2008 Cayenne V6 with vacuum issue, bad idea?

lendaddy · 05-28-2017, 10:49 AM

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,

SpyderMike · 05-28-2017, 12:08 PM

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.

DanielDudley · 05-28-2017, 02:46 PM

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

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

Arizona_928 · 05-28-2017, 03:52 PM

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

island911 · 05-28-2017, 05:23 PM

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.

lendaddy · 05-28-2017, 05:30 PM

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.

masraum · 05-28-2017, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lendaddy

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.

lendaddy · 05-29-2017, 10:35 AM

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.

masraum · 05-29-2017, 10:50 AM

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.

lendaddy · 05-29-2017, 12:35 PM

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.

Jeff Alton · 05-29-2017, 07:15 PM

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

lendaddy · 06-03-2017, 07:19 PM

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.

lendaddy · 07:31 PM

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.

lendaddy · 06-06-2017, 06:44 PM

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.

rusnak · 06-06-2017, 06:57 PM

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.

lendaddy · 06-06-2017, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusnak

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.

rusnak · 06-06-2017, 07:15 PM

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

JackDidley · JackDidley's Garage

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

sc_rufctr · 06-06-2017, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lendaddy

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.

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.

aigel · aigel's Garage

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