lonj

I took my 2015 GT3 (with 16K Miles) into my local EuroCar Mechanic and asked that he change my Serpentine Belt and Spark Plug (which I supplied from Porsche). A couple hours after dropping off the car he called me. He asked if I was sure I still wanted the work done. He told me that the belt on the car looked brand new after his inspection and that there should be no need to change the spark plugs after 16K miles. He said that they have a miles dependent degradation factor and time has nothing to do with it.
This burns me up. Porsche is all about maximizing the dollars they take in to the point of being ridiculous.

bogey1

This must be your first Porsche . I obviously love the brand and the cars, but I don't think you will find too many on here that have not had a similar reaction at some point! I had my 24 month (or maybe the 36 - I can't recall) service bill over $2k and the car had less than 4,000 miles on it.... (when I bought it). Plugs, fluids, filters etc...

Larry Cable

I just had my 4yr service for my '18 991.2 GT3, w/36xx mi on it.

originally quoted $32xx for the service, but since I just installed some BMC air filters in Oct (so didnt need new OEM), along with a PCA 10% discount it was "only" $25xx ...

they changed both the belt and the spark plugs despite the engine having only 36xx miles on it - apparently the belt can deteriorate over time ... and Porsche require replacement every 4yrs/12k mi I believe!

GrantG

I think the spark plug change time interval may be to prevent potential problems with corrosion between the aluminum heads and steel plug threads (you're not allowed to apply anything on the threads to prevent this) as well as cooking the coil boots onto the plugs. Annual changes keep those touch points free from issues.

This is an easy DIY...

And I wouldn't trust an 8-year old serpentine belt (maybe this has been changed before?)

Larry Cable

this and this... prevention is cheaper than repair!

Holdens

They are the most profitable brand for a reason….


I agree the service schedules are ridiculous

GrantG

Maintenance on the engine is relatively cheap (especially if DIY), compared to buying a crate engine for a GT3. Costs more than most nice brand new cars.

991carreradriver

A few comments:
Spark plugs - The sole purpose of the two year replacement cycle is to inhibit corrosion and the bonding of the plug to the block. I replace my plugs ever two years. Depending on interval usage, sometimes they are difficult to remove.

Coils - I replaced every three years, not because they fail but because they melt into the block. I have spent hours cleaning up pieces of the coil boot that would not pop out.

Serpentine belt - Not a part that you want to fail. In addition, it permits a real close working inspection of the belt tensioner once the belt is removed.

JCviggen

Similar cost for my 12K mile .2 for the 4 year one in Germany. 2850 EUR at Porsche center Aachen. Joy.

Quadcammer

Considering you dont know that spark plugs thread into the head, not the block, im not sure how useful this advice is.

Nearl every other car has a 100k interval on plugs, i refuse to believe that plugs are seizing in the heads in 4 years of minimal usage.

DDE997

I spent 40 years of my life modifying cylinder heads of all types. I call it BS also, plugs need to changed every 4 years or what ever.

GrantG

Trackcar posted some photos of his spark plugs from 991.2 GT3 that were destroyed with around 12k miles (around 1 year of frequent track use) and another user had rough running issues that were solved when changing plugs prior to the scheduled service (only 1 track day).

BCgeorgia

@lonj - recent example of seized/broken spark plug in the 991 forum. Anecdotal, I realize.

https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1334...ark-plugs.html

991carreradriver

Pardon me, it was early when responded. I am sure most folks understood what I was trying to convey.

Larry Cable

while expensive preventative maintenance is cheaper, as @GrantG points out, than a new engine - its just rather surprising how "frequent" or "short" the component replacement cycles are, but then the GT3 engine is not your average engine.

what's going to hurt is the hub&CL replacement - is it every 15k I dont recall?