This was actually investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations it seems. In the final report (link below) it states the following:


"In response to ODI’s Information Request letter, Porsche identified a manufacturing quality issue with the supplier’s application of adhesive to coolant pipe fittings that resulted in elevated failure rates in approximately 6,800 early production 997 generation vehicles (MY 2007 and early MY 2008)."

So, YES...Porsche themselves admits sh!tty adhesive process. It states that by the 4th week of January the process was automated to ensure proper application of the adhesive. So if you have a March 2008 or later build date then you are supposedly in the "clear"


Water Neck part# 997.106.039.72 and 997.106.039.90 are most prone to failure. Apparently due to seeing highest temps of any of the coolant fittings.


Even though closed...people should REPORT these failures to NHTSA. Especially if in later production 08 and 2009 vehicles (since they claimed it was fixed) especially if driver control of vehicle was lost on public roads. If you were on a track, it doesn't apply.



Letter Sent to Porsche Cars NA:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...3009-56309.pdf


Porsche's response:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...009-57948P.pdf
*section 14a -->they basically threw tracked and modified cars under the bus*
*section 16 --> Porsche's explanation as to why you wont lose control if bond fails while driving*


Porsche's supporting attachments:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...009-57950P.PDF

NHTSA Final Decision:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...13009-5428.PDF


I want to thank my govt for making all this information public.


I hope this helps the community understand who is most at risk etc.

 

Wow, nice find.. Lots of detailed info in the supporting attachments.. talk about pulling back the curtain..

Thanks for posting..

 

A class action would be a good thing for this to recoup some cash for those that had it done on the outside and those who will experience it in the future.

 

That's a big ole NEGATIVE, if you modified,altered,changed or corrected you are void of any compensation or claim thereof. Sorry jack but no soup for you! Go to end of line! You pay me now!

 

They basically covered their a$$ by saying that as designed in stock condition you will never see a failure.

But I also think given the recent climate between regulators and German car manufacturers....if more people reported the issue to either PCNA or NHSTA it could pick up traction.

Although at this point since they explained why no hazard to the general public this might be more of a consumer protection thing, with original buyers of 2007 models having the strongest case as they were indeed delivered an inferiorly assembled product.

 

This is great info turboslut. Thanks for sharing as this summarizes the history of the issue and the builds affected. Unfortunately I fall in that space. When I do need to replace, more reason for injector upgrade I guess. :-)

 

This is great info. Thanks for sharing.

I have a 2009 and recently had my coolant lines pinned and hoses and things replaced including the sharkwerks elbows. I feel much better about everything now. Perhaps I didn't need to do it, but not a chance I wanted to take at 130+ mph on a track... We looked at the hoses and things when the engine was removed. I didn't have any failures but it is easy to see that there may have been some in the near future as the hoses and things were fatigued.

 

Since they made a point to exempt their workmanship for vehicles that are tracked or modified...I think pinning and the elbow replacement are still a good thing to get done regardless of the model year of your car, if you partake in either activity.

 

They should do a vote on how many coolant elbows fail vs coolant issue.

 

My '07 TT had leaks at several of the joints as well as the oil heat exchanger. I had all the fittings welded and replaced plastic elbows with Sharkwerks parts. It was $$ but I drive worry free. The dealer said they would have done the repair with new epoxy and this was just last year.

Thanks for posting these letters. I did report my car to the site someone posted back in 2013 when I first noticed the leaks.

 

2009 here, 30kkm (19K miles) ... Found this chasing a coolant leak .. Fitting held in place only by the hose ... Off to the welder now ...