2008 Cayenne V6 with vacuum issue, bad idea?
 

A buddy of mine is a salesman at a local dealer and they are about to wholesale a traded 2008 Cayenne V6 because it has 120k miles and is throwing a vacuum code. I know there are some likely culprits for the code and until I can look at the car Monday let's assume it's one of the<$1k issues (I'd perform the labor). Other than that it will need tires soon but is in good cosmetic shape.

Anyway, I can get the truck for $7500 as it sits. My intent would be to fix the issue and drive it into the ground as a daily appliance. Really bad idea or is this a good deal given the numbers and my intentions? Just looking for a reality check, I tend to get tunnel vision. Thanks all,

I have a 2008 Touareg V6 and my wife and I like it so much we bought another (2012). I would jump on one (or the Cayenne) with 120k miles at that price. I am a gluten for punishment though.

We find it to be a very capable daily driver.

Local non-Porsche dealer, then yes. Porsche dealer, -No.

Sounds like you have a line on fixing this, and they are just spooked.

Whole sale.... I wouldn't simply because of the v6

the 2008's have direct injection, and iirc, that bumps the HP to 300. Not bad for a 6.

I've been really liking my old 955S over the past 8 years.

read, if you like the color combo, etc, go for it.

Thanks all, we're on the same wavelength with the pros and cons. This is not a Porsche dealer and I am confident the techs there simply don't want (know how) to deal with it...so they sold the manager on wholesaling it. It's also not valuable enough for them to farm the diagnosis/work on.

I also agree on the V6, it's probably the biggest reason I'm not jumping all over it. I'm sure the 6 is fine and not a very rational reason to pass... but it's there.

I'll drive it tomorrow and we'll see. At that price it's not any kind of risk and would be a more comfortable/interesting commuter.

That seems like a pretty amazing price if it's something that's not too tough to fix, the car is in good shape, and it's got enough go for you.

I'd love to get the missus a Cayenne, or maybe a Macan, but we aren't looking yet.

Took the truck for a test drive and checked it out. I'm pretty sure it's the air/oil separator causing the code. The oil filler cap was extremely difficult to remove when running and there is an obvious excess of vacuum. There are various minor flaws but again...not looking for more than a commuter.

making an offer, we'll see.

Sweet, I'm jealous, but we aren't really in the position to buy something that needs any DIY. Our next will have fewer miles and cost more, hopefully, CPO too.

We just agreed on $7,200 and that includes them detailing it.

The code was P0507 which is idle higher than expected and that is in line with my off the cuff diagnosis of the AOS failure.

I'll pick it up Monday or Tuesday and see what else I find. Thanks again for the input everyone.

Needs a valve cover, the AOS/PCV is part of the cover. My guess is that is all it will take to fix it. Common...

Cheers

Ended up getting it for $6,600 and just tore in to it today. The AOS/PCV diaphragm was my assumption as well and it was definitely torn. I found a place that sells just the diaphragm so I replaced that this afternoon. I need a new intake gasket to finish putting it back together Monday but I can see why they charge 800+ to replace this little $20 bastard. Tons of room in the engine compartment but still a pain. Nice little engine though.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1496546374.jpg

The AOS diaphragm itself:

*I should add that I joined alldata for a year and the manuals were very good. Otherwise it's very difficult to find any step by step info.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1496546704.jpg

All back together and runs great, no codes. If I ever had to do this again I would have a custom flexible high pressure fuel line made to replace the 4-5" long twisty bastard that attaches to the lower fuel rail and comes off with the intake. If that wasn't such a pain to align while trying to guide the intake runners into place it wouldn't be a half bad job. I may seriously paint it up with a demon face if I get the chance.

All in all I have ~$60 into parts, another $100 or so into some triple square and long reach Torx tools and sadly (I'm out of practice) 12 hours or so of time into this. 3-4 of that was out hunting for tools I suppose but painful nonetheless.

The lotrotted brakes are up next if I can't scrub the nasty off them with a few hard stops. So far so good...we'll see.

Home Depot has slotted sockets that will work on triple square bolts. You can get a set of them at a great price. Way less than $100.

I know that does not help you now, but just a bit of data for others who need to do this.

I think those are the ones I bought, they're made by Crescent and drive off the O.D. of the socket allowing a pass through center. Those worked fine on the exhaust items. The ones that cost me were the 8" long torx drivers to install the three top side intake bolts and the short male triple square drivers. Kind of a crazy design really, but I guess I get it.

Ok, got it. I guess I need to keep this in mind for the Cayman! Put it this way, you're huge money ahead.

You did well. I think you spent about 1/2 the actual value. Got pics ?

The VW sourced VR6 engine is a beauty. My 94 VR6 Golf has been brilliantly reliable over 14 years!
It's never been opened up but it does need valve guide seals now. (340,000 kms)

I wouldn't pay any attention to the negative forum comments about these engines.
But don't delay the oil/filter changes.

VR6 is about the best thing VW put out in the last 20 years.

I am jealous. I like the pricing of these pepperwagons. But is it time to DIY? I do have to say, looking for a cheap one, there are many very high mileage examples, that's a good sign ...

G

My wife daily drives our 2008 6 cylinder Cayenne. It is well over 100k. When we bought it a couple years ago the transmission shifted odd sometimes. I ended up removing the valve body out of the trans and had it rebuilt. Other than that, the thing has been pretty trouble free. It is very nice to drive. Was told by a friend who owns an independent German car repair shop that the 6 cylinder Cayennes are much more reliable over 100k than the 8 cylinder cars and they also do not have the complex suspension systems to fail.

I am intrigued by this VR6 version. Unfortunately a stick version, while available, seems like hens teeth to find.

2008 had a face lift? Earlier cars are the same otherwise?

G

mileage
 

Tim, what type of MPG do you get in your cayenne?

Lendaddy, can you post some pics of yours?

Thanks,

~Chris

My 996 has a weak AOS. Planning to replace it this fall or winter. Hopefully it holds up until then.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Only have one pic (beyond the engine shots) for now. My buddy has a 997TT and took this nose to nose shot the other day.

FWIW, mine is black w/tan leather, 18" wheels, and most other options available to the base model (moonroof, towing, gps, etc..). She pales in comparison to his animal no question.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1496890345.JPG

What is your mpg so far?

Great score!

(Off topic, but where are you working these days?)

Not sure on mileage.... When it gets low we fill it back up. :). Seems like I remember getting somewhere in the high teens when we took it on vacation pulling two dirt bikes on a trailer and driving 70-80 mph.

FWIW my 2008 Touareg V6 gets about 17-18mpg city and 20-21mpg highway. My 2012 Touareg V6 gets about 2mpg better numbers.

Looks like I have different wheels.... Mine has the black trim vs the silver. Tan interior with gps big sunroof and heated seats. I added reese style hitch and wire harness kit for pulling trailers.
In sport mode it goes plenty quick.... It is much nicer to drive than the 2006 X5 we bought this to replace. My wife llikes it for daily driving and I like it when we go on trips. Hope to take it up to at least 200k before replacing it... so far, so good.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1496966355.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1496966419.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1496966457.jpg

thanks for the info. sort of considering getting one of these. Thought maybe the 6 might get better mileage than the 8, but it seems they get about the same.

Great info guys. I am shocked how empty the board is over on the Cayenne side. Not many DIYers or is it just too damn good a car? ;)

I think a VR6 Cayenne is now on the short list for replacing my Golf TDI. The Bay Area looks to be a great place to pick one up - so many people bought these - looks like a glut of 10+ year old cars. I don't drive much anymore and the rest of the family never liked my hatchback affair that much (too small, they say).

G

Very cool Tim, knowing that you have one makes me feel better about the decision :) I do prefer your wheels and really like the black pillars, much more subtle look.

I'm only a tank or so in and am averaging 16.5 mpg (according to the on-board cpu). That's with a significant amount of idling and goofing off, not to imply it's a fast vehicle...but it's entertaining enough for an SUV.

Thanks McLovin, we'll see if it humbles me over the next several months but I'm pretty happy so far. I'm working in management at a smaller (but growing insanely) tier one auto supplier in West Michigan. It's a great company with a lot of great people but the growth has aged us all very quickly. That's the reason I'm not on here much but I'm trying to regain some balance.

Lendaddy, a friend has a 6 cylinder with over 200k on it. He claims that the 6 is pretty reliable/trouble free, while the 8 's and fancier versions can have issues with high mileage. It is no racecar, but much more sporty than a minivan. Congrats on your purchase.

Is the 2012 a much better car than the 08?

thx!

What are your thoughts so far.

I am waffling on what I need to buy...thinking about something like these:

https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/6158050703.html

https://toledo.craigslist.org/cto/6145174599.html

Early six was 3.2L 250hp. Starting with 2008, the six is 3.6L and 290hp. That along with slight body differences is why I chose the 08 vs ones like you linked above.... That said, I bet the older ones are fine in regards to having enough power for daily driving and pulling a trailer.

That V6 can have timing chain/sprocket issues. Otherwise, pretty darn reliable.

Lendaddy... How has the '08 cayenne held up? Ours '08 has 205k on the clock and still runs great. It is our "good" car and wife's daily so I am about to pull the trigger on a 2013 Cayenne base w/ 60k on the clock. I am thinking of getting rid of my old '03 330i daily w/ about 200k and start driving the '08 Cayenne as my go to work car. Wonder if I can get to 300k on the old girl? I really like the way these Cayennes drive and our old '08 has pulled our 4000 pound boat on several occasions without issue. It has been a way better car than the X5 we had previously.

The '08 back when we bought it... still cleans up about the same.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1571163537.jpg


I don't like the wheels, but this '13 is one owner and Porsche dealer serviced. Since the picture below from the ad, it has been professionally detailed. Was looking at '12's and newer for the newer interiors. Gonna be about $20-21k depending on how the deal goes down with private seller which is a great deal compared to others I have looked at..... Doing the deed on Friday.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1571163537.jpg

This thread should be moved to the Cayenne forum because it is totally ON TOPIC. Congrats on the '08 I love stories like this!