Porsche Panamera 971 Turbo damaged by Air Filter?

[RobBell737]

Has anyone had any issues with the Air filter getting sucked into the Turbo and causing damage?

The car is under warranty but Porsche wont honour it as they are saying the filter was wet.

[RobBell737]

I don’t know they are saying I must have driven through a puddle but I haven’t and it was dry on the day it happened.

The filter is damp only at one end.

[RobBell737]

Thanks for the information.

It happened on a dry day accelerating up a hill with no water on the road and the car went into limp mode with the Engine Control Fault displayed on the screen.

I managed to get the car home and called Porsche assistance who sent the AA the next day. The car could not be fixed so was recovered to the dealership the next day when it was raining.

Initially I was told it was the Electronic Control Unit that needed replacing then a week later I was asked if I had driven through any water and told this was the problem.

I went to see the car and does look like this but I havent been through any water and like you said questionable whether just paper could do this damage.

So far this is what the dealer are saying regarding warranty:

1. We have not found evidence of a warrantable defect on your car.
2. Our inspection lacks evidence of water ingress around the air filter housing, leading us conclude that significant water has been ingested through the intake.
3. We have used an endoscope today to check the intercooler and have found clear evidence the air filter has been sucked into the intercooler, as a result of excessive water entering the system.

Unfortunately, this is not covered under the Porsche warranty.

[RobBell737]

[RobBell737]

This is the only other picture I have of the car.

It seems like a design flaw if the filter does not have some kind of mesh to stop this issue as you said other brands do.

I still dont know what work is required to fix the vehicle and currently exploring insurance while I try to get them to honour the warranty.

Thanks for you help.

[RobBell737]

I've had the car for 20 months and the filter was brand new in July 21. The manufacture guidance is 10,000 miles or 2 years and it hasnt done the miles or the time.

The Driver’s manual also does not state anywhere not to drive when it is wet.

I have spoken to another owner with the same problem and his filter failed in the same place.

[RobBell737]

Finally got a repair bill.

The dealer is still saying not covered by warranty but Porsche customer care are now involved and are looking at making a payment towards the repair although they are also looking into it being covered by warranty!!!

[RobBell737]

Finally been told why its not covered: Very Vague...

External factors or events outside our control (including, but not limited to accident, hail, flooding or other extreme weather conditions, war or anything caused directly or indirectly by war, riot, fire, invasion, civil unrest, revolution, terrorism, vandalism, theft or attempted theft of or from the Vehicle or similar event); or any act or omission that is negligent or against the law;

[RobBell737]

Finally won my case through the Financial Ombudsman so if anybody else has the same issue it should be covered under the warranty.

[RobBell737]

Sorry to hear that.

Which Porsche dealership are you dealing with? Open a case with the Financial Ombudsman and they will pursue Real Garant Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft the insurance underwriters of the warranty.

Have they said why it’s not covered?

[RobBell737]

I don’t anymore.

They tried the same with me.

Insurance won’t be interested as it’s not flood damage.

They will try and claim “external influences” which is very vague and they have to prove that’s what’s caused it so I would just go straight to the financial ombudsman with your complaint. There’s a clear issue with the vehicle and even a safety recall for water ingress.

It’s such a shame that Porsche won’t honour the warranty when this has clearly happened to multiple vehicles.