OK, this is for a friends car, not mine.

Driving along in 3rd gear at about 2600 rpm, the engine made some knocking sounds, the CEL started Flashing and the car lost all power to the point where it stalled and wouldn't fire up again.

Had the car towed to a local dealer and the dealer stated that the engine has seized due to running too lean on cylinder number 3.

He has just got extended warranty on the car as it is a 2004 model and just ran out of the original warranty, he has several mods including Intake, Fabspeed Exhaust and ECU Upgrade for K16 Turbos.

We haven't got any more info from the dealer yet as to whether or not they would cover this, can the dealer deny warranty based on the mods alone, is this something that happens to these motors, has anyone heard of this happening in the past, the car has about 12,000 miles on it.

Any input or advice would be appreciated.

 

If the upgraded ECU altered the fuel maps, they could easily deny coverage. Though, they have to prove that the mod was responsible for the siezure.

 

That about sums it up...

 

Which ECU mod did he have Stage 1,2 ect and who did it GIAC, upsolute, ect...

 

I am interested as well. What ECU mod did your friend have?

 

Wow this is scary to hear, i would also like to know what ECU he has and damm, sorry to hear

 

Ive seen 2 blown engines on a chipped TT over the last two years.... not going to mention which company casue I dont think it was their fault. it was a 2004 tt with 800 miles... I saw the PS2 readout at the dealer.. they r my friends.. and it had 60000 hours overrevs....(they calculate it in hours for soem reason)...
its because the diver probably downshifted into second instead of going into 4rht...

 

60,000 hours of over revs?

 

yes... they somehow multiply the overs revs times 1000 units or something liek that..... so he probably was hitting rev limiter... and hours do not mean 60 minutes.... I dont exactly remember how they explain it.... but I saw the car myself in chicago at loeber motors and it came from porsche exchange in highland park outside chicago.... they sent the ecu to get flashed and I know they got some heat for it cause dealerships are not supposed to do it... the owner said.. "hey the dealership offered to do it... so why should I be responsible for the blown engine". he got denied..... came to loeber motors and thought that he could get it doen there.... well he was already in the computer... and the same regional rep does all the chicago dealerships.
I physically saw the ecu pulled out with a sticker (tuner) on it...

 

I don't see how the ECU could cause it to be lean on 1 cylinder. Doesn't an over lean turbo motor burn the pistons and smoke a lot before it fails? This sounds like a valve train problem.

 

As I understand it, all after-market warranties contain broad exclusions if the car is modified.

Craig

 

Was the car ever run up on a dyno and have its afr's checked when the flashed ecu was installed?

 

If something like that goes down, I'd attempt to return the car to stock, reflash and all, prior to taking it to the dealer(new TT motor is 44k). The way in which the car was modified gives them a wide window to deny the claim.

 

I'm sure the tuner "stands behind his work" and will repair or replace the engine.

No, instead, be deceptive and make the warranty guarantor pay the claim.

 

That's pretty shady.