What's new
Porsche 911 UK Enthusiasts Online Community Discussion Forum GB

Welcome to the @Porsche911UK website. Register a free account today to become a member! Sign up is quick and easy, then you can view, participate in topics and posts across the site that covers all things Porsche.

Already registered and looking to recovery your account, select 'login in' and then the 'forget your password' option.

Unrivalled evidence based driver training experts, CAT delivers true dynamic understanding of how your car works

Head gasket failure

V

Vxbandit

New member
Joined
23 Nov 2014
Messages
14
Hi everyone

I'm a new proud owner of my first 911.
It's not the one I really wanted but the one I could afford, which is very dangerous territory I know.
I bought a 2002 996 c4s with 110 000 miles on the clock and full porsche service History.
I read a lot about how buying high milage is not always a bad thing but knew it was a gamble.
Unfortunately it didn't pay off.
After 500 miles of driving it looks like the head gasket has gone on one side.
I had to limp it back to my garage which is around 2 miles as wasn't aware at the time that it was a head gasket issue.
Just sounded like the exhaust had come apart at the manifold so probably buggered the engine driving it back.
Looking for a bit advice really.
How much should it cost if it's just a head gasket and no other damage.
As my car has high milage is this a good opportunity to rebuild the engine and if so how much should this cost.
Has anyone gone through this as I don't want the garage to pull my pants down on the price.
I know it's a lot of work but would appreciate everybody's input on this.
I love the car and have the 911 bug big time so in this for the long haul.
Just don't want to get ripped off or even worse pay a load of money out and not feel confident the right things were changed while the engine was out.
Thanks in advance for feed back
Looking forward to getting her back on the road !
 
There isn't a lot of room in a flat six and you may be looking at an engine out and repair. At an Indy with labour rate of £65/hr + VAT this is around 12 hours just to drop and put the engine back. It may be even longer - I'm not a mechanic.

You should have it diagnosed fully and then explore the options for a fix.
 
Head Gasket

Not the greatest start to 911 ownership but it's my own fault really for not waiting a little longer for the right one.
I think I was seduced by the GT2 Aero kit!
Yes I have coolant in the exhaust tip when I started it briefly I had lots of white smoke / steam coming out of the poorly bank.
I fear the worst and wonder if I ve just bought a dog car or just luck of the draw.
The feeling you get through the steering wheel of this car. It's like nothing else I've ever driven and the noise from the flat 6 !
I can see what all the fuss is about.
We were just getting to know each other as well
:sad:
 
I'm 99.9% sure it won't be the head gasket, they just don't go on the M96 engines, there is usually another problem like cracked head or something of that type.

Get a proper diagnosis at a Porsche specialist as they will tell you what the problem is.
 
If it is a cracked head, multiply the bill somewhat for replacing a head gasket.
Diagnosis is key. Either way, I'd guess you are into an engine out job.
Don't dwell on the matter of if you bought a dog or just bad luck.
Focus on the problem, throw money at it and have it fixed.

Good thing you kept a couple of grand as a slush fund eh?
Keep us posted.
 
Oh dear. Sounds bad.

Bad news: it could be anything from cracked cylinder to terminal scoring/ovalisation.

Good news: you'll get your head gasket replaced! Plus once the engine has been rebuilt (read £4-8k depending on problem) you will own a bulletproof 911 which will appreciate in value in the long term due to the good rebuilt engine!

Cheshire911s advice is also spot on i think. Don't dwell on it. It is what it is. Get it fixed and its still a cheap way into classic 911 ownership. Remember these cars are cheap for this very reason - the risks of problems. Once the problem cars are fixed and the risks die off they will appreciate
:thumb:
 
ragpicker said:
Cheshire911s advice is also spot on i think. Don't dwell on it. It is what it is. Get it fixed and its still a cheap way into classic 911 ownership. Remember these cars are cheap for this very reason - the risks of problems. Once the problem cars are fixed and the risks die off they will appreciate
:thumb:
Click to expand...

+1 (+2?)

What you do next is crucial and will either lead to a permanent fix or a fix that fails. This is all IMHO.

1) Take it to the best in your neighbourhood. Do you know where / who that is? If not ask on here as this place has some fantastic talent and expertise connected to it. And your thread title is like honey.....you've built it and they will come!?! (Ignore me, I used to sell washing machines)
2) Get everything in writing. Why? Because it helps you stay objective and (as my learned and wise colleagues have echoed) it keeps you focused on the problem.
3) as Ragpicker says, the C4S is a gem. It's dynamically far superior to the more prized 993C4S, better looking than the 997 C4S and only bettered by the current 991 C4S. Its a future classic. Good choice! And it's worth investing in. You've bought a very good model. :grin:
4) Please please please don't beat yourself up for the wrong choices made when buying. I'm repeating this point that Ragpicker made because you accepting it will help you focus on what you need to do. But not everyone does that and they then make mistakes. EVERYTHING seems obvious in hindsight and all our choices in life are more down to chance whether they come off or not than we like to admit. Anyone who tells you differently is trying to sell you something IMHO. Cars can and do break down. Yours has too. In short, if there are lesson for you to learn about buying do it later once all this is sorted.

It's going to work out. It's going to be okay. And you're going to have a car the rest of us on here are jealous of. :thumb:
 
Head Gasket

Thanks everyone.
Your comments have made me feel a lot better about it and yes I had fortunately planned to spend money on the car anyway and give it the full TLC treatment.
It's with Brooklands in Swanley at the moment so if anyone has any reservations or Praise for Barry and his team please let me know.
He is a Porsche specialist and seems to know his stuff.
I'll take all your advise on board and let you know how it pans out.
Thanks again very useful information especially regarding getting everything in writing, didn't think of that.
 
Re: Head Gasket

Vxbandit said:
Thanks everyone.
Your comments have made me feel a lot better about it and yes I had fortunately planned to spend money on the car anyway and give it the full TLC treatment.
It's with Brooklands in Swanley at the moment so if anyone has any reservations or Praise for Barry and his team please let me know.
He is a Porsche specialist and seems to know his stuff.
I'll take all your advise on board and let you know how it pans out.
Thanks again very useful information especially regarding getting everything in writing, didn't think of that.
Click to expand...

Good luck to you too mate. It's something we all fortunately rarely see personally. But when it happens I think you're amongst a good community who will 'have your back' :thumb:

Please let us know the details as they unfold?

Oh and ........


:useless:

:thumb:
 
Re: Head Gasket

Vxbandit said:
Thanks everyone.
Your comments have made me feel a lot better about it and yes I had fortunately planned to spend money on the car anyway and give it the full TLC treatment.
It's with Brooklands in Swanley at the moment so if anyone has any reservations or Praise for Barry and his team please let me know.
He is a Porsche specialist and seems to know his stuff.
I'll take all your advise on board and let you know how it pans out.
Thanks again very useful information especially regarding getting everything in writing, didn't think of that.
Click to expand...

Good luck with at all.

I used Barry at Brooklands to do my PPI, he really does know his stuff, sure he will help you out and find the issue(s).
 
Not the head gasket

Hi everyone

Turns out you were right, it wasn't the head gasket but also wasn't a cracked head either.
If it had of been that would have actually been a better result.
The valve seat came out for some reason and then bent the valve, scratched up the bore and ruin the piston.
I've come round to the idea of spending 6 k on on a complete engine rebuild.
I still love the car and will basically end up with a new engine by the end of it.
I cannot understand how something like this can happen.
Apparently the valve seat is an interference fit and very rare thing to happen.
Has anyone else heard of this happening and could it have been prevented.
The guy rebuilding said it's not anything I've done and basically down to the high milage.
Has anyone come across this before. The valve seat came out and soon after that it bent the valve and did lots of expensdamage to my poor engine.
Would welcome any feedback on this.
Tried to add pictures but wouldn't send once I'd attached.
 
Sorry to hear what the diagnosis is, it's the first time I've heard of this happening to one of our engines, it could of been a slightly bent valve unseating it, interference fit plus carbon build up would normally hold these in place for the life of the engine.
But if you are prepared to get the rebuild done, you will have a better car than before but the costs do start to add up once you decide to re-new other parts whilst the engine is apart.
Keep us posted.
 
Hang on a bit here folks , whats a detached valve seat/bent valve got to do with the engine overheating/coolant comeing out of the exhaust.
If this is so, then i would say the HEAD and CYLINDER BLOCK would be damaged beyond repair and a replacement ENGINE would be needed. :nooo: :?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

stupidget
Hoping for the best, fearing the worst!!!
Replies
13
Views
1K
Alex
Alex
T
Confusing Oil Pressure Problem
2
Replies
18
Views
2K
bananaz
B
S
Dropping m96 engine on your driveway
Replies
6
Views
912
mikeeb
M
J
993 finally sorted
2
Replies
16
Views
1K
Heuer
Heuer
M84
996 Gen 1 Stereo Spec
Replies
6
Views
698
M84
M84
J
Invest or sell
Replies
12
Views
1K
Jamespick1986
J
J
Major mayonnaise - help!
2
Replies
20
Views
2K
bananaz
B
Independent Porsche Specialist

Latest posts

New Threads

Porsche Model Range

Porsche 911

Porsche 992: 2018- Porsche 992: 2018- Porsche 991: 2011-2019 Porsche 991: 2011-2019 Porsche 997: 2004-2012 Porsche 997: 2004-2012 Porsche 996: 1997-2005 Porsche 996: 1997-2005 Porsche 993: 1993-1998 Porsche 993: 1993-1998 Porsche 964: 1989-1993 Porsche 964: 1989-1993 Porsche Carrera 3.2: 1983-1989 Porsche Carrera 3.2: 1983-1989 Porsche Carrera SC: 1977-1983 Porsche Carrera SC: 1977-1983 Porsche 930 Turbo: 1975-1989 Porsche 930 Turbo: 1975-1989 Porsche Early 911: 1964-1977 Porsche Early 911: 1964-1977

Porsche Hypercars

Porsche 918 Spyder Porsche 918 Spyder Porsche Carrera GT Porsche Carrera GT Porsche GT1 Porsche GT1 Porsche 959 Porsche 959

Other Current Porsche Model

Porsche Taycan : (2019-0%) Porsche Taycan : (2019-0%) Porsche Macan : 2013- Porsche Macan : 2013- Porsche Panamera : 2009- Porsche Panamera : 2009- Porsche Cayman: 2005- Porsche Cayman: 2005- Porsche Cayenne: 2003- Porsche Cayenne: 2003- Porsche Boxster: 1997- Porsche Boxster: 1997-

Porsche Legacy Models

Porsche 928 Porsche 928 Porsche 968 Porsche 968 Porsche 944 Porsche 944 Porsche 924 Porsche 924 Porsche 914 Porsche 914 Porsche 912 Porsche 912 Porsche 904 Porsche 904 Porsche 550 Porsche 550 Porsche 356 Speedster Porsche 356 Speedster Porsche 356 Porsche 356

Forum statistics

Threads
124,603
Messages
1,442,007
Members
49,036
Latest member
barrywhite

porsche insurance porsche parts porsche sales porsche car sales porsche for sale
porsche classic sales porsche tuning porsche sold porsche specialist porsche engine rebuilds porsche driver training porsche car sales porsche exhausts

Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2024 XenForo Ltd. XenForo theme by xenfocus

www.911uk.com @Porsche911UK THE DEFINITIVE PORSCHE FORUM Copyright © 911UK 2002-2024 All rights reserved.

911uk.com is not associated and is wholly independent of Porsche Automobil Holdings SE, Dr. Ing.h.c.F.Porsche AG, Porsche Cars GB, its subsidiaries and offical Porsche centres. Any word, phrase or graphic that in any way resembles anything to do with the Porsche name or organisation are registered trademarks of Porsche Automobil Holdings SE and Dr. Ing.h.c.F. Porsche AG.

Back
Top