Porsche Scrambling To Fix "Fastener Problem" Causing Fires

March 19

00:00 2014

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3/19/2014 2:01:00 AM
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Porsche Scrambling To Fix “Fastener Problem” Causing Fires

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For want of a better fastener, Porsche’s kingdom may not be lost, but it’s certainly damaged.

After engine damage caused fires in two European editions of the 2014 911 GT3, the German sports car manufacturer is frantically trying to minimize damage to its reputation as a premier racing brand.

When Porsche unveiled the 2014 911 GTE, the company had high hopes. The 2014 911 GTE includes several innovations touted to advance the high-end automotive experience.

The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is a track-oriented model that features a 475-hp, 3.8-liter flat-six engine and seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. Other track-ready features include 20-inch center-locking wheels, an adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing, and a three-part front splitter.

But the fires prompted the highly uncharacteristic recall of the $190,000 GT3 model. Porsche reportedly told owners of all 785 vehicles worldwide to stop driving their cars and promised to replace the engine in each unit with minimal inconvenience to the owners.

Porsche called the highly unusual move a “corrective action derived from intensive internal analyses,” Cars.com reports. No recall has been issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Engine damage resulted from a loosened screw joint on the connecting rod,” Porsche said in a statement. “The loose connecting rod damaged the crankcase, which in both cases led to leakage of oil which then ignited.”

The automaker first learned of the issue “when a GT3 in Switzerland caught fire, followed by another one in Italy,” Motor Trend reports. “One driver claimed to hear strange sounds from the engine bay, followed by smoke and a fire.”

“In order to avoid this in the future, an optimized screw connection is currently being tested,” the company wrote in a customer letter. “For the final validation of this solution, Porsche AG is currently carrying out extensive tests.”

“At Porsche we are rigorous when implementing an engineering solution, therefore, after the successful testing and validation we will be installing new engines with optimized piston rod screw connections in all 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 vehicles,” the letter continues.

There are 758 of the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3s, including about 400 units in the U.S.

For every Porsche it sold last year, parent company Volkswagen booked about $23,200 in operating profit, for a margin of 18%, according to an annual report. Bentley wasn’t far behind Porsche, and the Audi brand, which includes the Lamborghini badge, posted $5,200 in profit per vehicle at a 10% margin. That compares with an $850 return, at a 2.9% margin, for one of VW’s mass-market machines, such as the Jetta or Passat.

Porsche says replacement engines will have “optimized” fasteners. But it could take months to replace all 785 engines at an enormous cost to the German automaker.

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