It’s hard to get something better than a Porsche, mostly because something like that doesn’t exist. That being said, nothing lasts forever. Parts start to go bad, metal rusts, and tires wear down. However, you can extend the life of your Porsche with proper maintenance. ‘Proper’ is the important word here, so make sure to carefully select where you take it to be worked on. The first choice should be a Porsche body shop, but if that isn’t an option, something is always better than nothing. Without the right maintenance, the following problems may begin to surface:
Cooling Issues
Especially with the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne, the coolant distribution pipe will need to be resealed. While you may not see the immediate effects of it leaking, due to the seal being located in the engine’s “valley”, it can become a major issue. The coolant will puddle between the cylinders of the engine and could eventually lead to overheating. To best prevent this from occurring, have a mechanic inspect the cooling system every time you have routine maintenance done. Additionally, if you begin smelling something musty from the engine, have the cooling system inspected as soon as you can.
Porsche expansion tanks, specifically with the Boxster 986. Something about being almost 2 decades old really starts to wear on the cooling systems, mostly due to excessive heat and pressure from the engine.
Engine
No one wants to see excessive smoke coming from the engine of a 911 or Boxster. While it can be frightening, it does not immediately mean that the engine is dead. It could be a result of your oil being overfilled because of an inexperienced technician, or unfamiliarity with Porsche vehicles.
Compared to other performance vehicles, Porsche cars have a higher oil capacity. Additionally, they require completely level ground and to be at the correct temperature when filled.
If it isn’t from an excess of oil, then the smoke could also be caused by the Oil Separator. While it is common for this part to fail, it is important to the system, as it separates the oil and air within the vehicle. A puff of smoke from your exhaust on a Porsche 996 or 986 should be enough of a hint for you to have the vehicle inspected.
Timing chains are effective for high-performance engines and are a favorite of Porsche. However, they have a tendency to stretch and chain guides can wear down. This problem has a history of occurring with the Porsche 911, back from the first model to the recent Cayenne. If you don’t tend to the issue as soon as you can, the valve train may encounter internal interference and cause complete failure.
Steering & Suspension
Your ABS Electronic Module may fail and cause your ABS warning lights to trigger. This is a relatively common issue within Porsche vehicles, however, they can be easily replaced or even rebuilt.
This can be caused by the constant velocity (CV) joints because of the higher stress that Porsche engines place on them, compared to other vehicles. Check your grease boots for tears and cracks to identify any needed maintenance.
Transmissions
Worn synchros can cause a grinding sound or make shifting gears on a manual transmission difficult. This can be prevented by having your transmission inspected and serviced regularly.
When a Porsche Automatic transmissions are serviced, it should be performed using the proper equipment and transmission fluid associated with Porsche. A common belief is that Porsche transmissions are unserviceable or filled for their entire life, but this is incorrect.
Call Us
If any of these issues sound familiar or you know of, make sure to call our service center at (941) 923-1700 or make an appointment with us here! We’re here to help from Monday - Saturday.
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