996 ENGINE FAILURES? Yep. Trashed Engine last week - help!!!

[rickdm]

As a side note, one of the members of our local PCA who is a very respected service director at one of the area dealerships went to Germany for a technical review of the 997. He said that it was a fantastic car and better in almost every way than the 996. However he bitterly noted that RMS design remains unchanged from the 996 and shoulkd continue to provide the same problems. He felt that they were trying to save one additional machining step that could have solved the problem.

rickdm

[glenndeweirdt]

Not good news having just purchased a '99 996 with 13k miles as a daily driver. At least I have a transferrable extended warranty to keep me warm at night!

[3.8RSR]

The car is now back on the road with its new 'factory rebuilt' engine. $A22,750 thank you very much Dr Porsche. The repair had to be paid for in full prior to pick up, which was done. No room for negotiation with the dealer.

This whole incident has rocked my friend's confidence in the marque, as such a minor failure of a head gasket should not lead to such major engine destruction in a road car. A nice engine as it is, it is not a highly stressed race engine. It should be an engine designed and built to the highest quality standard, commensurate with the brand and the asking price of these cars.

Its full service history, and and most of all its full service immediately prior to the engine failure, indicates a complete lack preventative maintenance procedures by the manufacturer in the light of these problems occuring all over the world, and must surely be grounds for compensation. If there was a lack of maintenance, then perhaps we could understand.

Next step is to write to CEO of Porsche Australia, Mr Michael Winkler. Letter sent. A copy of this thread attached as "evidence" of "someone elses design and maintenance problem" was also sent. Thanks again to everyone for all your advice and comments.

Any further information, experiences and outcomes with these 996 head-gasket related engine failures will be helpful.

Best regards.

[Rick Lee]

I would have paid paid by credit card and then disputed the charges. Having that kind of money yanked from their checking account would get their attention.

[Blanco]

Damn... ~$17K USD. Thats no peanuts either. Hope your bud got extra warranty with that rebuilt engine.

[rcwaldo]

It has been reported that Porsche replaces 180-200 M96 engines a month!! I will stick with 993's....

[Plavan]

Just never own one out of warrenty.... Leasing is the best. Just lease it for the term of the warrenty. That way if a grenade attack hits, your covered...and YOU do not own the car

[armandodiaz]

My brother works at a dealer. Although he hasn't said anything about the 996s, he has told me of replacing plenty of Boxsters.

I'm shopping for a new daily driver and looking at a 993. Could this be the reason the 996s are almost the same price as the 993s? I thought the 993s were holding their value, but now I think it's because the 996s are dropping their value so drastically.

[herman maire]

wow this is crazy

Im blown away that porsche cant seem to build a reliable modern boxer motor.
Freaken hell you can get 350HP from Subaru boxer 4 with pretty much no probs .

22+ grand I think I would have a nervous break down. Just because I wouldnt be able to afford that after buying the car , even if I had the money thats tough to stomach.

Just wondering is he going to keep it , or bail and sell it.
I thought this cars where really reliable and great daily drivers.

[glenndeweirdt]

Originally posted by armandodiaz
My brother works at a dealer. Although he hasn't said anything about the 996s, he has told me of replacing plenty of Boxsters.

I'm shopping for a new daily driver and looking at a 993. Could this be the reason the 996s are almost the same price as the 993s? I thought the 993s were holding their value, but now I think it's because the 996s are dropping their value so drastically.

Don't discount the 996. It is a great daily driver and EXTREMELY RELIABLE. My local dealer claims they have never replaced a 996 engine due to catastrophic failure (automotive equivalent of spontaneous human combustion).

When you consider price and less costly maintenance schedules the 996 is the way to go for daily driver especially in FL where you want reliable, functioning AC.

993s are not without their issues as well with the ubiquitous Rear Main Seal leaks, OBDII issues, premature valve guide wear, windows blowing out on early cars with 18" retrofit wheels, among others.

As the 996s are fairly new cars aftermarket warranties are available (try 1sourceautowarranties.com). Companies would not be writing policies on these cars if you needed to wear a flak jacket every time you drive them due to engine explosions.

Good luck with your search.

[sketchers356]

The GT3, GT2, and Turbo 996s use the 964 case and have none of these terrible problems. Porsche is using their previous success and current racing success to sell crap to their customers. I heard a figure here a while back that the NA 996 engines cost Porsche 1/4 what the price of a NA 993 engine cost.

[flmont]

So Much for buy the newest you can afford ?????

[armandodiaz]

Originally posted by techweenie
aturboman is right.

A dealer-serviced car is likeliest to get a "goodwill" adjustment. Escalate the matter beyond your dealer service manager to the area rep (called a Regional Service Manager in the U.S.). That level and above, they can authorize a replacement. What typically happens in a "goodwill" job is you get the engine (a rebuilt one) but pay the swap labor.

Goodwill or not, when the engine reaches 150K miles and this happens, don't you think you should be able to rebuild it like any other Porsche engine? Since when has Porsche offered disposable engines.