2001 Porsche 911 Turbo: engine overheating

Filed Jun 2, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 48,000 miles · FL

My mechanic informed me that porsche used an inferior and mechanically poor design for the engine coolant lines. They are glued together in a place where they get hot. After several heat cycles, they will fail. All cars with this engine design will have this failure over time. If the coolant lines fail while the car is moving, the slick coolant can get on the tires and cause an accident. Also, the engine can overheat with a replacement cost of over $20,000. Porsche is aware of this, as they have uses a superior threaded design on their race cars with this engine. I have been advised that this will take thousands of dollars to fix, and the car will be out of service for weeks.

Filed Jun 2, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 45,000 miles · FL

I have been informed by my porsche technician that porsche used an inferior and mechanically poor design for the engine coolant lines. They are glued together in a place where they get hot. After several heat cycles, they will fail. All cars with this engine design will have this failure over time. If the coolant lines fail while the car is moving, the slick coolant can get on the tires and cause an accident. Also, the engine can overheat with a replacement cost of over $20,000. Porsche is aware of this, as they have used a superior threaded design on their race cars with this engine. I have been advised that this will take thousands of dollars to fix, and the car will be out of service for weeks.

Filed May 13, 2013 · Engine · 39,700 miles · CA

I was accelerating up to highway speeds (65 MPH) on a on ramp when I heard a pop under the car. I felt the car shake and decided to pull over. I discovered coolant leaking from under the car and the shake was caused by my rear tires slipping and traction control compensating for acceleration under slippery conditions. Luckily I didn't loose control and crash into another person that may have caused injury or death to them or myself. The coolant piping is a well known problem with this year model car, it is only secured by a glue like substance not clamped, it seem the glue let go and caused a pressure release in my coolant system.

Filed May 12, 2013 · Engine · 78,000 miles · CA

Problem similar to case pe13009 incidents of sudden coolant loss which occurred while driving on public roadways well under highway speed limit (less than 60mph). The problem occur sudden with no way to avoid and check prior incident happen. This could cause huge issue to other motorway drivers and I hope porsche USA can be responsible for this.

Filed May 2, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 23,910 miles · UT

I was driving the car when suddenly the low coolant light came on. Instantly, temperature started rising and I shut it down. I wasn't sure what was wrong but I found coolant all over the rear wheels and tires. After sitting on side of road, another porsche owner stopped by. We thought the car was just overheating, so we added water. It seemed fine so I started driving home and then it happened again. We put the car on my buddy's lift and identified that the coolant was leaking from the top of the motor. After doing some research and talking to my mechanic, it appears that the coolant hoses that are bonded to the exchanger have separated. Apparently, the hose is glued to the fitting. They are both metal. My mechanic is still trying to identify a permanent fix but as of yet we haven't fixed it. I am waiting a bit to figure out the best way to fix the car to avoid future failure. The car has low miles and I am concerned after doing some research that it could happen again.

Filed Apr 20, 2013 · Engine · 42,670 miles · NJ

Engine coolant pipes that are epoxied in by the manufacture work themselves loose over time and cause a catastrophic coolant loss that sprays coolant all over the rear tires causing a very dangerous situation. I had to have the engine pulled and the coolant pipes replaced and wielded in.

Filed Apr 16, 2013 · Engine · 88,500 miles · CA

I was told by similar owners like myself that the 996 and 997 platforms coolant hose rupture due to being glued from the factory. I have owned the car since it had 19,000 miles and my car had 85,000 miles and I had not had an issue so I was not sure how true it was. On sep 29, of 2012 I was driving down the hwy with my brother when I noticed white smoke coming from the back of my vehicle. I pulled over and went to the back of the motor and the coolant hose near the alternator had pop off due to the glue not holding any longer. I'm glad that no one was hurt, but I'm afraid of the potential damage the coolant leaking if I would have been on a high rise ramp, on the highway where it could have potentially a death to myself or people following behind me. I have since talked to a few other porsche owners and they all seem to know many other owners whom have had this issue. Some actually damaging other's property due to spin out's because of the slippery coolant. Since then I have taken precaution and had a fitting welded in place, and clamped on. I believe the factory should have addressed this issue and done it correctly vs gluing a coolant hose.