Retirement Project - 996

[DavidI]

Last week, I was called by a longtime friend who told me about an opportunity to purchase a 1999 996 C4 for a great price. The car had been parked in his neighbor's garage under a cover for the past 12 years. His neighbor has sold the home and wanted to quickly sell the Porsche. I contacted him, inspected the 996, and had it transported to my home. The tires were flat, but held air to roll it around. Of course the battery was completely dead as well.

The body and paint are in excellent shape. The interior has minimal wear and looks fantastic. The car comes with minimal records and I don't know if the IMS has been addressed.

I ordered a bunch of parts from our host and received them on Saturday.

Here is my plan:
1. Drain the gas tank and replace the fuel sender gasket (done)
2. Change the engine oil and filter (done)
3. Replace the oil drain plug and crush washer with a magnetic one (done)
4. Replace the air filter (done)
5. Replace the fuel filter (after running a bit as suggested)
6. Replace the serpentine belt (done)
7. Replace the spark plugs (done)
8. Replace the cabin filter (done)
9. Flush the coolant (Thursday)
10. Flush the brake fluid and inspect the brakes (done)
11. New battery (done)
12. Replace the rims and tires (done)
13. Inspect everything and test drive it!

With the Pelican brain trust, is there anything else suggested? Thanks, David

[2.7RS]

Nice.

Check for critters nesting in any possible place you can imagine.

Filter housings
under carpets, seats
engine bay.
exhaust
ac vents
under wheel wells

[herr_oberst]

When you hook up your new battery and before you turn the key, take a tour around the car listening for sizzling and getting your nose in all the crevices sniffing for burning wires.

(That's a nice toy to have fall in your lap! Congratulations!)

[rfuerst911sc]

In case you didn't know that car has the optional " aero " upgrade package . That consists of taco rear wing and GT3 rocker covers and front bumper . Nice score . I have a 99 C4 with a 3.8 they are fun mountain carvers .

You have a good list of maintenance to start with . I used Motul synthetic gear oil in the transaxle and front diff . Butter smooth shifting but any top quality gear oil will work . Just do a good solid baseline maintenance and drive her . Then you can plan upgrades as needed/wanted . Good luck and have fun

[1990C4S]

Run the remaining old fuel out through the old fuel filter before you install the new one.

There will be crap that you miss in the tank/lines.

[Zeke]

Great find. The rear humps on the C4 really wake that car up. Best 996 there is looks wise.

On powering up, Tony Callas would tell you to bring it up slow with a variac. Now since those are for main house line voltage AC, they are not for 12v DC. Find something. If nothing else, use lower voltage batteries and resistors. Don't disconnect once you get voltage flowing, you can leapfrog the next step. Give the steps a few minutes each so you can watch and listen. Likely there will be no problem but you could create one by just placing 12 volts on the system suddenly. The least you can do is plug in a 9v smoke alarm battery at first in the fuse panel in the correct place. There is no significant amperage. I always leave a 9v battery connected when disconnecting the main battery. You'll need the radio code too.

[Seahawk]

I honestly don't think Red looks good on you, David, but it does me...so

Beautiful find. Jelly.

[matthewb0051]

Check that the brake calipers are moving freely.

Also be prepared to address the AOS

[rfuerst911sc]

If you ever need to replace the AOS consider the UAOS ........ Ultimate Air Oil Separator . Developed by a retired Porsche tech it is a once and done solution . Porsche has revised the AOS at least 8 times and it's still crap . The rubber diaphragm is too weak and fragile . The UAOS uses an OEM diaphragm moved up by the throttle body . It can be replaced in 10 minutes and is twice as thick as the Porsche unit and made of Viton. Do a search for UAOS and there is hours of reading available .

[911 Rod]

Nice find!
Was it a steal of a deal?

[DavidI]

Originally Posted by 2.7RS

Nice.

Check for critters nesting in any possible place you can imagine.

Filter housings
under carpets, seats
engine bay.
exhaust
ac vents
under wheel wells

Great suggestion! Did a thorough inspection today and found no trace of critters.

[DavidI]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

When you hook up your new battery and before you turn the key, take a tour around the car listening for sizzling and getting your nose in all the crevices sniffing for burning wires.

(That's a nice toy to have fall in your lap! Congratulations!)

Will do and thank you!

[DavidI]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

In case you didn't know that car has the optional " aero " upgrade package . That consists of taco rear wing and GT3 rocker covers and front bumper . Nice score . I have a 99 C4 with a 3.8 they are fun mountain carvers .

You have a good list of maintenance to start with . I used Motul synthetic gear oil in the transaxle and front diff . Butter smooth shifting but any top quality gear oil will work . Just do a good solid baseline maintenance and drive her . Then you can plan upgrades as needed/wanted . Good luck and have fun

Thank you sir! The Cup Aerokit gives it a cool look. Thanks for the transaxle oil suggestion.

[DavidI]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Run the remaining old fuel out through the old fuel filter before you install the new one.

There will be crap that you miss in the tank/lines.

While working on the car today, I considered this and was going to ask later today. Thanks for answering it for me sir!

[DavidI]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Great find. The rear humps on the C4 really wake that car up. Best 996 there is looks wise.

On powering up, Tony Callas would tell you to bring it up slow with a variac. Now since those are for main house line voltage AC, they are not for 12v DC. Find something. If nothing else, use lower voltage batteries and resistors. Don't disconnect once you get voltage flowing, you can leapfrog the next step. Give the steps a few minutes each so you can watch and listen. Likely there will be no problem but you could create one by just placing 12 volts on the system suddenly. The least you can do is plug in a 9v smoke alarm battery at first in the fuse panel in the correct place. There is no significant amperage. I always leave a 9v battery connected when disconnecting the main battery. You'll need the radio code too.

Thanks Milt! I had not considered this. Much appreciated sir!

[DavidI]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I honestly don't think Red looks good on you, David, but it does me...so

Beautiful find. Jelly.

It was pure luck and timing sir! Thank you Paul!

[DavidI]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

Check that the brake calipers are moving freely.

Also be prepared to address the AOS

Thank you Matthew!

[DavidI]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

If you ever need to replace the AOS consider the UAOS ........ Ultimate Air Oil Separator . Developed by a retired Porsche tech it is a once and done solution . Porsche has revised the AOS at least 8 times and it's still crap . The rubber diaphragm is too weak and fragile . The UAOS uses an OEM diaphragm moved up by the throttle body . It can be replaced in 10 minutes and is twice as thick as the Porsche unit and made of Viton. Do a search for UAOS and there is hours of reading available .

Thank you. I have not heard about this. Much appreciated!

[DavidI]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Nice find!
Was it a steal of a deal?

Yes! The owner was a multi-millionaire and wanted to get rid of it quickly. Pure luck on my part.

[Scott Douglas]

Color me green with envy and I don't even like red cars.