Used Macan S vs Turbo

[johnb]

I picked up that S this morning and took it to a shop for a PPI. It drove perfectly on the way there and I reaffirmed my opinion that this is mechanically the best one I've found so far. But while I was waiting for a ride home, I decided to have another quick look underneath. And it was absolutely hosing oil onto the ground. One of the worst leaks I've ever seen.

This is from just 10 minutes after parking:

20220518_100328.jpg (3.33 MiB) Viewed 1078 times

Needless to say I cancelled the inspection and took it straight back. They said they'd call me when it's fixed, but I have my doubts now. If it's the timing cover, the engine has to come out and I can't see them doing that. It's really annoying because they assured me they had looked and not found any leaks, and they had it at the Porsche dealership a few weeks ago for a new transfer case. There's no way the Porsche dealer wouldn't have told them about something as bad as this.

I suppose it's possible that it just started...all leaks have to start some time. Either way I don't need that so I'm back to searching, unless they can convince me that they are really fixing it.

[kapetajr]

I picked up that S this morning and took it to a shop for a PPI. It drove perfectly on the way there and I reaffirmed my opinion that this is mechanically the best one I've found so far. But while I was waiting for a ride home, I decided to have another quick look underneath. And it was absolutely hosing oil onto the ground. One of the worst leaks I've ever seen.

This is from just 10 minutes after parking:

20220518_100328.jpg

Needless to say I cancelled the inspection and took it straight back. They said they'd call me when it's fixed, but I have my doubts now. If it's the timing cover, the engine has to come out and I can't see them doing that. It's really annoying because they assured me they had looked and not found any leaks, and they had it at the Porsche dealership a few weeks ago for a new transfer case. There's no way the Porsche dealer wouldn't have told them about something as bad as this.

I suppose it's possible that it just started...all leaks have to start some time. Either way I don't need that so I'm back to searching, unless they can convince me that they are really fixing it.

Glad you are happy with your decision.

Thats a bad leak, but good thing it happened before you signed the papers. Porsche has recently started approving a "2 bolt" repair for the timing covers which doesnt require the engine to come out.

Let me find the link for you

[johnb]

I picked up that S this morning and took it to a shop for a PPI. It drove perfectly on the way there and I reaffirmed my opinion that this is mechanically the best one I've found so far. But while I was waiting for a ride home, I decided to have another quick look underneath. And it was absolutely hosing oil onto the ground. One of the worst leaks I've ever seen.

This is from just 10 minutes after parking:

20220518_100328.jpg

Needless to say I cancelled the inspection and took it straight back. They said they'd call me when it's fixed, but I have my doubts now. If it's the timing cover, the engine has to come out and I can't see them doing that. It's really annoying because they assured me they had looked and not found any leaks, and they had it at the Porsche dealership a few weeks ago for a new transfer case. There's no way the Porsche dealer wouldn't have told them about something as bad as this.

I suppose it's possible that it just started...all leaks have to start some time. Either way I don't need that so I'm back to searching, unless they can convince me that they are really fixing it.

Glad you are happy with your decision.

Thats a bad leak, but good thing it happened before you signed the papers. Porsche has recently started approving a "2 bolt" repair for the timing covers which doesnt require the engine to come out.

Let me find the link for you

Thanks I would like to see that link if you get around to it. If I don't hear from the seller of the S tomorrow I'm thinking of moving forward with the Turbo if it's still there.

[johnb]

So now they're saying that it was just the drain plug. Weird that it took them 2 days to tell me that...on the other hand it kind of does make sense. It was a really bad leak that seemed to happen pretty suddenly.

But I was starting to get used to the idea of buying the Turbo instead....first world problems right?!

[kapetajr]

I picked up that S this morning and took it to a shop for a PPI. It drove perfectly on the way there and I reaffirmed my opinion that this is mechanically the best one I've found so far. But while I was waiting for a ride home, I decided to have another quick look underneath. And it was absolutely hosing oil onto the ground. One of the worst leaks I've ever seen.

This is from just 10 minutes after parking:

20220518_100328.jpg

Needless to say I cancelled the inspection and took it straight back. They said they'd call me when it's fixed, but I have my doubts now. If it's the timing cover, the engine has to come out and I can't see them doing that. It's really annoying because they assured me they had looked and not found any leaks, and they had it at the Porsche dealership a few weeks ago for a new transfer case. There's no way the Porsche dealer wouldn't have told them about something as bad as this.

I suppose it's possible that it just started...all leaks have to start some time. Either way I don't need that so I'm back to searching, unless they can convince me that they are really fixing it.

Glad you are happy with your decision.

Thats a bad leak, but good thing it happened before you signed the papers. Porsche has recently started approving a "2 bolt" repair for the timing covers which doesnt require the engine to come out.

Let me find the link for you

Thanks I would like to see that link if you get around to it. If I don't hear from the seller of the S tomorrow I'm thinking of moving forward with the Turbo if it's still there.

This was posted on another forum. If this is not allowed MODS please delete.

Start on pge 3. https://www.macanforum.com/threads/rumo ... 916/page-2

[kapetajr]

So now they're saying that it was just the drain plug. Weird that it took them 2 days to tell me that...on the other hand it kind of does make sense. It was a really bad leak that seemed to happen pretty suddenly.

But I was starting to get used to the idea of buying the Turbo instead....first world problems right?!

Drain plug definitely makes sense. Was the drain plug loose or did someone strip the threads? Basically do they have to replace the oil pan?

And first world problems for real
LOL.

The 3.6 Turbo is very addictive. I love how the power comes on. As I said in the beginning I drove a Turbo and there was no turning back.

Good luck. Look forward to seeing pictures of your new Turbo.

[johnb]

The fiasco continues! I took the S back to the shop after the dealer said they dealt with the leaking drain plug. I dropped it off in the morning and left it with them all day. But by the end of the day I still hadn't heard from them, so I called them. Oh yeah, we didn't get to it today, sorry. So I had to take it back to the dealer.

I gave up on that shop and called around to the other German car specialists I know of. They're all booked out for weeks. So I gave up on that idea and decided to just get someone - anyone with a lift and a screwdriver - to pull the covers, have a look around for leaks, and just generally be a second pair of eyes. I called a nearby locally owned shop and said I wanted a PPI done on a car. "No problem, drop it off whenever you can and we'll get to it the same day!"

So this morning I went out to the dealer, got the car, drove to the shop. As I walked up I could see the guy staring at me like WTF? I told him I was looking to get it inspected. "Not that car. We don't work on those". So it turns out, they are afraid to put it on the lift or remove any covers. I explained my situation and tried to get them to make an exception. I said I don't expect them to make a recommendation, just tell me if it's leaking anything. No way. Not happening. The guy even said "Yeah I remember you calling but I don't remember saying anything about it being a Porsche". Well no, I said it was a car, and it is. He didn't say there are makes and models he's afraid to touch!

So now I'm at home and the car is sitting outside my apartment until I have time to bring it back. I guess I'm doing my own PPI. At this point I've driven the car a lot and I'm happy with it over all. I just want to make sure there's nothing hiding under those splash covers.

What do you guys think? Trust my own judgement or keep trying to find a shop?

[Tom]

The fiasco continues! I took the S back to the shop after the dealer said they dealt with the leaking drain plug. I dropped it off in the morning and left it with them all day. But by the end of the day I still hadn't heard from them, so I called them. Oh yeah, we didn't get to it today, sorry. So I had to take it back to the dealer.

I gave up on that shop and called around to the other German car specialists I know of. They're all booked out for weeks. So I gave up on that idea and decided to just get someone - anyone with a lift and a screwdriver - to pull the covers, have a look around for leaks, and just generally be a second pair of eyes. I called a nearby locally owned shop and said I wanted a PPI done on a car. "No problem, drop it off whenever you can and we'll get to it the same day!"

So this morning I went out to the dealer, got the car, drove to the shop. As I walked up I could see the guy staring at me like WTF? I told him I was looking to get it inspected. "Not that car. We don't work on those". So it turns out, they are afraid to put it on the lift or remove any covers. I explained my situation and tried to get them to make an exception. I said I don't expect them to make a recommendation, just tell me if it's leaking anything. No way. Not happening. The guy even said "Yeah I remember you calling but I don't remember saying anything about it being a Porsche". Well no, I said it was a car, and it is. He didn't say there are makes and models he's afraid to touch!

So now I'm at home and the car is sitting outside my apartment until I have time to bring it back. I guess I'm doing my own PPI. At this point I've driven the car a lot and I'm happy with it over all. I just want to make sure there's nothing hiding under those splash covers.

What do you guys think? Trust my own judgement or keep trying to find a shop?

I'm a cynic, so consider the source, but I'd hold out for a proper PPI. No real way to handicap if they knew about that leak and/or if they were trying pass it off on you. And, in the very best case, they can't replace a drain plug without it leaking that badly? Even if that's the truth, it doesn't really instill confidence.

[johnb]

The fiasco continues! I took the S back to the shop after the dealer said they dealt with the leaking drain plug. I dropped it off in the morning and left it with them all day. But by the end of the day I still hadn't heard from them, so I called them. Oh yeah, we didn't get to it today, sorry. So I had to take it back to the dealer.

I gave up on that shop and called around to the other German car specialists I know of. They're all booked out for weeks. So I gave up on that idea and decided to just get someone - anyone with a lift and a screwdriver - to pull the covers, have a look around for leaks, and just generally be a second pair of eyes. I called a nearby locally owned shop and said I wanted a PPI done on a car. "No problem, drop it off whenever you can and we'll get to it the same day!"

So this morning I went out to the dealer, got the car, drove to the shop. As I walked up I could see the guy staring at me like WTF? I told him I was looking to get it inspected. "Not that car. We don't work on those". So it turns out, they are afraid to put it on the lift or remove any covers. I explained my situation and tried to get them to make an exception. I said I don't expect them to make a recommendation, just tell me if it's leaking anything. No way. Not happening. The guy even said "Yeah I remember you calling but I don't remember saying anything about it being a Porsche". Well no, I said it was a car, and it is. He didn't say there are makes and models he's afraid to touch!

So now I'm at home and the car is sitting outside my apartment until I have time to bring it back. I guess I'm doing my own PPI. At this point I've driven the car a lot and I'm happy with it over all. I just want to make sure there's nothing hiding under those splash covers.

What do you guys think? Trust my own judgement or keep trying to find a shop?

I'm a cynic, so consider the source, but I'd hold out for a proper PPI. No real way to handicap if they knew about that leak and/or if they were trying pass it off on you. And, in the very best case, they can't replace a drain plug without it leaking that badly? Even if that's the truth, it doesn't really instill confidence.

Noted. I'm not too worried about the oil drain thing. I've now driven this car 5 times and that was the only time there was a leak, and it was way too bad for me to have missed it the other times. So I think the story is true. They told me what happened was that the oil drain plug was reused when it should have been replaced. My guess is the washer must have been reused too, and that is the real problem. But I don't actually know if they are the ones who changed the oil before. Either way, it's a rookie mistake, but let's face it: if you take your car to a dealership for an oil change, it's going to be done by a rookie and you're going to see rookie mistakes occasionally!

I fearlessly jacked the car up on one side and removed most of the splash guard screws - enough to get a good look:

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20220527_110050.jpg (274.06 KiB) Viewed 993 times

I don't see any sign of fresh leaks, or any sign of extensive clean up to hide leaks. There's some surface corrosion on fasteners and pulleys here and there, not too surprising. Overall I think it looks pretty good. I appreciate the advice, and I might take it, but right now I'm kind of leaning towards just going for it.

[Tom]

Yeah, honestly, if Christopher Columbus took my advice, he'd still be lining up voyage insurance and sealing the hull one last time.