Warranty question on MY2006 flywheel

[p0rsch3]

Question for Loren or anyone else with intimate knowledge of Porsche's warranty process.

I have a 2006 C2 with 19k miles on it. I have been reporting a squeak/honking sound from the rear of car since the car had 16k miles on it. It is sort of a low pitched honk sound, rather than a high pitched squeak and only occurrs when fully engaging clutch in 1st when taking off from a stop. And, it only makes the sound after the car is hot from driving around for a bit. Anyway, all other times I brought it in it to dealer was not doing it regularly enough to make a diagnosis. Now it is. I was instructed by my dealer that the flywheel bearing might be bad and they need to replace the flywheel. They also told me that my clutch is not worn / still feels like new. Now the kicker is, I was told the flywheel is not covered under warranty and I would have to pay $3800 for a new clutch and flywheel.

My fight here is, (a) they told me the clutch is not worn and ( B) this seems like a defective item issue. For example, if I have a defective brake rotor it is covered under warranty even though it is part of the "wear item" brake assembly. This (to me) would appear to be the case with the flywheel.

I did not want to say yes to the expensive out of pocket repair without first investigating, as this does not seem like an issue caused by "normal wear". The dealer told me to pick up my car and then call PNA to open a case (which I have done). Any insight on how to proceed is appreciated.

Edited April 6, 2009 by p0rsch3

[Loren]

Hopefully you have receipts for the earlier repairs/attempted repairs.

You will want to get copies of those to PCNA. Be civil with them and fully explain the history. Ask them to help - that is what they are there for.

[p0rsch3]

Hopefully you have receipts for the earlier repairs/attempted repairs.

You will want to get copies of those to PCNA. Be civil with them and fully explain the history. Ask them to help - that is what they are there for.

Hi Loren- I don't have any record of previous repairs on this issue, basically I had brought it in a few times before to have them take a look at the noise- But it was not doing it at the time so they never did any paperwork. Only last week when I brought it in were they able to reproduce the noise, keep the car for a few days and give me a diagnosis.

So I *just* got more info after speaking to PNA a few minutes ago. An area porsche tech came out to look at my car while it was at the dealership. He stated that he had seen this issue before and the pilot bearing in the flywheel is bad. His recommendation to the dealership was to replace the entire flywheel / clutch assembly. PNA told me that all bearings on the car are considered a "wear item" and are not covered, and also that a pilot pearing is part of the clutch and not covered. -Even if my clutch shows no signs of undue wear and the bearing itself is defective, I have to pay for it. Does this sound right??

Oh and definitely I have been very civil, followed all sugested protocols and fully explained the history. Still no love, PNA is basically saying I am s.o.l..

Edited April 6, 2009 by p0rsch3

[phillipj]

Doesn't sound right to me. I would continue to push the issue. I'm sure there are others here that have had to deal with similar situations with Porsche that may be able to guide you.

There is no way you should need a new clutch and flywheel after only 16,000 miles. (unless you track the car.)

[p0rsch3]

Doesn't sound right to me. I would continue to push the issue. I'm sure there are others here that have had to deal with similar situations with Porsche that may be able to guide you.

There is no way you should need a new clutch and flywheel after only 16,000 miles. (unless you track the car.)

Phillip- I agree and this is why I am a bit burned up by the issue. I know some folks don't know how to drive clutch and it is possible to burn it in short order, but this car has been babied and driven right since day 1. Since it's a cab it will never see track time. I suppose I am looking for some cases of precedence, I can't be the only one who has come across this particular issue. I was also specifically told that the clutch itself is perfectly fine, and the issue relates strictly to the flywheel.

Edited April 6, 2009 by p0rsch3

[phillipj]

I know of one other member here who had a similar issue with Porsche. If I recall he put together all reciepts for regular maintenance and work done to show how well he took care of the car.

He pushed the issue with proof he was on top of all maintenance and as you said "babied" the car, never tracked the car etc... It seems to me with some persistence you could (at worst) get them to cover some of the repair.

You could even have them read for over revs on the computer to show that you didn't beat up the engine hence didn't beat up the clutch...

Maybe this would be a route to take with them. As Loren said remain civil but be a pain in their butt at the same time.

It seems Porsche uses "wear item" pretty loosely. Isn't every part on a car a "wear item"? :huh:

Hopefully some other members will chime in with some other advice as well.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[p0rsch3]

Ok here is another question- When you have the clutch replaced by the dealer (assuming normal wear), do they commonly replace the flywheel at the same time? Or is it just the clutch, pressure plate, release bearing?

Edited April 7, 2009 by p0rsch3

[phillipj]

I would not think a flywheel would be replaced with such low mileage as yours. Unless it was damaged of course. I'm sure others here that have done their own clutch jobs can provide more information on that.

My old 996 had the original clutch and flywheel at 72k miles.

Also remember that dealers will tell you that everthing needs to be replaced..... :angry:

[p0rsch3]

I would not think a flywheel would be replaced with such low mileage as yours. Unless it was damaged of course. I'm sure others here that have done their own clutch jobs can provide more information on that.

My old 996 had the original clutch and flywheel at 72k miles.

Also remember that dealers will tell you that everthing needs to be replaced..... :angry:

Thanks and I agree 100%. Hopefully some of the other members here will chime in-