After reading the article in the February issue of Excellence, I wonder that while the sudden loss of coolant due to the separation of coolant bung from the engine does affect the vehicle, I just am not sure how prevalent the event might actually be.

It also seems that the preponderance of those experiencing this problem actively and regularly track their cars. Not all of course.

I have a non-tracked car with 30k on it and I am trying to decide what to do about this problem. I am under CPO warranty until Feb 2012 and feel that is this were to occur, I would take advantage of the free engine out labor and have the bungs TIG welded. But if it doesn't occur during that period, what to do assuming this problem happening is a forgone conclusion.

Who out there has a high mileage 996TT that has NEVER experienced this problem?

 

I dont think its very common, id be worried if i ever overheated my engine, coolant leak from another source. From removing them they dont take much heat, i should have measured it with my laser temp gun to see what point they get soft. Didnt take much heating time with a small propane torch though but thats pretty hot. My car has 65k miles and I inspected the ones I could see, none look repaired and I track my car. Was considering doing it now but think I'll wait til it happens or I have the engine out for something.

 

Not sure if it is a certainty, but it certainly happened to me a few weeks ago while on the highway. It'll be going to the shop next week.

 

I have a interesting (at least to me) story about this. But mine is relating to the regular clips that hold the hose to the block, not the hoses that are attached with adhesive. Mine let loose right before I changed my turbos. I limped back home and replaced my hoses while I was at it. I fixed everything up and it happened again a few months later. I went and purchased new clips again and when I ordered them I noticed that the upper and lower have a different part number. When you hold them up together they look to be identical. Evidently not.. I swear the new set of clips seem to do the trick. I am not sure if this is true but check the part numbers and make sure they correspond to the appropriate hose on the car.

Just my .02..

Brian

 

I just got the car back from having this issue addressed. I'd be interested in hearing what others have paid to have this fixed.

My bill was $3600 including a "while you have the engine out" replacement of the water pump.

This did not please the significant other.

 

How was the issue addressed? Also, have you reported your experience with Porsche, to add to their "database"? You should also report it to the agency which tracks recalls...the more reported, the better the chance it will be recognized as a recall issue. Given the high public awareness of this issue and the denials by Porsche that there is a problem, heavy fines could be the risk they are taking if it ever gets ugly with someone getting hurt...aka Toyota...

 

It was addressed by welding the fittings in place.

No, I haven't reported it to Porsche or the NHTSA. Hadn't really thought about that, but my mechanic did say that they heave done this repair with several Porsches with the GT1 block (GT3, GT2, Turbo).

 

There are probably a lot of cars out there this has never happened to- Fairly common, but these forums make it seem like a lot more common issue that it really is (same with other major failures you see on the forums).

Forums give me car hypochondria too...

I have 27k on mine (low miles, yes...)- and my fittings have never popped out. If my engine is ever out for any reason, the fittings will be tig welded.

 

I feel the same way Paulunm "car hypochondria" ... I spend too much time on these forums, now I'm afraid of what will happen when I press the unlock button

 

Yep, I'm afraid of-

Breaking a timing chain
IMS failure
Fuel Pump Failure
Coolant epoxy failing
Tappet failure

These are the "big" failures I read about that keep me up at night. We have to realize there are A LOT of these cars on the road- and these failures are pretty rare. But our motors are "pretty" expensive too!

 

I never read anything about it, or at least I didn't pay any attention to posts about it, until it happened to me.

Once my TT puked all of its coolant on the highway and I started trying to match the symptoms to the problem, it didn't take me long to figure out what had happened.

 

82k here and I'm in Arizona, so its not like it doesn't get hot. Never had it happen, but if the engine is ever out I'll probably address it at that time. I don't think its a foregone conclusion.

 

Well, after reading IAPorschedoc's blog I am now scared....It seems that some components in the engine heads are pretty inclined to failure....tappets, camshaft housings and some circlips seem to be prone to failure...

Then I'm becoming paranoid about timing chain, IMS,etc..

60K on mine.

I'm seriously contemplating rebuilding my engine before something happens....This thing trapped my brain lately.