Another Ship Stop

ralphmusic · Mar 22, 2021

Apparently a batch of 4.0L engines require rectification, according to German forums.

"Update from my PZ:
- all 4.0L affected 19.01 - 04.03.2021
- Connecting rods do not meet the requirements of Porsche quality.
- Can lead to engine damage.
- Connecting rods have to be replaced, but they will only be available from week 20 onwards."

Seems a Center engine replacement programme is planned?

Anyone have better information?

Motorhead · Mar 22, 2021

That’s not good news Ralph. I suppose an engine replacement programme will work out cheaper than stripping the engines to replace all the conrods, although a short engine would address the issue. A replacement engine will be warranted for another 3-years though and owners would prefer that.

Jeff

JohnCRS · Mar 23, 2021

There were some reports recently on Pistonheads where cars were being stopped on delivery, that is the new owner turned up to collect and was unable to do so. No reason given at that point, but now known as Ralph listed above.

Porsche (prospective) owners do put up with a lot, so shows the strength of brand loyalty. But given the limited mileages many cards do, perhaps other manfacturers would have just kept quiet in the expectation that few faults would actually be exposed. In this event Porsche should be applauded.

Nick_USA · Mar 23, 2021

Thankfully dodged this one, unlike the fuel bank recall that Ralph and I had to endure early on in our ownership.

PaulJ · Mar 24, 2021

As I took delivery of my GTS 4.0 on my birthday last November, I assume my rods will remain connected!

Scrounger · Mar 26, 2021

This is a hot topic on the 718 and Rennlist Forums and, as Ralph said, is apparently due to a connecting rod issue. These is a supposed issue with the suspension top mount bolts on the GT4/GTS as well.

Porsche are doing a full engine replacement but it only affects a certain VIN batch. Porsche advise not driving the car as it could lead to a catastrophic failure.

it would be worth contacting your OPC for an update if you’re waiting on a 4.0 or have recently taken delivery.

Motorhead · Mar 26, 2021

Dan,

The problem with the conrods sounds more like a material defect rather than with bolts maybe, but what’s the problem with the suspension top mount bolts? I would have thought they’re essentially carry-over from the 981. Another supplier problem! [

]

Jeff

Chris_James · Mar 26, 2021

Checked mine last week. Built Dec 2020 and delivered March. No recall listed according to dealer and also confirmed on Porsche re-call website. Just need to put some more miles on now.

Chris

Nick_USA · Mar 26, 2021

Chris_James said:
Checked mine last week. Built Dec 2020 and delivered March. No recall listed according to dealer and also confirmed on Porsche re-call website. Just need to put some more miles on now.

Chris

Re: Putting miles on, long overdue for us all! We'll give you a shout when we are about to 'invade'.

WD2020 · Mar 30, 2021

Mine was put on stop as I was about to leave OPC. I have cancelled the car As Fortunately they have a demo on order and have bought this one.

ralphmusic · Mar 31, 2021

Motorhead said:
Dan,

The problem with the conrods sounds more like a material defect rather than with bolts maybe,…….. Another supplier problem! []

Jeff

Here you go Jeff

Porsche GB seem less forthcoming.

Motorhead · Mar 31, 2021

Thanks Ralph. Good to see openness from PCNA.

Although Porsche have identified the problem reasonably quickly they’ve still got a lot of engines to replace*.

Jeff

*Edit: After my occasional gander onto PH I note that someone there reckons there could be up to 1,000 cars requiring rectification, with 200 in customer hands and 800 at the factory (or in transit maybe?). [

]

ralphmusic · Apr 3, 2021

996 cars, apparently....

JohnCRS · Apr 5, 2021

As per PH, I think I would be concerned if my car were rectified by the dealer fitting new rods. I can't see it being anything other than a replacement engine for those already in the dealer / customer network.

I did hear from my OPV that the gearbox fix on the GT4's was a complete replacement and destruction of the original. I was not economic to ship them back for repair!

Motorhead · Apr 5, 2021

I not sure that it will be economic to get the dealers to strip and rebuild the engines John, but maybe a short engine is a possibility for delivered customer cars? I’d agree that I’d insist on a new engine, particularly if my car hadn’t been delivered. Then, as with the 991 GT3 debacle, there’s the question of warranty. I suspect that as in that case, a complete engine replacement is the most likely outcome.

As you say, all the affected 981 GT4 transmissions were replaced rather than repaired but I’m not sure that - as with the PDK transmissions - the dealers are able or allowed to rebuild them anyway, returning them to the factory for a direct replacement.

Jeff

ralphmusic · Apr 29, 2021

There is a German report that delivered (and therefore presumed driven) cars will get a new engine, but those on hold at dealers will have connecting rod replacement / engine repair in the Centre. Built cars that have not been shipped to dealers will have engines repaired in the factory department that services Porsche fleet cars.

Usually reliable source but no other confirmation. Driven/new engine v not driven/rebuild seems a logical differentiation but very unsatisfactory for owners if true.

Reading Rennlist, PCNA are offering compensation:

ralphmusic · Apr 29, 2021

No wonder there is confusion..

ralphmusic · May 1, 2021

The guy who made the report in the above post has been told by Porsche AG that this will be the approach:

"I know something again.

I just received a direct call from the aftersales team at Porsche AG and the gentleman explained to me that the engine would only be exchanged for vehicles that have already been delivered. The letters were sent uniformly via the KBA (all registered vehicles) and it would not have been possible to communicate differently there.

For vehicles that have not been delivered (regardless of whether they have already been registered), the connecting rods in the PZ will definitely be exchanged.

He apologized to me several times and assured me that the 8-year guarantee with certificate will also apply to us and that we should have this confirmed in writing. The matter with the compensation would be a matter between the customer and the PZ and would have to be clarified between the two."

What a mess.

Motorhead · May 1, 2021

What a mess indeed Ralph. It’s going to take a while to strip an engine to replace just the conrods and big end bearings. Although more expensive, I would have thought that it would be more efficient for Porsche to supply short engines, and customers probably would prefer that to a repaired engine - less stigma attached.

Because the undelivered cars still belong to Porsche they can choose what to do to them, but do the customers have the right to reject them? I presume that would incur a lost deposit though?

Jeff