How prone are Porsche to rust?
Discussion
Haven't read much on this issue and believe it is something confined to older porkers but I've read accounts of 996s receiving a full underside treatment. Interested to know a few things:
1. Are certain models more prone to rust more than others?
2. Where are the obvious places to look?
3. Should I get my 997 re-sealed as a precautionary measure? If so, how long is the original treatment likely to last (unless you park daily on the seafront facing the full force of the North Sea!)
4. Is rust only ever picked up early with a detailed inspection that I won't access without taking the car to the garage- should this be something I have to pay my OPC to inspect for?
5. Has anyone needed to carry out corrosion prevention on a 997? If so, details please.
Cheers
OJ
1. Are certain models more prone to rust more than others?
2. Where are the obvious places to look?
3. Should I get my 997 re-sealed as a precautionary measure? If so, how long is the original treatment likely to last (unless you park daily on the seafront facing the full force of the North Sea!)
4. Is rust only ever picked up early with a detailed inspection that I won't access without taking the car to the garage- should this be something I have to pay my OPC to inspect for?
5. Has anyone needed to carry out corrosion prevention on a 997? If so, details please.
Cheers
OJ
I've never heard of any corrosion problems with the 996 or 997 to be honest I'm on my 3rd now alough they have all been youngish cars but I've had no rust at all on any of themHi dont know of any body work issues.BUT and its a BIG BUT.....
Corrosion of Turbos and exhausts parts /nuts can be severe to the point of criminal. Even 3 year old 997tt have severe turbo associated corrosion.
Also lok out for corrosion of shock absorber casings,snd under body bracing bars and all the clips that hold the under tray on. and all the bolts that hols just about anything on........and he's off
Yep before you ask I have had one or two or three or...... (get the point), problems with corrosion of non body parts.
All sorted now though. The bolts etc are not too expensive the rest however has just set me back about £8k. That's how I joined PH and just as well I did. I did all the work myself and saved a fortune. Porsche wanted 12K to complete all the work.
So .... body work I believe are very very good. Much better than a lot of the top sports cars.
Other items can be very very bad.
This is not a neg post about 996's. I have a Scottish car and sometimes I think Its a boat more than a car.
Frank
oh yes my car as most know is a 2002 996tt with 51,000 miles and now is in great condition
Corrosion of Turbos and exhausts parts /nuts can be severe to the point of criminal. Even 3 year old 997tt have severe turbo associated corrosion.
Also lok out for corrosion of shock absorber casings,snd under body bracing bars and all the clips that hold the under tray on. and all the bolts that hols just about anything on........and he's off
Yep before you ask I have had one or two or three or...... (get the point), problems with corrosion of non body parts.
All sorted now though. The bolts etc are not too expensive the rest however has just set me back about £8k. That's how I joined PH and just as well I did. I did all the work myself and saved a fortune. Porsche wanted 12K to complete all the work.
So .... body work I believe are very very good. Much better than a lot of the top sports cars.
Other items can be very very bad.
This is not a neg post about 996's. I have a Scottish car and sometimes I think Its a boat more than a car.
Frank
oh yes my car as most know is a 2002 996tt with 51,000 miles and now is in great condition
Edited by Sunnysidebb on Monday 13th September 20:45
Edited by Sunnysidebb on Monday 13th September 20:46
Ouch Frank - that is a lot of money 
This caught my eye - http://www.cumbriacarstorage.co.uk/corrosion_prote... .Presume, you had to do a lot more work but it got me thinking whether early prevention might be required to prevent a hefty bill later but how long do you put it off? On the basis very few PHers have stepped forward to identify 996/997s with rust problems then I suspect that by and large Porsche have got the rust thing under control on their 21st Century motors and if they haven't then rust isn't a problem yet. Not sure about earlier models but little comment so far.
This caught my eye - http://www.cumbriacarstorage.co.uk/corrosion_prote... .Presume, you had to do a lot more work but it got me thinking whether early prevention might be required to prevent a hefty bill later but how long do you put it off? On the basis very few PHers have stepped forward to identify 996/997s with rust problems then I suspect that by and large Porsche have got the rust thing under control on their 21st Century motors and if they haven't then rust isn't a problem yet. Not sure about earlier models but little comment so far.OJ... said:
Ouch Frank - that is a lot of money This caught my eye - http://www.cumbriacarstorage.co.uk/corrosion_prote... .Presume, you had to do a lot more work but it got me thinking whether early prevention might be required to prevent a hefty bill later but how long do you put it off? On the basis very few PHers have stepped forward to identify 996/997s with rust problems then I suspect that by and large Porsche have got the rust thing under control on their 21st Century motors and if they haven't then rust isn't a problem yet. Not sure about earlier models but little comment so far.
Hi OJ, This caught my eye - http://www.cumbriacarstorage.co.uk/corrosion_prote... .Presume, you had to do a lot more work but it got me thinking whether early prevention might be required to prevent a hefty bill later but how long do you put it off? On the basis very few PHers have stepped forward to identify 996/997s with rust problems then I suspect that by and large Porsche have got the rust thing under control on their 21st Century motors and if they haven't then rust isn't a problem yet. Not sure about earlier models but little comment so far.I dont think it is necessary to go to all that extent and expense and pay somebody else to preserve the underneath of your 997. Honestly every body who has replied to your post is correct. Porsche body under seal is exceptional. I couldn't find one tiny bit of body rust on my car. Not one anywhere!!
I dont think the prep service you have shown will make any difference to the Turbo and exhaust corrosion. Its a combination of poor metal, heat and water.
As to everything else just get the car onto axle stands and clean up any other parts /metal braces and screws / clips that are corroded. You most certainly can clean behind the rads your self. Easy.
So as to body work dont worry IMO.
Other parts should be inspected. I have heard of many corroded exhaust/turbos problems but I have also heard of even more who have not. ( although a closer look might frighten a few if they dared to probe a little deeper) lol.
What I can say is I had the car for 3 years before I found the corrosion problems. I am now much happier in the knowledge that a 996tt in not a Magical Mystery Puzzle that only a "Trained Porsche Tech" can work on. Have a go and you might even love doing it.
Hope that has helped.
Frank
Edited by Sunnysidebb on Monday 13th September 22:17
Hi There
The only reason that you have not seen any rust on non accident damaged 996's & 997's is that they are too young. 993's rust and so will the 996's and 997's.
If you want to stop it then inject something like Valvoline Tectyl ML into the box sections that are likely to corrode the most, ie windscreen surrounds and the sill areas.
And yes the bolts can rust like crazy. I would replace the header nuts with copper coated steel ones if I had a 997.
Berni
The only reason that you have not seen any rust on non accident damaged 996's & 997's is that they are too young. 993's rust and so will the 996's and 997's.
If you want to stop it then inject something like Valvoline Tectyl ML into the box sections that are likely to corrode the most, ie windscreen surrounds and the sill areas.
And yes the bolts can rust like crazy. I would replace the header nuts with copper coated steel ones if I had a 997.
Berni
The first 996 I had was about 9 years ago - it had no crash history (although had already had a replacement engine 
) but was showing signs of corrosion around the driver's door lock striker plate (on the B pillar), in the form of bubbling paint. I have seen this on a number of 9x6's but never to the point where the paint has broken. It may have been a faulty seal behind the striker plate and rectified on later cars, but I can't be the only one to have seen this surely?
) but was showing signs of corrosion around the driver's door lock striker plate (on the B pillar), in the form of bubbling paint. I have seen this on a number of 9x6's but never to the point where the paint has broken. It may have been a faulty seal behind the striker plate and rectified on later cars, but I can't be the only one to have seen this surely?I had my 1999 C2 treated by Rustmaster (http://www.rustmaster.co.uk/). They spray waxoil underneath & treat cavities with anti-corrosion chemicals. With hindesight it was probably a bit overkill (they treat lots of Landrovers that live in mud) - but there were a few younger cars there when I was there. I was planning to keep the car which is why I had it treated..
I have noticed surface corrosion around the front suspension mounts on the inside of the wheel arches. It's not severe but quite a large area, 7-8" in diameter, its just surface rust but was a bit of a shock. I intend to rub down and treat all the arches, finishing with some Bilt Hamber Dynax to improve the future protection. It does look like there is any
I have done some online searches and have nt found any other references to this issues.
The car is a 53 plate 996tt with 43k miles, last retailed by an OPC in 2010 and technically still covered under the corrosion warranty but suspect pursuing that will be a waste of time. Anyone else seen this on their 996?
I have done some online searches and have nt found any other references to this issues.
The car is a 53 plate 996tt with 43k miles, last retailed by an OPC in 2010 and technically still covered under the corrosion warranty but suspect pursuing that will be a waste of time. Anyone else seen this on their 996?
Had rust on my 997 GT3. Was caused from stone chips around the the front sill and arch area. Thankfully OPC covered it on warranty as I only had the car 3 months. They said they dont usually cover this as part of the 10year (correct me if im wrong?) corrosion warranty as it has to rust from the inside out to be covered.
Stone chips seem to be a major problem around the front and back arches but got them to cover them with the protective plastic when they fixed the rust.
Stone chips seem to be a major problem around the front and back arches but got them to cover them with the protective plastic when they fixed the rust.
Yeah, they rust. Especially the cars without seal on the underside:
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-gt2-gt3-...
All nice now, though! My wallet got lighter instead of the car...
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/996-gt2-gt3-...
All nice now, though! My wallet got lighter instead of the car...
Air cooled stuff prone to rust in vast amount areas (B Posts/Kidney bowls/innner sills/jacking points etc)
993's under front screen leading edge of rear quarter panels/around rear screen
Early 996 around B Post door latch (no gasket on early models & you get a bit of bubbling nothing to worry about)
Not hears of any rust issues on later models
993's under front screen leading edge of rear quarter panels/around rear screen
Early 996 around B Post door latch (no gasket on early models & you get a bit of bubbling nothing to worry about)
Not hears of any rust issues on later models
Crimp a Length! said:
Not hears of any rust issues on later models
Well, you wouldn't, would you, lol! Cars rust as they get older.....Any car made from steel will rust. Porsches aren't immune, but I'd argue they are amongst the least problematic whan you compare them with other cars from their time period.
The worst advice ever printed in a magazine was "Porsche bodyshells are fully-galvanised so rust is only an issue where there has been badly-repaired accident damage". It wasn't true when I bought in to mid-'80s Porsches ten years ago, and I'm sure it won't be true about any other steel car either.
pauljmcnulty said:
Crimp a Length! said:
Not hears of any rust issues on later models
Well, you wouldn't, would you, lol! Cars rust as they get older.....Any car made from steel will rust. Porsches aren't immune, but I'd argue they are amongst the least problematic whan you compare them with other cars from their time period.
The worst advice ever printed in a magazine was "Porsche bodyshells are fully-galvanised so rust is only an issue where there has been badly-repaired accident damage". It wasn't true when I bought in to mid-'80s Porsches ten years ago, and I'm sure it won't be true about any other steel car either.
certain items corroded rapidly and show a total disregard by Porsche for material choice.
Front suspension cross bars.
Steering rack transer pipes, unpainted steel in an alum rack, totally dim; they rust through, fluid leaks and if you are lucky, the pump does not seize up. Then try to pull the pressure pipes out of the rack to remove it, yup, seized in so you have to cut them. Replacement pressure pipes about £600.
Cylinder manifold bolts, yes steel bolts in an alum head. The hex heads rot away, so nothing to get a spanner on to; I had to drill out about half of mine.
Manifold plate that joins the head; yup, steel, in all that heat, water and salt. Mine has just crumbled away, Please Porsche, why not stainless like the pipes
Aircon pipes, underneath the clamps under the offside sill. Salt gets in, plasic covering has been scuffed away by fretting in the clamp. Two failures, all gas gone.
Split rim wheels, maybe last three years before the salt creeps in betwen them, no preventive coat in there so it eats away and creeps out under the lacquer. I have split my rims three times for a strip and reseal, such a shtoopid design detail.
There must have neen some real dummkopfs in Stutgaart when they selected those materials
Oh, and of course the aircon radiators, the disc brake protector plates, .....
Front suspension cross bars.
Steering rack transer pipes, unpainted steel in an alum rack, totally dim; they rust through, fluid leaks and if you are lucky, the pump does not seize up. Then try to pull the pressure pipes out of the rack to remove it, yup, seized in so you have to cut them. Replacement pressure pipes about £600.
Cylinder manifold bolts, yes steel bolts in an alum head. The hex heads rot away, so nothing to get a spanner on to; I had to drill out about half of mine.
Manifold plate that joins the head; yup, steel, in all that heat, water and salt. Mine has just crumbled away, Please Porsche, why not stainless like the pipes
Aircon pipes, underneath the clamps under the offside sill. Salt gets in, plasic covering has been scuffed away by fretting in the clamp. Two failures, all gas gone.
Split rim wheels, maybe last three years before the salt creeps in betwen them, no preventive coat in there so it eats away and creeps out under the lacquer. I have split my rims three times for a strip and reseal, such a shtoopid design detail.
There must have neen some real dummkopfs in Stutgaart when they selected those materials
Oh, and of course the aircon radiators, the disc brake protector plates, .....
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