My Engine

Just got the verdict - my engine in the CS is fine and dandy. I had a serious vibration & rattle that we initially thought was my engine failing. Around 1500 rpm when on the throttle, the car made a kazoo sound. (Yes, the service folks thought that was a humorous description but that's the best way I knew how to describe it.) Turns out the dual mass fly wheel was bad. The fly wheel has a part that moves from side to side and mine was seized and couldn't move. I also had a weak engine mount and a leaky power steering line. The next thing I'm embarrassed to tell and a little aggravated as well... I had the dirtiest air filter my service tech had ever seen! And he's been a tech for 20 something years. (He is a darn fine one btw!) He said that he doesn't know how air even flowed through it. He's saving it for me so maybe I'll snap a picture & post. It's got to be worth some kind of planet-9.com medal, right? So, I'm a little aggravated & wondering... should that filter have been checked at an annual service or tech inspection? John is pretty sure this is the ORIGINAL air filter that came on the car 40,000 miles ago. However, that's something I should have checked myself. Apparently, it only takes a phillips head to get to. So... I'm declaring today "Check Your Air Filter Day" here on Cayman Club. Don't assume someone has checked it!

SO............. Did they fit the better Oil/Air Separator? And as for the other stuff........ Were your Porsche Technicians not embarrased by all the other stuff not working ( Don't worry about the air filter - yes it was missed on your previous service) - shows what [expletive deleted] Porsche dealers are..............

One more thing... John Gladwill at Boardwalk Porsche in Plano, TX serviced my car. This fella is the best & I can't say enough great things about him & the Boardwalk service department. Porsche people constantly rate their service dept in the top 3 in the nation. Also, they are 1 of 20 in the US and Canada that report directly to a group from PAG.

I second her opinion on John. He is a great guy as well as driver and tech. In fact most of the work he does is primarily modifications. Saw him install a LSD a couple of weeks ago and for the record Boardwalk is located in Plano, Park Place is in Dallas.

Nope - Porsche should do this in response to the petition. This was the first time I was serviced by Boardwalk so they are not to blame for anything. CS Jeff (996 C2) had an issue during our region's club race/DE this year. John Gladwill, a truly great Boardwalk service tech, just listened to the car (he's a club racer - a 944 that can smoke some GT3s). He determined, just by the sound, it could be either the cam solenoid or the actuator. Jeff limped into Boardwalk and another tech fixed it within an hour! It WAS the cam solenoid. Jeff came back to the DE and I think he only missed one of his driving sessions. Their service department ROCKS! There's no way these guys would have missed any of this stuff. All of it was covered under warranty with the exception of the filter.

You are Lucky that your warranty is more than 24 months.............. Anyway Thumbs up to BoardWalk - great to hear you have such a good service team........... (No chance for us in the UK, where we pay 50% more for our cars, and only get an abusive 2 year warranty............)

What is up with THAT?! You could always start a petition. I would definitely sign in support of my Brit friends.

Caygirl, time to start getting your hands dirty with engine dust/grease rather than tire/brake dust! So... What flywheel are you putting in? BTW - Have the Softronic Race Plenum installed. Have yet to see a puff of smoke. Track my car pretty hard. Yes, knocking on wood as I'm typing this. The diameter of the Softronic hose is smaller than the OE. John has done all the maintenance and mod work on my car. Wouldn't take it to anyone else.

You know, if I knew then what I knew now... would study automotive engineering at Texas A&M, work for Porsche, and definitely get my hands dirty! Oh, and I would never design a bad oil separator. Probably . The OEM - was under warranty and I'm not keeping the car. Definitely moving to the 996 GT3. You are an awesome driver. Way to go, moving up to the highest DE group & smoking most of the cars in the group! I think the only ones that you didn't pass were the full race cars with very good drivers. Some (BEEZ ) believe that smooth drivers don't experience the smoke thing. But that can't be because I'm sooooo smooth... ok, maybe not. Working on that! I have seen the light! I'll never take mine to anyone else either.

Frisco Cayman did you just have your LSD installed by John, I saw a car your color in the shop about a week or two ago. Just wondering.

Is there anywhere one can find the consumer satisfaction index for Porsche service departments? I'm in Southern California, buying soon, and would definitely take my business to the highest rated local dealer. Thanks

To get back to a slightly more serious note: Caygirl, how many miles on your CS? What year? What kind of maintenance schedule were you using? And was it a dealer or an independent mechanic doing the work before Boardwalk? Thanks, John (in Meteor Grey) (& UT grad)

Moralem - Yes, that was probably my car. Went with the Quaife. Did you take any pics? Would have loved to have seen it in progress. Caygirl - Let us know how the car runs when you get it back. Will be interested to see how big of a difference there is.

mm - This is really good news - had me very worried after we talked a couple of weeks ago. Now, go get 'em... brad

caygirl, you need to put a few more miles on that car before you give it away, a trip to Atlanta! (hint, hint) glad to hear you're getting everything fixed

Right now I'm just over 42,000 miles on my 2006 CS. I was always serviced at the Porsche dealer where I bought the car - Park Place Porsche in Dallas (a site sponsor). I now use John with Boardwalk. But the folks at Park Place are nice. David Campbell is my salesman there and he is a member here as well. Randall Johnson is the parts manager and has helped me many, many times. A bunch of our member here a bought Escort radar detectors from their parts department - they offer our site a special deal. Randall is also a club racer with a 944. I bought the car pre-owned March 2007 with 15,000 and Park Place performed an annual service prior to my purchase. The car went in for service after that several times for various things. For whatever reason, the air filter was never looked at or changed. We're all human and make mistakes.

Hi there! I'm still on the fence about that - may be changing jobs. If I do go I definitely want to caravan up with ya'll. I'll tow my trailer so we'll have plenty of room for luggage, picnic baskets, etc. I don't think there's any kind of driving event in conjunction with this year's fest so I won't be bringing the race tires.

Would you two just go get signed up and get it over with please...

Caygirl - Just swung by Boardwalk to discuss a few things with John. Your car looks nice when clean! Drives nice with a clean air filter also! :banana:

Does anyone know if having the Oil/Air Separator installed would potentially cause issues with warranty? As in, would a dealer deny a warranty claim regarding the engine if the see such a device installed? I know it is a Porsche part, but can a dealer give one a hard time on this?

Glad she's all nice & clean. I pick her up Saturday. Did he show you the filter? He said he's saving it for me to see. So, I wonder what your car looks like when it's clean...

I wouldn't think so at all. If anything, it helps the engine. Discuss it with your dealer though. I think if you have a good dealer with a good service department, they will not give you a hard time about much. However, true abuse of the car or severe/numerous over revs could definitely lead to denied warranty claims.

Oh darn...I read this thread title and thought you had decided to keep the car and put the X-51 in the CS. POUT! Will you still visit us here when you become a snobby GT3 owner?

Nope - still have my engine. When are you dropping the X-51 in? If I was a new bride, I would definitely give my new hubby an engine upgrade! Maybe I'll garner some marriage proposals... I will never be snobby, no matter what I drive! Fast, YES... Snobby, NO.

So...? Now that you have her back, how does she drive? Change your mind about the GT3?

It feels like a new car!!! John is incredible. The car runs better than it ever has. Can't wait to do the next DE. I'm going to grid up right behind you so watch your mirrors!!! Still going to a 3 at some point. Won't switch until after Croctoberfest. You should come & bring your sweet family!

Um, it appears I spoke too soon on this. I guess I should have "knocked on wood" or something. Details to follow...

Rut ro......sitting on edge of seat.

What's the verdict? Time for X51?

I'll be in Dallas next week. Going by after work on Monday - John's pulling the oil pan to check for schrapnel. You should stop by & take a look. Not putting a X51 in. Will sell or trade after Croctoberfest. Someone will get a beautiful CS with a brand new engine!