Yes theres a couple in the front that can be done but there are 2 others that need the engine out. The most common one that has failed is the one by the alternator.

 

Good question not sure on that i think someone might chime in on this one.......

 

I'm going to be the one doing the suggesting - for a full on weld. And I plan on submitting the bill to PCNA. This is a very serious issue and they're lucky they're not facing a lawsuit for wrongful death or dismemberment instead. Why they haven't gotten in front of this issue with a recall is just beyond me. As I said, if I weren't a member here, I'd have NO IDEA what was going on. And there are a LOT of owners out there who aren't members here. Connect the dots, right?

I'm a do it once, do it right person. If I'm dropping the motor, then we might as well "do this."

Check PMs, neighbor. Hope to meet up sometime.

Yes you did. I saw that thread last night. I searched for "coolant hose failure" and it was in one of those threads. Believe the fix is mandatory for all PCA events at this point. Tells ya somethin'.

I'm all over it and will share every step of the way with the membership here.

Have any other members been contacted yet by the NHTSA Investigator?

Yeah, I think this is a season-ending event for my 6TC. Doing the clutch, the turbos, tune, and a few other goodies - along with the welds - is gonna take a while. Not happy about that. BUT...

...I have another Porsche joining my stable in the next few weeks so I'll live.

Cheers, gang. Stay tuned.
-V

 

excellent reportage of a nasty event/issue. i applaud your efforts, and like your style. i think you might actually prevail but am not sure anyone has ever gotten pcna to pony up unless it was mandated somehow, outside of warranty. but go get 'em and pls keep us updated. cheers.

 

I received an email today from an investigator with the NHTSA regarding my report. He requested the photographs and asked whether the cause of the leak was confirmed.

I supplied the photos, as well as confirmation that the leak was due to the failure of the adhesive used by the manufacturer to join the coolant hoses. This was confirmed by an independent Porsche mechanic as well as an authorized Porsche technician with whom the mechanic consults.

The investigator and I are having a followup conversation later today.
-V

 

Here is the email thread I shared with the NHTSA investigator today. It reads top-down newest to oldest like your typical email.
Names and contact information have been changed to protect privacy.

I am impressed with the investigator. He was articulate and well-versed with the issue. This gives me hope that the problem will be addressed because let's face it, this problem could easily cause someone to be killed or badly injured. There's no need for that to happen if owners are made aware and the problem is fixed model-wide.

Stay tuned,
-V

Vendetta,

Thank you very much for the information and the help with our investigation. Your report is being associated with PE13009.

John Doe


###

From: Vendetta
Subject: Re: Porsche 911 report filed with NHTSA, #10532180
Mr. Doe,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me earlier. Is your investigation into my report being associated with NHTSA Action Number: PE13009? I believe they are the same problem.

Also, as we spoke about, the fact that there is no remaining coolant for the thermostat to read and report on once it's all been flushed is another challenge to the vehicle operator. The temperature needle will just sit there indicating the last-known temp, well within the safe range.

Aside from the rear view mirror, and perhaps the odor of the burning coolant (if the vehicle is brought to a halt), there is no way for the operator to know that the engine is going critical. A "low coolant" warning is neither uncommon, nor indicative of the urgency to turn off the motor at once. Especially when coupled with a temperature gauge falsely reporting a safe engine temperature. It's a very dangerous scenario.

Please advise how can I be kept up to date on the progress in your investigation, as it now affects me personally.

If you need any further information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,
-Vendetta

###

On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 2:55 PM, Vendetta wrote:
Mr. Doe,

Thank for you contacting me regarding my report. It is reassuring to me that investigators such as yourself recognize both the dangers associated with this growing failure as well as the importance in addressing it - hopefully before a tragedy.

I am attaching the photographs taken at the scene. They are in the numerical order in which they were taken. The first photograph shows the trail of coolant leading up to the point in the roadway where I brought the car to a halt, prior to backing onto the side street where I awaited help. You will see from the coolant trail that I was driving in the left lane, and then shifted to the right lane where I brought the car to a halt. I shifted lanes when I noticed the vapor trail in the rear view. When I brought the car to a halt, I smelled the burning coolant. And that's when I reversed on to the side street and shut down.

The subsequent pictures document the trail of leaked coolant in additional detail, including just how voluminous and expedient of a coolant purge this was. I can provide higher resolution images if needed.

The cause of the leak has been confirmed as a failure of the adhesive used by the manufacturer, causing a separation of hose from where it was joined. This was diagnosed by an independent Porsche mechanic with over 20 years experience, and confirmed by an authorized Porsche mechanic employed by local authorized Porsche dealer who reported seeing several prior cases of this. His experienced suggestion is welding all coolant lines to prevent repeated failure.

I may have additional information that would prove helpful to you and your investigation, however I'm not an expert on what is helpful versus what is not. I will call you at 3pm ET and welcome any questions you may have for me at that time ,or any time in the future.

Kind regards,
-Vendetta

###

On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 10:34 AM, John Doe wrote:
Vendetta:

My name is John Doe, I am an investigator with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the US Department of Transportation. I received the report you filed with us regarding your 2004 Porsche 911 coolant loss. Your report was very detailed, thank you for taking the time to file it with us. I would very much like to have copies of the photographs you mentioned in your report if you could please e-mail/fax/send them to me. Have you had the cause of the coolant leak diagnosed yet? Is there anything else you can tell me would be helpful in understanding the problem you experienced?

John Doe
Federal Investigator, U.S. DOT
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Defects Investigation
(Additional contact information removed)

 

freakin' awesome. i'd sure want you to be the lead plaintiff in a class action, given your attention to detail and ability to articulate and pinpoint the cause of this potentially catastrophic failure... and the guy fawkes mask would just give them fits! lol

 

Thanks man. If Porsche doesn't address the issue, compelled by the NHTSA or otherwise, I would absolutely pursue a class-action lawsuit. No question. As important as the financial implications are, the real threat to life and limb is far more serious. I'll say it again, if I weren't a member here or otherwise unfamiliar with the potential for this issue, I'd have kept driving home with what I thought was just a need to add a little coolant. That means exit ramps at speed on coolant-soaked tires (hello, ditch); possible engine fire; Lord knows what else I can't imagine.

It's really messed up!
-V

 

i'm sure this is the one and only time i can speak for anyone besides myself in here when i say, "we" support you.

 

My coolant fittings blew at speed (approx 120mph) on a race track (with curves). I didn't have a problem of coolant soaking the tires. I don't see how that could happen. Don't get me wrong, the situation sucks for sure.

 

I would "soak" the tires of anyone behind you..making you liable...

 

Probably because you were going 120, honestly. I was doing 45 a 2-lane (each direction) road approaching the traffic light (which was red) leading onto the ramp of the expressway I'd take home. My tires would have been sitting in the puddle of coolant for the duration, after which I would have "spiritedly" negotiated the switchback on-ramp. And possibly exited it in spirit.

Glad you're okay, too!
-V

 

Excellent reporting and updates V! Anxiously awaiting your next post!

 

Anybody on the north side of the border know if NHTSA could impact things here? Wonder how many coolant failures have happened up here and if Porsche would live up to it here.

I know my car seeps a little, never on the ground but when it's 90 deg outside and I have the AC on creeping in gridlock (when the car is hottest), I can smell the sweet smell of coolant. I know its gotta be lightly leaking somewhere.

 

I'm not positive, KJ, but I imagine that if the NHTSA investigation results in Porsche Cars North America issuing a recall then you'll be covered.

-V