Hello,

I am new here, I am a Z06 guy on the Corvette Forum for over 10 years. But have always loved this site.

My father blew his engine on his 2004 Cayenne with 54,000 miles. Basically what happened is that my dad Loves his Cayenne, and does not drive that often, to keep the mileage down. So every few weeks he starts her up for a few minutes so the battery doesn't die. Well in our awesome age of multitasking, he walked away on an important call (He's a Doctor), and left the car running - with the car cover on! When he remembered several hours later the car had shut off and dumped all of it's coolant. Apparently the car cover was not letting and air in or out of the engine bay. Engine still runs but sounds like hell.

The options for engine replacement are very, very costly - we are looking at the possibility of used V8 engines. The Cayenne is in Long Island NY and Porsche wants $5K to do a Barium (Spl?) scope of the engine. Is there any mechanic near Great Neck 11021 that you guys can recommend? My dad is older, not a forum guy, and I don't want him to be talked into a bad deal on this.

Thanks so much.

Steve

 

It sounds like the coolant tubes went........and you need to just source a decent shop and engine.

Im not sure if the engines require extensive programming per models or wiring harnesses etc...

This requires an experienced comment from a tech I bet.

 

Find a used turbo engine Thats what I would do if my engine blew...

 

How would you handle all the other stuff that goes with the turbo engines (like brakes, electronics, computers, instruments, etc.. etc.. etc..) Inquiring mind wants to know.

 

A badly overheated engine isn't something you should bother to try to repair. The heads and block are made from aluminum that likes to warp when it's overheated. Chances are good coolant has made its way into parts of the engine it was never intended to be in.

So - what to do? I'd start haunting Ebay, and contact some of the Porsche wrecking yards. There is a big one in California who likely has an engine.. but dunno what they'd want for it. Wouldn't surprise me to hear around $5k or so given what the factory wants for a replacement. Probably cost $1,500 or so to install it. Make sure the coolant pipes are replaced with the new aluminum ones when the installation is being done.

Question is - is the car worth that expenditure? If your dad loves it - perhaps it is...

 

Call your car insurance company and file a report. They may cover it for you.... That it why we pay for. Things happen...

 

well, i guess it depends on the coverage(?). if they pay for your mistakes on the road, why not in a garage, right?

i'd call the insurance company and figure out what your dad want to do.

 

Highly doubt your insurance would cover the repair, but then again it doesn't hurt to ask!! Sucks that your Dad ruined his engine....but seeing that he is a doctor the repair cost shouldn't be too hard to cover!! I personally would trade it in for a new one, gonna take a hit at the dealer but will save you the headache of getting a new engine and all of the gremlins that could come with it!!

 

i was thinking exactly the same thing. way too much trouble to get 8-year old car fixed for a doctor! time for an upgrade! GTS perhaps?!

 

Thanks for the replies!

I'm inclined to agree that he should trade it in, but I think the car has sentimental value for him. He also kind of likes fixing things - especially cars and renovating homes - it's like hobby - a stressful one.

 

We found a rebuilt engine that looks like it might work out. Has a 1 year warranty on it too. DO you guys think this is better than buying a used engine?

 

I would have a mechanic look at it before you decide on what to do. A good mechanic can tell you if the engine needs to be rebuilt or replaced within an hour.

I question if the engine is damaged. Is there still coolant left, is the engine oil low or burnt? A simple compression check can determine health of the engine without a borescope, which is about $150 to buy anyways.

 

thats what i was thinking too, see the coolant pipe thread on here.

 

Also possible that the water pump went out. They make a horrible noise when the bearings start to go, and it's not all that uncommon.