Ouch! That's going to be expensive.
Porsche to replace GT3 engines due to fire risk - Mar. 18, 2014
Porsche will replace the engines in 785 high-performance sports cars because of a risk that the current engines could catch fire. The move was made in response to two engine fires in Porsche 911 GT3s.
The GT3 is a track-oriented two-seat version of the 911 sports car. Prices for the car start at $130,000. It can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 3.3 seconds, with a top speed of 195 miles per hour.
The decision to replace the engines was made after Porsche engineers investigated two engine fires that occurred in Europe. Neither fire caused an accident or any injuries. Porsche had already warned owners last month to
stop driving the cars
and to have them picked up and taken to a Porsche dealer.
Engineers discovered that the fires were caused by a loose rod inside the engine. The loose rod caused damage that then allowed lubricating oil to leak out and ignite.
The 785 cars that will have their engines changed include 408 in the United States. The move doesn't involve any other Porsche models beyond the 911 GT3. Porsche is part of the Volkswagen Group
They are doing the right thing but my question is--- How would you feel about having the engine swapped out in your new $135,000. GT3 ? Would you feel confident in the redesigned rods? Or would you just want them to buy it back and move on?
My take...any company that would go to this level of customer service, I'd trust wholeheartedly. If they blow again, would Porsche say "tough luck?"....They would most likely then replace them again or compensate in some other way. Meanwhile, GM hides a defective ignition switch (that killed over a dozen people) for years before doing something about it. Shame on them!
I am curious about what will happen with the current engines. Could they be rebuilt and sold in new cars or just rebuilt and sold as replacement engines?
What rod would this be? Are these the titanium con rods, or something else?
Loose rods destroying engines? Where have we seen this before? Oh yes in the 987.1 series Caymans, sadly no fires erupted so Porsche never did anything about it and 987.1 Boxster and Cayman owners suffer engines that continue to crater to this day. At least the GT3 owners are getting some help. Looks like it takes a FIRE to get noticed.... my suggestion to any owner whose engine craters, set the car on fire and film it for your local news station to air.... maybe just maybe someone will notice and help you out too.
It would be interesting to know the history of the 2 that went down in flames. Miles/prior use/tracked/etc.
I understand that development testing does miss stuff - K-Man's lament - but on a GT3 with its anticipated hard use, that the rod issue was not detected bothers me a small bit.
Oh well - such is life I guess when you own a GT3.:hilarious:
:cheers:
so the replacement engines will maintain the cars matching numbers? how do they handle such things?
GT3 Turned into Toast
2014 Porsche 911 GT3 recall: Company will replace engines due to fastener problem - Autoweek
Re: GT3 Turned into Toast
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