Dead 996

[glenndeweirdt]

It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to the 996 forum. My '99 996 is no more due to cylinder fracture (no, I don't know which one and I was too distraught, shocked, pissed off, dismayed, depressed, etc. to ask). I was second owner having purchased the car with 12,000 miles on the odo. Engine went at 57,000 miles.

I elected not to replace the engine as I felt it fiscally irresponsible to spend $17,000 on a new Porsche engine for a car with a market value of $22,000 (maybe).

Good luck.

Glenn

[Mookster]

Sorry to hear of your situation.

Before you throw in the towel and curse the at the gods:

1. Can you sell the engine core off to someone and recover some of your loss?
2. Does your budget have room to locate and install a good used motor?

$17,000? Do not use the dealer in this situation. Locate a good independent Porsche mechanic that can get you through this emotional pitfall.

If the vehicle brought you joy, it can again. If you want out, this is good exit point. What ever direction you go, just think it through.

Good luck.

[minoclan]

May I ask what you did or are doing with the car?

[glenndeweirdt]

Thanks for the advise. I checked two independents. They were both adamant that a new rebuilt Porsche engine was the only way to go. $17K either way. Dealer was $18K.

Honestly, the car was pretty beat up as it was my daily driver for four years. Paid $40k in 2004 got $5k in trade. Wife not happy with the P-car addiction

[9magazine]

So are we saying a M96 motor car is only worth about $5,000????

Brian
www.9magazine.com

[glenndeweirdt]

Brian,
I am sure a 996 "roller" is worth more than $5K under better circumstances. This was my daily driver and I needed a vehicle ASAP. The local Porsche dealers (I called 2) "estimated" my trade value at $4K. I could have kept it until circumstances clarified but my wife is already impatient with my P-car habit. Now I am driving a Japanese sedan

[9magazine]

Glenn,

So you have traded it in, or you are thinking about it? The reason am asking is that I seem to see this problem alot and wondering if its time to start doing articles on ways to deal with the M96. Be it Jake Raby, Factory Replacement, Etc.

Brian
www.9magazine.com

[glenndeweirdt]

I did trade the car for $5k towards the non-Pcar. It is interesting that I had coolant loss issues for two years prior. No one (dealer or two independents) could detect coolant in the oil. The dealer replaced the coolant tank. I heard rumblings about casting porosity in early 996s (mine was one of the first 500 off the line) I finally just added about 250ml of coolant each month. There were no other issues until a cold January day (-5 F) when bad noises came from the engine on startup.

[PlayersExpress]

If you dont mind me asking, what dealership did you trade the car into, im curious to see if they still have it. I would be the perfect car for me to build a custom track car on in my opinion for a good price.

Im sorry about the car, I had a 944 turbo that blew, and now I have a 97 Box with 137k that will eventaully go since I autocross it. I feel your pain.

[914helo]

Glenn, sorry about the engine. The original engine in my '99 996 went out last year at 92,000. I replaced with a factory motor and have been enjoying it (and the warranty). The '99's are light and nimble compared to latter 996's. Really a lot of fun.
Unfortunately now I'm changing jobs and moving so mine is up for sale. I hope another Porsche ends up in your stable soon.

[NOTASIX]

Originally Posted by 9magazine

Glenn,

So you have traded it in, or you are thinking about it? The reason am asking is that I seem to see this problem alot and wondering if its time to start doing articles on ways to deal with the M96. Be it Jake Raby, Factory Replacement, Etc.

Brian
www.9magazine.com

It's way past the time that these articles should have been done. I have enough content for a whole damn book on the subject.

[9magazine]

Jake,

Call me lets get a move on this. I think we need several pages in each issue just on the M96.

Brian
www.9magazine.com

[tomwitte]

"google" the following text for a good article on the 3.4L engine failures. Should come up as first in list.

...exploding myths 996 engine failures...

or check the following pdf link

www.autofarm.co.uk/pdf/Total911_July06.pdf

Written by a Philip Raby (any relation?) Cites work done by Autofarm and JZ MachTech, two specialists in England.

Good info and explanations on the issues. Even identifies the slow coolant leak.

Found it when researching my new baby, a 2000 996 brought home this weekend! WOOT!

[glenndeweirdt]

Tom,
Great article on the 996 engine failures. I bought my '99 four years ago with 12k miles. The coolant loss problems started about 24k miles. My 996 was one of the first 600 or so off the line so it has all of the risk issues. In my research I made the mistake of assuming it was a "tarted up" Boxster engine and that most of the reliability issues inherent with the original Boxsters had been fixed when the engine was adapted to the 996. I guess I was wrong :-((((

I am currently selling my '83 to fund a late model Boxster so I am not giving up, just moving to a new forum

[bosalls5]

Sorry about your circumstance. I went through a simular life altering experience. I negotitated with my local Porsche dealer (NJ) and agreed to $12,500 factory rebuilt (tax included). It's a complete drop in with the exception of the AC compressor with 24 month warranty....unlimited miles.

[glenndeweirdt]

Your local dealer was more generous than mine. I can't fault them as I purchased and maintained the car privately . I am currently looking at a Boxster at Porsche of Princeton as I cannot afford another 996 or 997

[9magazine]

I have been doing some research on used engines, and I have received quotes from $9000 (free shipping) to $12,000 plus shipping.

Anyone has any idea of what "book time" is to R&R the motor?

Brian
www.9magazine.com

[NOTASIX]

Damn, 9K for a USED engine?? At that I'd hope they'd pay shipping!

All of a sudden my prices appear much cheaper.

[9magazine]

Jake,

We so need to educate owners why going with you is the BEST choice, not only dollar wise but for the piece of mind that $9,000 in a few months won't turn out to be another $9,000 again and again and again!

Brian
www.9magazine.com

[NOTASIX]

True, but when it comes from me it is written off as a sales pitch.