Porsche to replace engines of current 911 GT3 models

Sports car manufacturer Porsche will be replacing the engines of all 911 GT3 vehicles of model year 2014. This is the corrective action derived from intensive internal analyses that were initiated in response to two engine fires. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that engine damage resulted from a loosened screw joint on the connecting rod. The loose connecting rod damaged the crankcase, which in both cases led to leakage of oil which then ignited.

After becoming aware of the two cases, Porsche promptly took action to avoid any risk to customers by advising them to cease using the affected 785 vehicles until further notice and have them picked up by a Porsche Centre. Now, engines with optimized screw fittings will be used in all Porsche 911 GT3 vehicles of model year 2014 – including in those that have not been delivered yet. The relevant Porsche Centres are in direct communication with customers worldwide to discuss the further course of action.

Porsche points out that no other 911 models or other model series are affected by this action.

Source [Porsche]

 

From CNN Money:

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

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How long will that take? 785 new motors to produce right now, and send to all owners all over the world. And surely some design change issues on the faulty screw. Doesn't this take months?

 

My initial expectation would be that Porsche will have dealerships drop and pull apart the engine, look for any possible damage, replace the faulty part, and slap it back together. I would be very surprised if they built 785 new short or long blocks.

Edit: I see DJ's post says the engines will be replaced and that the source of that info is Porsche. So perhaps they will swap out the whole thing. Still, that would surprise me.

 

That is a big decision but at the same time fair to the owners and the future buyers.

 

Lowell, I assume you don't know much about Porsche. They don't allow any dealer to break open a motor. Not even a 2000 Boxster. Dealers will get a crate motor and will ship the old motor to Germany.

 

Someone at Porsche just got their ass fired.......

 

GTCole, Wow, yes I did not know that. Thank you for the knowledge.

 

Lol, we have broken open more than one 986 motor. However, under warranty the cost advantage is not there. Between a ton of parts, labor, and risk, swapping an engine is much easier. I can pull a 997 Turbo engine in under 3 hours. Not overly difficult.

 

I'm hoping Andreas Preuninger doesn't get fired by Piech over this mess...it's hard to determine with the little info we have to see who's truly responsible for what has transpired but if you're familiar with Piech's response towards mistakes and/or failures, then you know that many heads will certainly be rolling over this enormous debacle.