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engine problem with 996?
I'm looking to buy a 1999 911. A friend told me that they have a potential engine problem, and I should look for one with at least 50 k miles, because once it passed 50 k without a problem it's OK. Does anyone have any experience or info regarding this?
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12-03-2005, 05:38 PM
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Location: Viera FL
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Some of the early cars had a rear main seal leak issue as a result of poor casting of the engine case.
If the car you are looking at doesn't have a leaking seal, chances are, you will be OK. AFJ
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12-03-2005, 06:32 PM
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The Rear Main Seal problem would appear to be unusually common in the 996; but hasn't been associated with the engine failures.
The failures, as I understand it, had something to do with a problem with a piece of equipment used in the manufacture of the engines, Porsche attempted a fix after the fact on the engines manufactured with this piece of equipment which has not held up, resulting in a rash of engine failures in Boxsters and 996s from the 1998 and 1999 model years. Once the faulty equipment was replaced, the incidence of engine failures decreased signifigantly. The rear main seal issue seems to be an ongoing problem with the M96 engines, and some have reported the problem with the 997s, as well. Porsche has regularly released updates to the design of the seal, many hope the most recent redesign has solved the problem. I'd recomend that you check out the 996 discussion board at rennlist.com for more info.
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12-03-2005, 07:31 PM
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No, but it has been associated with engine replacements. PCNA has replaced several motors with bad RMS or Intermediate shaft seal issues that were uncorrectable.
The "eating a cylinder" problem was mostly associated with the 98 - 99 boxster. The problem did happen on the 996, but not in nearly the numbers that it happened on the Boxster. AFJ
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12-04-2005, 07:20 AM
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True, I have heard that when the repair to the RMS has been attempted a number of times without success, the engine has been replaced.
I've also heard that the RMS problem is not exclusive to the earlier model years, but seems to have been an ongoing problem. Apparently some have already experienced the problem on the 997 and 987 (I think Excellence the magazine tested a 2005 Boxster in which they found the problem). I don't have any facts or figures, but the complaints regarding the RMS leak seem to much more common for these cars (996 and 986) than any of the others Porsche has produced. For what it's worth, I've driven 996s and Boxsters and enjoyed them very much.
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12-04-2005, 12:09 PM
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The RMS problem may be poor design..... a large over-hanging load beyond the last bearing support within the engine...to handle the dual-mass ( ot otherwise "heavy") flywheel / rotating mass ......
If so...the engine design needed an additonal bearing support that cannot be adapted.... Wil
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12-04-2005, 03:44 PM
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The basic problem with the RMS is one of excessive modular construction of the motor.
in the boxster, 987, 996, 997, the crankshaft and main bearings are supported by an internal structure. The only two places they are really supported is in the front and rear bores of the engine. A large rotational mass, bolted into a cage, which is in turn bolted into a engine case, with two bores, one on each end - it is difficult to get all of the bores to line up. On the earlier motors, the case itself was align bored, which kept the crank true to the case. This, unfortunately, is no longer the situation. AFJ
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12-04-2005, 06:14 PM
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So this design "flaw" continues..... ????
Wil
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12-07-2005, 12:35 PM
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It's only an oil leak...wouldn't let it stop you from buying a car. =
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12-08-2005, 07:20 AM
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But an oil leak that doesn't seem to be repairable?
There are a number of owners who have reported the leak returing time and again, having fix after fix performed.
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12-08-2005, 12:34 PM
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From what I hear, the latest Cayenne seal, supposedly seals it up for good, but who knows. I've got just over 40K on mine with no leaks so far
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12-08-2005, 12:36 PM
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Good to know they don't all leak. Please don't take my concern as a critique of the 996 in general. I test drove one once and really enjoyed it. I have been disspointed to see these problems occur and reccur.
I hope you are right regarding the Cayenne seal, for all our sakes!
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1994 Carrera 2 2011 Boxster Spyder 2011 GTI |
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12-08-2005, 03:23 PM
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1994 Carrera 2
2011 Boxster Spyder
