997.1 overheating on motorway
Discussion
Not trying to cause another scare story about these M96/97 engines... just my story from last weekend!
I had my 997.1 up for sale and could have sold prior to last weekend but decided to keep it for one more long drive over the lovely hot weekend. On the M25 around midday, speed restricted area of 50 mph just after J22 and the A1(m) and I saw 'smoke' coming out of the engine bay in my rear view! Engine temp needle moves to the right past 120 degrees and maxes out and yellow coolant light comes on! I was still reasonably calm at this point - I pulled up on the right lane and stopped (no slip roads there!). I opened up the engine bay to let it cool down and could see coolant sprayed everywhere. I thought this could either be really bad (engine rebuild!) or just a hose that needed replacing. Was feeling pretty down especially given that I was on a long drive to visit a friend on a hot sunny day and the fact that I was about to sell the car! Add to this mix just the amount of abuse I was getting from other drivers driving by - some laughing, some expletive comments, some honking. I was pretty chilled though as I know what these cars bring having owned 911's in the past but this was my first and only breakdown in a 911!
Had it towed to Porsche and having feared the worst was told that it needed a new water pump and new coolant. Quite common apparently and needs replacing every 5/6 years. Cost £645. Not too bad I guess in the grand scheme of things and I actually still sold the car for a PROFIT to a trader after a years ownership.
Thought I would just share my story. Would I buy another 997? Absolutely! Would I consider one without a warranty? Not sure any more - I was lucky but it could have been a whole different experience!
I had my 997.1 up for sale and could have sold prior to last weekend but decided to keep it for one more long drive over the lovely hot weekend. On the M25 around midday, speed restricted area of 50 mph just after J22 and the A1(m) and I saw 'smoke' coming out of the engine bay in my rear view! Engine temp needle moves to the right past 120 degrees and maxes out and yellow coolant light comes on! I was still reasonably calm at this point - I pulled up on the right lane and stopped (no slip roads there!). I opened up the engine bay to let it cool down and could see coolant sprayed everywhere. I thought this could either be really bad (engine rebuild!) or just a hose that needed replacing. Was feeling pretty down especially given that I was on a long drive to visit a friend on a hot sunny day and the fact that I was about to sell the car! Add to this mix just the amount of abuse I was getting from other drivers driving by - some laughing, some expletive comments, some honking. I was pretty chilled though as I know what these cars bring having owned 911's in the past but this was my first and only breakdown in a 911!
Had it towed to Porsche and having feared the worst was told that it needed a new water pump and new coolant. Quite common apparently and needs replacing every 5/6 years. Cost £645. Not too bad I guess in the grand scheme of things and I actually still sold the car for a PROFIT to a trader after a years ownership.
Thought I would just share my story. Would I buy another 997? Absolutely! Would I consider one without a warranty? Not sure any more - I was lucky but it could have been a whole different experience!
why would you pull up in the right hand lane on the M25 !
that's more the reason people were honking you at a guess.
Also amazing you sold to a dealer and still made a profit a year later with spending money in it, where do you buy from ? and are there any more available ;-)
that's more the reason people were honking you at a guess.
Also amazing you sold to a dealer and still made a profit a year later with spending money in it, where do you buy from ? and are there any more available ;-)
Edited by mrdemon on Tuesday 23 July 09:49
I bought a 997.1 Carrera S last year from RSJ
Car was faultless. I did 10,000 miles in 8 months including 3000 miles across Europe up an down mountains etc
Three days after coming back from the European trip, I was driving home from work when I noticed steam coming from the rear. I stopped and there was coolant spewing everywhere. Same issue as you, it needed a new water pump. I was very lucky it didn't happen in Europe somewhere.
Dropped it off at RSJ, they fixed under warranty and I then did another 2000 odd miles with no faults whatsoever.
Sold it to buy a 997 GT3
Car was faultless. I did 10,000 miles in 8 months including 3000 miles across Europe up an down mountains etc
Three days after coming back from the European trip, I was driving home from work when I noticed steam coming from the rear. I stopped and there was coolant spewing everywhere. Same issue as you, it needed a new water pump. I was very lucky it didn't happen in Europe somewhere.
Dropped it off at RSJ, they fixed under warranty and I then did another 2000 odd miles with no faults whatsoever.
Sold it to buy a 997 GT3
type-r said:
As mentioned above, there are no slip roads on that section of the M25 at the moment. All cars are traveling at 50mph so does it really matter if it is the left lane or the right?
yes imo it does. Always pull left if you can do which you clearly could, with your front wheels facing left.then if you get hit, which is common your car is not pushed back into the moving flow.
It's basics really
I also think you mean Hard shoulder !
mollytherocker said:
Given these engines sensitivity to hot spots, if it was ran up to 120 degrees to the point of steaming, can we assume the bores must have been scored?
I can't answer this however I will say that as soon as it ran hot, I pulled over and switched the engine off. If this is the case with water pump failure quite a common problem, then there is a lot to fear! Especially as there was no prior warning of failure (i.e. no noise, whining, etc) - perhaps the only indication was a slight loss of coolant over the course of a few months!?
Edited by type-r on Tuesday 23 July 11:22
Mine went a couple of weekends ago on a trip to the Evo Triangle in North wales - Bearing failure - had the car towed to Porsche in Chester and they fixed it - was about a grand using Porsche parts and labour. Gave me a Boxster for the weekend and picked the car up the following Tuesday.
Incidently the next day the Idler pulley went after picking the car up - whilst the cars apart I would change this part as the back of the car is off as apparently the new belt can add additional strain on the Idler Pulley - mines going back in again on Thursday to JZM to be fixed. Apparently this is a common issue.
Hughesie
Incidently the next day the Idler pulley went after picking the car up - whilst the cars apart I would change this part as the back of the car is off as apparently the new belt can add additional strain on the Idler Pulley - mines going back in again on Thursday to JZM to be fixed. Apparently this is a common issue.
Hughesie
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