FCP Euro is a company that sells Porsche parts. They’re popular with enthusiasts because they offer a program that can help you avoid paying for the same service parts repeatedly.
Porsche is the car brand this podcast is all about. The episode is going to focus on how to maintain Porsche cars in a smarter, cheaper way.
Concept
master mechanic
“Master mechanic” generally refers to a highly experienced technician who has advanced training and proven competence in diagnosing and repairing vehicles. In a Porsche-focused discussion, that background is useful because many issues come down to diagnosis and correct repair procedures, not just parts replacement.
Skip Barber Racing School is a place where people learn how to drive race cars properly. It’s designed to teach you the basics of racing so you can improve quickly and safely.
Formula cars are race cars you’d see in open-wheel racing. They’re usually very focused on performance, so wrenching on them and driving them teaches you a lot about how racing setups work.
BMW is referenced as the mechanic’s prior employer, used here to contrast “Bavarian engineering” with Porsche’s design and serviceability. The point isn’t performance specs—it’s how the cars are built and how parts come apart during maintenance.
When mechanics tighten bolts, they often don’t just tighten them randomly. A torquing sequence is the specific order/pattern that helps the parts sit flat and clamp evenly.
A wiring diagram is like a roadmap for the car’s electrical system. It helps you figure out which wires go where, which makes diagnosing problems and doing repairs much easier.
An “engine out” job is when the mechanic removes the engine from the car to get to a part that’s hard to reach. It’s usually a big job because there are lots of connections to disconnect and then put back.
The Porsche Cayenne is Porsche’s SUV. They’re using it as another example of how Porsche cars can be easier to work on when you need to do big repairs.
Fuel lines are the passages that move gasoline from the tank to the engine. When the engine is removed, these lines have to be disconnected carefully so fuel doesn’t leak.
Coolant hoses move antifreeze through the engine to keep it from overheating. If the engine comes out, these hoses need to be disconnected so the engine can be taken out safely.
Drive shafts are the parts that transfer power from the transmission to the wheels. If you’re taking the engine out, you usually have to disconnect them so everything can separate.
A subframe is like a supporting frame that helps hold parts of the car—often the suspension. If you have to lower it to do work, it usually means the job is more time-consuming.
This is about how easy it is to work on the car. If a car is designed so parts come out from underneath, repairs can be faster and require less taking-apart.
The oil pan is where your engine oil sits. If it’s made from plastic instead of metal, it may behave differently with heat and over time, which can affect how reliable it is.
The oil pump’s job is to push oil through the engine so everything stays lubricated. If parts of the oil system are plastic, they can potentially be more sensitive to heat and aging.
Thermal cycles are repeated heating and cooling events that cause materials to expand and contract. Over many cycles, that can contribute to cracking, warping, or seal degradation—especially for plastic components located deep in the engine bay.
The oil pan is usually one of the lowest parts on the car, so it can get hit more easily than you’d expect. If it cracks, you can lose oil fast, and the engine won’t be properly lubricated.
The speaker is pointing out that some oil system parts are made of plastic. Since engine oil gets very hot, the concern is whether plastic can handle that heat and stress over time.
They’re referring to BMW’s 5 Series, a common luxury car line. The point is that after a certain mileage range, repairs can get expensive, especially if you drive it hard.
The timing chain is like an internal “timing belt” that keeps the engine’s moving parts working in sync. If it wears out or fails, the engine can run poorly or even suffer serious damage.
Fuel injectors are the parts that deliver gasoline to the engine. If they start failing, the engine can run rough and you may need costly replacement work.
Direct injection puts fuel straight into the engine’s cylinders. Over time, it can leave carbon deposits on the intake valves, which can make the car feel jerky or stumble when you accelerate.
Walnut blasting is a service where crushed walnut shells are blasted into the intake to remove carbon buildup on intake valves. It’s commonly used on direct-injection engines that develop “coked up” valves, restoring airflow and smoothing acceleration.
They’re talking about a fuel system that sprays gas directly into the cylinders. That setup can cause carbon to build up on the intake valves, which can make the car run poorly until it’s cleaned.
A “Jetta” is a Volkswagen sedan. “04 Jetta” just means a 2004 model year, and they’re mentioning it as a personal example of where they used to look for car parts online.
ECS Tuning is a website/store that sells aftermarket parts for European cars. They’re bringing it up to explain where they used to buy parts before focusing on FCP Euro.
Company
Turner
“Turner” likely refers to Turner Motorsport, a well-known BMW-focused performance and parts company. Here it’s mentioned as part of the regional/online ecosystem the speaker is familiar with in the Northeast.
“European parts” just means replacement and upgrade parts for European car brands. They’re talking about where people go to buy parts for cars like Porsche and BMW.
A curated parts catalog is a parts list that’s organized specifically for certain car makes and models. Instead of guessing which part fits, it helps you pick the correct items for your exact car.
Brand
Audi bros
“Audi bros” is a nickname for Audi fans who know the brand well. They’re mentioned to show that the catalog is put together by people with real brand knowledge.
Brand
W bros
“W bros” is likely referring to Volkswagen fans, since VW is known for the “W” logo. They’re using it as part of the joke to describe different brand specialist groups.
A timing belt kit is a package of parts you replace together when doing a timing belt job. Instead of buying pieces one-by-one, the kit helps you make sure you have everything needed for the repair.
Fasteners are the little hardware pieces—like bolts and screws—that hold parts together. When a kit includes the right ones, you’re less likely to get stuck or accidentally use the wrong hardware.
The “one click option” means you can order everything you need for a repair with minimal searching. It’s meant to prevent mistakes like forgetting a small part and having to wait or redo work.
A “dealer” is the factory-authorized sales and service network, typically where OEM parts are sourced. The transcript frames the dealer as the fallback option when an aftermarket part isn’t available quickly enough.
A lifetime replacement warranty means that if a covered part wears out or fails, you can get a replacement later instead of paying again. It’s not “free forever” in every situation, but it can be very valuable for routine maintenance items.
The water pump moves coolant around the engine so it doesn’t overheat. If it’s covered by a warranty program, it can reduce the cost of a repair that would otherwise be pretty pricey.
Brake pads are the parts that squeeze against the rotors to slow the car down. They wear out with use, so replacing them is normal—but a warranty that covers them can make maintenance cheaper.
“Gaming the system” means trying to take advantage of a rule to get more value than most people. In this context, it’s about whether people are returning used parts/oil just to keep getting replacements.
This is a warranty/return setup where you don’t have to pay again for the same part later. The company makes it simple: you send the old part back and they help you get a replacement.
This pump makes sure fuel is delivered at the right pressure to the engine. If it breaks, the car may run poorly or not start, and the part can cost a lot.
A lifetime guarantee is basically a promise that the part will be replaced if it fails, for a long time. In this case, they’re comparing it to the shorter warranty you’d get from the car maker.
A lifetime warranty means the company promises to replace the part if it fails later on. Instead of paying again when something breaks, you can often get a replacement through the warranty.
“Mission critical parts” are components whose failure can quickly cause major drivability issues or safety problems. The speaker is arguing that warranty coverage matters most for these parts because you’re less willing to risk paying out-of-pocket if they fail.
Company
Peer Bird
“Peer Bird” appears to be a parts supplier mentioned as an alternative source for the same type of Porsche component. The speaker’s point is that you can sometimes buy the genuine supplier part and still get similar quality while saving money.
QC is the inspection and testing that decides whether a part meets the brand’s standards. If the supplier’s parts don’t pass the strict tests, they may be sold elsewhere instead of through the factory channel.
Bosch is a well-known company that makes car parts for many brands. Here, they’re the example of the supplier making the injectors before Porsche applies its stricter testing.
In this story, “FCP hero” is tied to FCP Euro, a company that sells parts. The claim is that they can offer lower prices by sourcing parts through different supply channels than the dealer.
Company
World Pack
World Pack is cited alongside SSF as an example of a company that buys up wholesale inventory. The segment uses it to illustrate how parts can be resold outside Porsche’s factory channels after QC sorting.
That little “P” mark on the part is Porsche’s way of signaling it passed their quality checks. It’s basically a shortcut for knowing you’re buying the better, more reliable version.
Failure rate is basically “how often parts break.” If it’s around 1%, the part is expected to fail very rarely compared with higher percentages.
Concept
failure rate math (likelihood vs cost)
They’re saying to think like this: “How likely is it to break, and how much does it cost if it does?” If the cheaper part is only slightly more likely to fail, it can still be worth it.
The idea is: if a part you bought later fails, you return it and get a replacement under warranty. That can save you from paying full price again, especially when you’re buying parts for older cars.
User error means the part failed because it was installed or handled incorrectly. Warranties often won’t cover damage caused by mistakes during installation.
An oil change is a recurring maintenance service where used engine oil is drained and replaced with fresh oil and a new filter. For Porsche owners, the cost can vary a lot between dealer service and DIY or aftermarket parts sourcing, which is why programs like the one discussed matter.
A “performance envelope” is basically the zone where the car feels strong and predictable. Outside that zone, the car may feel less capable or less consistent.
Concept
air-cooled vs water-cooled
Some older Porsches cool the engine with air, while newer ones use liquid coolant. That difference can change how the car handles heat and what problems you’re more likely to run into.
The host emphasizes track driving (“driven in anger around a racetrack”) to establish credibility and to frame the discussion around how cars hold up under hard use. This is a setup for comparing Porsche generations based on real performance and durability.
This is a Porsche 911 Carrera S from the “997.1” version of the 911 generation. The hosts are talking about how it drives and how it feels compared with the later 997.2.
Concept
direct fuel injection vs port injection
Direct injection and port injection are two different ways of getting fuel into the engine. The way fuel is delivered can change how the engine burns it, which can lead to different power and feel.
Modern cars use a computer to control fuel delivery. With newer fuel-injection setups, that computer can fine-tune how much fuel goes in at different engine speeds.
Concept
port injection vs horsepower differences
Even if two engines are the same size, they can make different power if the fuel system works differently. The way fuel is delivered changes how effectively the engine burns it.
They’re talking about how the car feels when you drive it—how directly it responds to your steering. Some cars feel more “connected,” meaning the response feels immediate and natural.
Concept
Analog vs digital driving feel
They’re talking about how some cars feel more mechanical and direct, while others feel more controlled by computers. Newer cars can be faster, but they may feel less raw because electronics do more of the work.
They’re saying stricter pollution rules can force automakers to add more systems to the car. More systems usually means more complexity and sometimes less of the old-school feel.
Concept
Last of the air-cooled heritage
They’re referencing the era when Porsche used air-cooled engines. The idea is that those cars are remembered for feeling more old-school and mechanical.
Concept
DIY serviceability (access panels vs. bumper removal)
This is about how easy it is to work on the car yourself. Some Porsche 911s let you reach things by opening the rear lid, while others make you remove more parts just to get to basic maintenance items.
A “drive belt” is a belt that helps run important accessories on the engine. They’re using it as an example of what’s easier (or harder) to replace depending on the 911 generation.
They mention the Porsche Cayman as another car that’s “pretty safe” for DIY work. The reason is that the engine layout and access are similar enough that you can learn one and apply that knowledge to the next.
They’re talking about the Porsche Boxster and how easy it is to work on. The host is saying some Boxsters are still manageable for DIYers because the layout stays similar.
“DIY friendly” means the car is laid out in a way that makes common repairs doable at home. The host is saying some Porsche generations are easier because you can follow a similar step-by-step process each time.
“718” is Porsche’s newer Boxster/Cayman line. They’re saying that if you’ve worked on the older cars, the basic steps for getting to things are still familiar on the 718.
Fender liners are the inner plastic panels in the wheel area. Taking them out gives you access to parts underneath the car without having to remove the outside body panels.
A “false firewall” is a barrier panel inside the car that helps separate the passenger area from the engine area. It matters for DIY work because it can block access, so you may need to remove trim to get to what you’re fixing.
The engine cover is a removable panel that sits over the engine area. If you’re doing DIY work, you usually have to remove it to get to the parts you’re trying to service.
They mean switching between different Porsche generations or “platforms” and wondering if the same DIY steps still work. The idea is that some cars feel familiar, while others require a bigger learning curve.
A turbocharged engine uses a turbo to force more air into the engine. That can make the engine stronger, but it can also make maintenance harder because turbo parts take up space.
The wastegate is part of the turbo system that helps control how much boost the engine makes. The actuator is the piece that moves the wastegate, and in this case it can block access to spark plugs.
Spark plugs are what create the spark that starts combustion in the engine. If the turbo parts block access, changing them takes longer and costs more.
They’re talking about a problem where some engine cylinder heads had tiny defects inside the metal. That could let oil leak out, which is a reliability concern and something Porsche addressed.
If you go tens of thousands of miles without changing the oil, the oil can get dirty and lose its ability to protect the engine. That can lead to faster wear and expensive damage.
Term
Palm filters
They’re talking about the air filter getting packed with junk. When that happens, the engine can’t breathe as well, so it’s important to check and replace the filter.
The air box is where the engine’s air filter lives. If leaves or debris get in there, the engine may not get clean air, and it can cause problems over time.
Deferred maintenance is when you put off scheduled service. Instead of fixing things early, they get worse over time and can turn into bigger problems.
Before you buy, you want to check the car thoroughly so you don’t get stuck with hidden problems. Here they’re talking about using diagnostics and deeper inspections, not just trusting the seller’s story.
Scanning the car means plugging in a computer to check for warning codes stored in the car. It can reveal problems the car might not be showing on the dashboard.
This means looking inside the engine cylinders with a special camera. It helps you spot damage or wear that you can’t see without taking a closer look.
Maintenance history is the paper trail (or digital record) of what work was done on the car. It helps you judge whether the car was cared for and what might need fixing soon.
The Porsche Panamera S is Porsche’s four-door performance sedan, and it often attracts a different buyer profile than the 911. In this segment, the hosts describe a Panamera buyer who may focus more on the badge and price than on deep pre-purchase checks like fault scans, over-rev history, and detailed service records.
Sometimes a car seems cheap at first, but it needs a lot of work to be in good shape. The “cheap now, expensive later” idea is what they’re warning about.
Car makers often update a model a few years after launch. These updates can change the look and sometimes the features, which is why the host prefers the later Panamera styling.
A “daily drive” is the car you use most days for normal driving. The host is saying they like the idea of driving a Porsche every day.
Term
Panamera split
“Panamera split” sounds like a specific way the Panamera lineup is divided—like different versions or changes across years. The hosts are about to explain what they mean, but this clip cuts off right as they reference it.
A “refresh” usually means a mid-cycle update to a model—often including changes to styling, electronics, and sometimes the engine lineup. In Porsche terms, knowing whether you’re buying pre- or post-refresh can matter for parts availability and what powertrain you’re getting.
They’re saying some Porsche models use engines that are related to Volkswagen’s. That matters because some engine versions have more known problems than others, so you want the right one.
The segment is essentially about “how to shop” for reliability: rather than assuming all cars of a model are bad, the host recommends focusing on whether known fixes (like reseals and timing-related work) have already been performed. This is a common Porsche-culture approach—use service history and known issue timing to reduce risk.
A timing cover reseal is when the front engine cover is taken off and new seals are installed to stop oil leaks. If a previous owner already did it, you’re less likely to deal with that leak soon.
“Flat rate” is a pay system where a shop gets paid a set amount of time for a job. The point here is that Porsche didn’t want this repair treated like it always takes the same amount of time.
When a car is under warranty, the manufacturer allows a certain amount of time for the repair. Shops get paid based on that allowed time, not necessarily the exact time it takes in the real world.
The heater box is where the car’s heating system directs warm air into the cabin. If it gets clogged or has debris, you may need to open up or clear it to get the heat working properly.
Term
hook tool
A hook tool is a specialized little tool that helps you pull parts out carefully. Here it’s being used to remove buttons without having to fully disassemble the surrounding trim.
An electrical board is the circuit board that makes electronic buttons and controls work. If you drill too deep, you could hit it and break the electronics, so the depth matters.
A timing cover is like a protective shell around the engine’s timing parts. If it’s an “Achilles heel,” it means it’s a common problem area that can cause leaks or other damage, so it’s worth checking early.
Thermocycling just means the engine gets hot and then cools down over and over. That movement can eventually make parts crack or stop sealing properly.
Term
quarter inch
They’re talking about the size of the tool used to remove the bolt. A smaller ratchet can be enough when the bolt has already weakened or lost its grip.
That’s a protective cover at the front of the engine that helps keep oil from leaking out. If it’s the source of the leak, the repair can be a bigger job because you have to get to the timing area safely.
They have to disconnect the transmission from the engine so the engine can come out. It’s part of the process when the repair requires removing the engine.
Term
McCon's Borscope
A borescope is basically a tiny camera you can insert to look inside the engine. It helps you see problems without tearing everything apart.
IMS is a specific Porsche part that can wear out on some models. If someone says they did an “IMS repair,” it means they took steps to fix or reduce the chance of that problem before you buy the car.
If oil is leaking, it can splash and spread to other parts under the engine. That can lead to more problems later, so it’s important to fix the leak correctly.
The alternator housing is the cover that protects the alternator. If oil leaks into that area, it can mess with the alternator and cause it to fail sooner.
The valve cover is the top cover on the engine that keeps oil from leaking out around the valvetrain. If it leaks, oil can run down and soak other parts underneath.
A lot of the induction pipes for the air intake have to come out of the way.
Sometimes I can't remember, I think it's the turbo wastegate actuator
has to get completely removed sometimes in order to get the spark plugs out.
You just there's just added steps to do what I would call the simple stuff.
If you're used to working on like a 996, 997.
OK, OK, gotcha.
Do you think do you think that turbo motor is a reliable motor?
The three liter that they put in everything?
Is it a good motor in your mind?
We didn't see too many issues at the dealership.
You know, there were some manufacturing defects on the heads
right when they came out 2017.
Like the cylinder head was porous,
then you would actually oil would be flowing out of the cylinder head.
Oh, wow, I didn't know that.
I would say by now all of those got taken care of that.
That was remedied pretty quickly from Porsche.
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But past that, you know, as long as you kept up with maintenance, they were.
It's a solid car.
Classic though, as long as you keep up with maintenance, it's always that, right?
Yeah.
It really is.
That's the, I would say that's the Achilles heel of the Porsche platform is.
The stringent maintenance intervals.
And if you adhere to them, long life, if you don't, if you don't, you're in for a world of pain.
Yeah, yeah, easily.
Did you, did you ever see that Joe?
Like when you're working as a mechanic and did you ever get like a, like a pandemic
and that the oil hadn't been changed in like 40, 50,000 miles or something stupid like that?
It's funny you mentioned it because that's the platform.
That's the panoramas.
Yeah, that's the platform that got neglected to most, the most.
Really?
Yeah, it was the people who were driving around for two years without an oil change or, you know,
they would go 20, 30,000 miles past their PDK service.
And now the PDK is going, Hey, I'm done.
You got to put a new one in.
Palm filters would be packed with, you know, leaves and debris and bird feathers and, you know,
whatever else, you know, the air box is pulling out of the atmosphere.
Uh, man, they really got the brunt of, of, uh, deferred maintenance.
Why, why do you think that is the panoramas if you had a guess?
Appreciation, you know, they, they were sure they were expensive when they came out,
but all of a sudden they just nose dived and they got to a point where anybody can pick
them up and you had a lot of people who didn't understand what they were getting into before
they got into it and they're like, Hey, I'm good.
I got a Porsche, the used car dealership said they, they did all the maintenance.
Yeah.
And I don't have to touch this thing for a while.
Right.
And that, I would say that owner of the 911 owner are two different people
where the 911 owner or someone who's aspiring to own one does a lot of research, right?
It's, Hey, let's, let's go scan the car, make sure there's no faults.
Let's make sure there's no over revs.
Let's make sure, you know, we scope the cylinders and everything's good.
I want to see a full maintenance history, right?
Like I want to see a stack deck of I did this maintenance at this year, this year,
this year, this mileage where I feel like the Panamera customer was like, that
thing's got a Porsche badge on the front and four doors and me and my boys can jump
in and we can go, you know, roll through the town.
Dude, it's a 2012
Panamera S for like 12 grand.
What can be, what can be wrong?
It's sweet.
It's a Porsche for 12 grand.
Let's do this.
Yep.
Yeah.
And then you find out really quick that that's that car's, you know,
$15,000 away from a $15,000 car.
Yeah.
That's, oh God, isn't that like just the thing though?
Really where, and I'm going to raise my hand and I've been this guy more than I
care to admit where, you know, you're looking for a great deal and you find a
car that's five or six grand underwear kind of should be and you feel like you
stole it and then those cars are, you know, I forget who's, there was like a
saying, it's like, you know, a 996 is always a $30,000 Porsche.
It's, whether you buy it at 18 or $22,000, it's always a $30,000 Porsche by
the time you're done and you get it where you want to get it or you buy the
$30,000 996 and, and then maybe you don't have to do it.
And, and I've been that guy, dude.
I've been that guy where I get it and all of a sudden I'm putting money into it.
So it's really true.
I have such a soft spot, Joe, for the Panameras.
I don't know why.
I know people think the early generations are ugly.
I think that they're, they're unique and I kind of dig them.
And then when they refreshed them in the mid teens, um, I just think they look
badass and maybe it's just like the idea of like that BMW five series we talked
about me owning a couple of them and it's like, well, this is the Porsche version.
And I just love driving a Porsche every day anyways, if I could, you know?
And so I don't know, maybe it's that.
What, what do you daily drive?
So I want to complete your thought there because you mentioned, you know,
Panamera split, right?
Went to the teens and those of you who are listening, who are I panameras and are
asking what model do I get if I'm looking?
Yes.
Personally, for me, uh, 2016, 2015, 2016 Panamera GTS is like sweet spot.
So that's before they did the refresh, before they did the refresh, before
they put the V six in it, like the 4.8 later V8 motor that came in that car.
Like every time you fire it up, that thing just, just belts out this loud growl.
Really?
Okay.
Um, and actually one of my clients stopped by the house and I was outside with my
daughter and he started it up to pull away and it was loud enough that she
actually got scared and started to cry.
She was like, dad, what's that noise?
You know, and so like that's, that's what that car is.
Dude garage goals.
I want cars that makes kids cry when I start them up.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So if you're in the market, 15, 16, 4.8 GTS, uh, I don't know why.
I don't know how I don't believe they're built any different, but those cars
historically when I, at my time at the dealership had less problems.
Couldn't, right.
Can't, can't associate that with anything.
I just, they held their own.
I knew a guy once who had an O 15 GTS Panamera and he swore it was the
best Porsche he's ever owned, uh, more, more reliable than nine 11's, more
usable, more fun.
He said he, and this is a guy who's owned quite a few.
And so just to kind of back up what you're saying, um, what, I want to get
to your daily driver, but let's talk about, I hear, I want to talk about
McCons because people, I think are really confused about McCons because
people look at them as kind of like the entry level kind of every day, every
man kind of Porsche to get into the brand.
Um, they're really good cars, but then you hear these horror stories about
like the VW motors that are in them and some have them and some don't.
And then you see pictures, you see reels online of people with the entire front
of their McCon taken apart because they're trying to get to like, um, uh,
timing chain guides and stuff like that.
What, can you just demystify that for me personally?
Like if I was going to buy a McCon, do I look for the early ones?
Do I look for the later ones?
Do I look, is the S better than the base?
I mean, outside of performance, of course, but I'm kind of talking about
reliability.
So if you're going to go for an early one, I wouldn't steer anyone away from
that, as long as the front timing cover reseal had been done, whether it was
done at the dealership, which hopefully it was, um, cause Porsche actually
really emphasized that that repair be not flat rated, if that makes sense.
Like there was no, what does that mean?
So flat rate, you know, uh, as a technician, you work on enough cars.
You can kind of see where you could say, Hey, I don't really have to take X,
Y and Z off to access this part.
I'm not going to damage anything coming out.
I'm not going to damage the new part going in.
I can do this repair, uh, 100% successfully without any casualties.
Right.
And so that allows the technician to kind of make up some time on, let's say, a
warranty labor time, right?
Portious sets of time.
They say, Hey, you know, uh, this job pays X, Y, Z, and you can bill us, you
know, uh, an hour or so for this repair.
Um, and so as, if you can do something flat rate, you can now actually
make time on a warranty repair.
So that's kind of where flat rate kind of stems from.
Okay.
We're not, uh, it's not, it's not dishon, there's no dishonesty.
There's no, uh, you know, we're not trying to, you know, get one over on somebody else.
It's just, you know, you do something enough, you kind of know the best way to do it.
And actually a lot of that stuff does come out.
You'll, you know, I'm sure there's YouTube channels of people replacing Porsche parts
and, you know, they found the, the flat rate way to do it so that you could save
your time, you could save time at home, right?
You know, your Saturdays are valuable.
You know, if you can shave an hour off doing a repair, like we're happy to share that, right?
I have sticky, I have sticky buttons in my 997.1, the, the, the heater control buttons
are all crapped up and they're falling apart with the rubberized coating on them.
And to do it right, you got to take off all the trim.
You got to take out like the stereo and then you shake out the heater box and you
do it the right way.
Uh, I saw a video the other day where someone takes like a little drill and just
literally drills into the buttons themselves.
Uh, and then takes like a hook tool and gets the hook tool in there and just like
pops them out.
And then the new one just popped right back in and you don't have to take anything out.
There you go.
Maybe that's an example of what you're talking about.
That's a perfect example.
As long as you didn't hurt the supporting part or the main part, right?
I'm sure when he drilled through, he did it easy.
Uh, there's really, there is a board, you know, electrical board behind that.
So you probably can't drill in too far, but kind of knowing that and sharing that information,
you know, there you go.
Now, you know that you can drill a hole, get a hook tool, pull it out and then put,
pop the new ones in and be done.
I got my Saturday back.
So, so in other words, so then for the, for when we talk about the McCons and this is
like, again, like kind of deep nursery, but I think it's really important that people
like understand this because, um, Kyan's, McCons and some other cars, the timing, uh, cover
is a, is a major kind of Achilles heel in these cars.
Because now correct me if I'm wrong here.
The bolts that they used to put the timing cover on were aluminum.
And what would happen is with the heat cycles, they would, uh, expand and contract, expand
and contract.
And sometimes it would just like shear off and you'd get like oil dripping from there
and maybe other issues.
So they were always the bolts right at the very outer corners on the, the V shape of
the timing cover and out here is, is right where they would break.
And like you said, it's, you know, thermocycling, vibration, all that stuff.
They fracture.
And actually we just posted a how-to video on how to do that yourself on the channel and
the technician who's doing the repair, he extract it, not extracted.
He took out one of the bolts, um, and there's not much torque.
So he broke the bolt free with a small quarter inch and then he backed it out the rest of
the way by finger.
And as soon as he gets it out, he grabs both sides of it and he does this immediately splits
in half.
No way.
So it came out in one piece, but as soon as he put any pressure on it, completely snapped
in half, which means that bolt was not holding properly.
And we ended, we did do that valve or that timing cover because it was leaking from that
area.
You know, Joe, I literally just got my Ki, I have an O13 Ki NS, um, uh, is one of our
family cars and I just got it back from Porsche Nashua because it was leaking oil.
And it was the timing cover and they, they did all those bolts for me.
I guess there's like an updated kit from Porsche to fix that.
Yep.
And that's one of the kits that we offer on the site for that very reason.
Oh, now I know.
Yeah.
So that's, that's where Porsche would have a start, right?
Porsche was collecting information and they also, you know, came to the same conclusion.
Hey, these outer bolts are breaking.
If you get a car in that has an oil leak, we want you to start with these bolts.
If it happens to actually be the front timing cover, then it's engine out, separate the
transmission in the engine, engine on the engine stand, oil pan off, and you're doing
the, you're doing it right.
You're doing it by the book in that case.
So yeah, if you're looking for an early McCon turbo S, doesn't matter.
You definitely want to have, that's a place to look for sure on maintenance history.
And you're definitely looking to see that that repair has been done in one fashion or another,
but you definitely need to be done before you say, yes, I'll take this car.
So that's a big one.
That's the one, that's the, the McCon's Borscope.
That's the McCon's IMS repair type of thing.
Yep. If not, that oil gets everywhere.
It soaks the alternator housing.
It, it soaks just anything that's underneath that valve cover is completely drenched in oil
and could cost you later alternators.
Alternators don't like to be lubricated.
No, no, no, they're lubrication free on that one.
All right. You know, what we're going to do, Joe, is there's,
there's so much more to talk about.
Let, let's do this.
Let's pause here and I want to thank the audience for listening to us.
And we're going to, we're going to record another episode after this that we'll post.
And because I have so many more questions I have,
I have questions from the audience that I had reached out to some people saying,
you know, what would you like to ask my buddy, Joe, about FCP, about Porsche in general?
And so I just, I really want to thank everyone out there for continuing to patronize 11 After 9.
The podcast has taken off like a rocket ship and I'm super psyched for that.
Joe, I want to thank you. You're so kind to be here.
I'm excited to have you in the 11 After 9 orbit as one of our resident experts.
And it's, it's just really a pleasure. So thank you so much.
Yeah. Thanks for having me on. I definitely had fun today.
Yeah, dude. Absolutely. What are we going to do it again?
I love it. I love talking Porsches.
Me too. Me too. All right, everyone. We will see you next Tuesday.
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About this episode
Joe Finkel, Porsche product manager and master mechanic at FCP Euro, breaks down why Porsche engineering feels more serviceable than BMW—citing easier access for major jobs and fewer “plastic-y” mission-critical parts. The conversation then zooms into FCP Euro’s business model, especially its lifetime replacement/return warranty (LRG) and how it stays viable. Joe explains Porsche vs. OEM vs. aftermarket quality via QC failure-rate logic, then gives buying and DIY guidance: he’d pick a 997.1 Carrera S under $70k, warns about maintenance discipline, and outlines common issues like 2017+ 3.0 turbo complexity and early Macan timing-cover bolt leaks.
Is the "Lifetime Replacement Guarantee" at FCP Euro actually real, or is it too good to be true? Today, we’re joined by Joe Finkel, former Porsche Master Tech and current Porsche Product Manager at FCP Euro, to pull back the curtain on the ultimate European car ownership hack—including how to never pay for an oil change again—while diving into which specific Porsche models and years are actually the most reliable to own. Whether you’re a DIYer trying to save on the "Porsche Tax" or a 911 purist looking for the best-engineered parts, Joe breaks down the mechanics of the FCP program and shares his expert verdict on the 997.1 vs. 997.2 debate, the hidden issues with modern "plastic" engines, and the exact Panamera and Macan years that deserve a spot in your garage.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Oil Change Hack: How the Lifetime Replacement Guarantee (LRG) works for consumables.
BMW vs. Porsche Engineering: A Master Tech’s honest take on who builds a better machine.
The "Plastic" Problem: Why modern engines feel more "disposable."
Reliability Guide: Why Joe thinks the 997.1 Carrera S is the sweet spot of the 911 lineage.
Panameras & Macans: Identifying the common "Achilles heel" (like those aluminum timing cover bolts) and the specific years you should buy.
Support the Show: Please leave a worded review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help us grow the community!
New episodes every Tuesday! ElevenAfterNine is an independent enthusiast podcast and is not affiliated with, authorized, or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
