Cayenne cooling pipe problems ?

[TISPKJ]

Hi Guys, has anyone had problems with the cooling pipes on the Cayenne.

I have been told that they all go at some point, apparently the cooling pipes that run throught the middle of the engine V are plastic and over time become brittle and crack, leak, and can be serious.

Car was one of the first so 03/04 was it ? with circa 40k miles, its currently being used for going backwards and forwards to Geneva via motorway and mountain so really dont want to break down.

Has anyone had this issue please ?

Thanks

[Richard Hamilton]

It's a really common problem. I know 3 people personally who have had them let go, and there are dozens of theads about it on US forums.

[996ttalot]

Richard Hamilton said:

It's a really common problem. I know 3 people personally who have had them let go, and there are dozens of theads about it on US forums.

It is a fairly common issue and iirc a large number of customers had the pipes replaced FOC by Porsche when the cars first came out.

Basically the pipes can be replaced with non melting chocolate ones that exist in the earlier versions.

[bimjim]

Generally a case of 'when' rather than 'if'.

Mine were replaced by the previous owner, but I'm not sure if that was preventative or if they'd already given up.

[TISPKJ]

Being quoted £1200 odd at OPC .......... is it really that big a job ?

[thegoose]

TISPKJ said:

Being quoted £1200 odd at OPC .......... is it really that big a job ?

I've heard of it being "about a grand" at a specialist - it's quite labour intensive to get in there, so based on that I'd assume the £1200 is plus VAT?

There used to be a decent specialist in Geneva called RS Tuning, might be worth asking them to quote?

[Rockster]

TISPKJ said:

Being quoted £1200 odd at OPC .......... is it really that big a job ?

Yes. I've seen a few Cayennes in for this job and have spoken to the techs about the job. The intake manifold has to come off along with some other things and the techs tell me it is a relatively big job.

The coolant pipes can leak coolant out onto the starter which can ruin the starter too and this adds to the job's bigness.

Sincerely,

Rockster.

[sportsandclassic]

Hi, yes fairly common job. We have done around 20 of them now. Around £900 for non turbo model. Fit and forget them.

[hope2421]

Have them done,i did,peace of mind if nothing else:-)

[TISPKJ]

thegoose said:

There used to be a decent specialist in Geneva called RS Tuning, might be worth asking them to quote?

Yes your right, used to be at the back of the then Hilton hotel, now the kimpinski, I used to have a walk up there every year when staying at the hotel for the car show, little back street place but sadly they moved about 4 or 5 years ago, there was a sign on the door giving the new address but as usual didnt make a note of it at the time, think they moved out towards the airport direction.

Fairly sure RS Tuning is a brand not the name of the garage.

Have googled but cant find the garage in question sadly as that would be the answer Im sure, you wouldnt by chance have details would you ?

[jonny996]

is it easy for a non mechanical goat to see if these have been done?

[jackal]

jonny996 said:

is it easy for a non mechanical goat to see if these have been done?

Yes you need an inspection mirror and there are acouple of places whe you shove it. I will dig out a pic when i am back on the pc.

If you like the car and plan on owning it for a bit then definitely get them done imo. The damage that can occur if they start leaking can run into a lot more money.

Pretty easy DIY as well if youre up to it.

[jonny996]

sorry should have asked, does this issue affect 3.2, 4.5 & turbos

[TISPKJ]

Would assume only the V8

[thegoose]

TISPKJ said:

Yes your right, used to be at the back of the then Hilton hotel, now the kimpinski, I used to have a walk up there every year when staying at the hotel for the car show, little back street place but sadly they moved about 4 or 5 years ago, there was a sign on the door giving the new address but as usual didnt make a note of it at the time, think they moved out towards the airport direction.

Fairly sure RS Tuning is a brand not the name of the garage.

Have googled but cant find the garage in question sadly as that would be the answer Im sure, you wouldnt by chance have details would you ?

I wasn't sure if they closed fully or not at that location. Patrice got involved with a bigger operation which was called "One Track" I think. They had a fancy new building where they would store cars for people too - the back wall of the workshop had cars stacked 4 or 5 high and probably 10 wide in a racking system, kind of like pigeon-holes for mail on a massive scale (some kind of lift accessed them when the owners wanted them). I only ever saw photos but it looked like a fantastic giant toy box.

Sadly though I heard that the business folded, not sure where Patrice is working now, my friend who lived near Gland moved back to the UK last year. If you ever saw them his cars were a gold-ish silver 964 C4 coupe and a guards red 3.2 convertible with roll-hoop and Ruf mirrors.

[TISPKJ]

Hi Guys, £1100 including vat with club discount at local OPC.

I note type911 do the pipe kit a little better price wise at £400inc vat.

Just deciding if to get job done in swissy where the car is currently or drive back to the UK and have done here or do job myself, if it was a little warmer I would probably go that route.