 21 January 2010 at 6:17 pm

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