I'm posting my message twice (once in reply to another posting about 996 engine problems) - sorry, but its worth reading if you have/desire a 996 -
I've just had the worst possible news about my 1999 C4. Apparently it has a cracked cylinder or a displaced liner, which means that at the grand old age of 7 years and 69k miles, I need a complete new engine. The problem started as a bit of hesitation that was originally diagnosed as a dodgy airflow sensor. This was replaced, but immediately the car was started up again it ran like a tractor (clearly not firing properly on one bank), and had the tell-tale signs of a blown head gasket (steamy exhaust) on one side. Further investigation revealed that it was even worse than first feared and that there was a fault in one of the bores - coolant was leaking into the engine and vice versa. I've done some searching on various web-based fora, and it appears that this is a relatively common failure in older 996 engines. So much so, that one guy in the US (on Renntech) said that when he called his warranty company, the guy at the end of the phone knew the part numbers by heart.
Unfortunately, I have no warranty (didn't think I needed one with Porsche's 'bullet-proof' engineering and my respectful care), and Porsche wash their hands of the matter because they say I failed to "protect the investment" with a warranty; the car is "old"; its "high mileage", and the worst of all sins, I had my last service done by an independent specialist (all previous service undertaken by approved dealer on schedule). I feel very let down by a brand that I used to be proud to own - now I feel like a bit of a mug - I've got a 120k mile Renault Scenic that has provided more reliable service (still running with nothing more than consumables for the past 8 yrs)! Surely we have the right to expect that a company with the apparent brand values of Porsche would put its hands up to what seems to me to be a manufacturing fault?
The REALLY disappointing thing about the whole mess is that I was less than a week away from exchanging the car for a 2003 996TT that had taken me 2 months to find - now the deal's off and I've got to spend a huge wadge of cash just making my car driveable again.
Has anyone else had any similar experiences with their 996, or know how to squeeze a new engine out of Porsche for less than the £11,500 I've been quoted?
A final word of warning to all you older 996 owners/coveter - keep an eye on your water warning light (mine has been blinking intermitently for about a year now), and if your air flow sensor plays up, get the car straight to the garage. Apparently, my sensor deteriorated because it became contaminated by the antifreeze that my engine was buring. The car was also getting progressively 'rougher', especially at tick-over when started in the cold.
I you know anything about this manufacturing fault, please reply, as I am compiling evidence to put to Porsche GB.
Cheers, Alison
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Matthew1 Newbie
Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 4 Location: berkshire
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:32 am Post subject:
I think Northways near Reading are replacing (a fair few!) 996 engines for less money than this.
I've never had anything this major done thankfully but I've been very happy with how they have looked after my '87 3.2.
May be worth putting the car into a prestige car auction as a non-runner with a highish reserve and see what happens, if it's not in bits somewhere, and you could work out a way of getting it there.
aren't Autofarm also doing a permanent fix for this too?????...............seem to have a figure way south of £10k in my head.........but a bit north of £5k
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52780 _________________
Jays964 Silverstone
Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 110 Location: Cambridge
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:52 am Post subject:
Hi Alison, really sorry to hear about your problems. I'm pretty certain you're not alone as I've heard of this a fair bit before (I don't own a 996 myself)
I think the early 2.5 Boxsters suffered from a very similar problem in case you weren't already aware.
Hope you get it sorted and I would hope Porsche GB will help you out in some way. Keep us posted, it will be interesting to know how you get on.
Jay
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52781
Lee Bollom Monza
Joined: 21 Dec 2005 Posts: 190 Location: Dunstable
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:14 pm Post subject:
another option maybe to fit a second hand engine but then have the warranty done? i think i've seen autofarm quote prices for engines on there adverts.
i'm now rather nervous since i've got a stuttering with my 996 1998 c2 3.4. I replaced the MAF and it still stutters, taking it to JZM tomorrow and leaving it with them to sort out (the guy on the phone thinks it is a dead lambda sensor in the exhaust), when I replaced the MAF it ran fine really, doesn't sound like a tractor and it drives smooth unless I try to hard accelerate and then I notice the stutter, so I'm hoping it isn't too serious.
Another thing tho, the stuttering only really started to show itself once the service was done by OPC. which is odd.
This is a known problem, maybe worth taking it to watchdog? they seem to get results.
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Rodders Magny-Cours
Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 2594 Location: Banchory
only problem with Watchdog i think, is there won't be too much "joe public" sympathy for any 911 owner,as they'll probably think that we are all millionaire playboys(n gals)
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52822 _________________
I don't think Watchdog would be interested for the reasons stated by Rodders, however if there was a specialist Porsche magazine willing to take up the battle you may get somewhere. But I would imagine most if not all Porsche magazines rely too much on Porsche GB or Stuttgart to rock the boat.
If they start to give adverse publicity they are not going to be top of the list when it comes to new launches etc..
Maybe somebody somewhere has the balls...
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52826 _________________ Ex 996 C2
911Silverback Nürburgring
Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 457
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:45 pm Post subject:
Hi Alison very sorry to hear about your predicament.
Do not let Porsche fix your car under any circumstance unless of course you manage to squeeze a bit of good will out of them. I would give JZ a call at the very least, as well as some of the other Indes the guys have already mentioned.
Alison IMO the ext warranty is not worth the paper its written on. I posted a recent thread on here asking who had successfully had work done under the ext warranty and 1 person had a fuse changed and a new horn!! Big deal!!
You say your car is 7 years old and has done 69000 miles. Do you honestly think Porsche would quite happily book you in for a shiny new engine no questions asked????
It will always come down to wear and tear issues regardless of what the warranty is supposed to cover!
Yes OPCs do honour RMS but JZ could fix this on my GT3 for under £400!!
If your seriously considering having to spend that type of £££ on a new engine, maybe look at it as an opportunity to upgrading your engine to a 3.8?? If you was to get this work done properly it would add value to your car in the long run and would almost feel as quick as a GT3!!
Just a thought..
All the best what ever you decide..
...rob
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52870
smtk Paul Ricard
Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 3178 Location: LDN
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 4:25 pm Post subject:
Isn’t there a law/rule about customer expectation of reliability or something similar?
Those engine faults due to poor manufacture (I believe it’s down to bubbles forming when casting the block) then I think you have a reasonable case for a replacement
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52877 _________________
Rodders Magny-Cours
Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 2594 Location: Banchory
not after 7 years tho..............you can lunch an engine in very little time if you don't look after it...........so Porsche can wriggle out of it that way
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52878 _________________
Lee Bollom Monza
Joined: 21 Dec 2005 Posts: 190 Location: Dunstable
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 4:39 pm Post subject:
surely not a casting fault tho? if the block has casting defects from new then these will surely only sufface over time? and not wear?
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52881
Rodders Magny-Cours
Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 2594 Location: Banchory
AFAIK its not been proven that it is a casting fault............tho weirdly enough seemingly the bits that break off can and do look very similar..........and IIRC its a relatively few engines that are affected
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52884 _________________
Parts Dijon
Joined: 10 Nov 2005 Posts: 7590
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:06 pm Post subject:
Previous poster wrote:
Quote: Originally posted by 911Silverback on 07 April 2006
Alison IMO the ext warranty is not worth the paper its written on. I posted a recent thread on here asking who had successfully had work done under the ext warranty and 1 person had a fuse changed and a new horn!! Big deal!!
If you had the extended warranty then I'm sure the OPC would have to fix this - I'm sure I read other threads about people having engines replaced under warranty.
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52888
911Silverback Nürburgring
Joined: 14 Aug 2005 Posts: 457
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:57 pm Post subject:
Previous poster wrote:
Quote: Originally posted by So Poo on 07 April 2006
Previous poster wrote:
Quote: Originally posted by 911Silverback on 07 April 2006
Alison IMO the ext warranty is not worth the paper its written on. I posted a recent thread on here asking who had successfully had work done under the ext warranty and 1 person had a fuse changed and a new horn!! Big deal!!
If you had the extended warranty then I'm sure the OPC would have to fix this - I'm sure I read other threads about people having engines replaced under warranty.
At 69000 miles i wouldn't have thought so!!
Regarding other owners getting engines replaced, i dont doubt it under the full 2 year warranty, or exceptionally low mileage cars, however if you have relatively no history with your local OPC, i would be shocked that they would honour this type of repair quibble free.
Anyone remember the Docs thread??? Alison have a look at that with the search facility he was in a very similar situation as you and i think he had a 3.4 996 as well!
The fact of the matter is they have the wear and tear issue in the warranty and after 69000 miles, they will point out that this is the case.
Who knows there could also be a type 2 over rev flagged up on your ECU if so warranty void!.. as this is associated with abuse! ..which could of been done by a previous owner who sold the car back to Porsche, cos they ONLY check the ECU for type1 or 2 when you want warranty work done!!! Not before they sell it to you!!!!
Getting the idea peeps???
Alison good luck with your claim
...rob
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52892
Wizard Newbie
Joined: 15 Mar 2006 Posts: 1
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:10 pm Post subject:
I would give JZ a call at the very least, as well as some of the other Indes the guys have already mentioned.
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52895 _________________
Fingers Imola
Joined: 12 Jun 2004 Posts: 854 Location: Sydney, Australia
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 11:15 pm Post subject:
Alison,
Very sad to hear about your headache. I would very very annoyed if that happened to me! Did you buy the car new? I was told in the past that at least here in Tokyo if a car was bought new and the warranty ran out, Porsche WOULD at least in part foot the cost of a replacement. I can find out about engine costs here - its not expensive to ship back to the UK.... Going to meet my OPC today. My car is up for its first year service.
Hi there 'Servo'. I bought the car as an 'Approved Used Car' from an OPC with 26k on the clock. I'm clutching at straws right now, so if the cost of an engine sourced in Tokyo saves me money, then I'll consider it. I have written to the MD of Porsche GB, but based upon feedback from other people, I am not very optimistic about their response. Thanks again for your advice. Cheers, Alison
Migration info. Legacy thread was 52918
Philip1972 Imola
Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 850
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:59 am Post subject:
Can I suggest the motoring press? Honest John and the like? You can write as many letters to Porsche as you like, but until you are making them feel embarrased in the public view they have nothing to lose. Hope you get it sorted.
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