996 engines; what are the odds?

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I know all the stories and debate about 996/986 and 997/987 engine problems, but my question is this:

If you bought a well maintained 996 3.6 with sensible miles (say 60-80k), what are the chances you would encounter the sort of engine problems that would require a full rebuild in 5 years?

SS7

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Flatinfourth said:

anything else is a lottery

But I know the odds of winning the national lottery are ~1 in 14m, what are the odds of having a 996 engine properly grenade?

SS7

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mikeyr said:

GregorFuk said:

This aspect of Pistonheads is the one I find the most irritating. If you believed everything you read on this forum you's be scratching your head as to why you don't see the road sides littered with broken down Porsches. It unnecessarily puts people off seriously good cars.

Mine is on its second engine and has had to have that subsequently one rebuilt by Hartech... These are expensive fixes so think the OP is right to be concerned.

Whilst it might not be as common as a K series HG failure the cost of a rebuild is big enough to make purchasing the car a concern. But that has meant the prices dropping so those of us that don't mind taking a gamble can afford a car we'd normally not be able to

So given the choice again would you buy a car with an expensive warranty or put £8k into an M96 deposit account and hope for the best?

SS7

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anonymous said:

[redacted]

I believe a brand new 996 engine is still ~£12k from Porsche - and comes with a 24month warranty.

SS7

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anonymous said:

[redacted]

I believe a brand new 996 engine is still ~£12k from Porsche - and comes with a 24month warranty.

SS7

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Flatinfourth said:

shoestring7 said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I believe a brand new 996 engine is still ~£12k from Porsche - and comes with a 24month warranty.

SS7

So I wonder whether these are the result of the components that are reworked by the nice chaps a few miles from here.

I do think some of the posters here perhaps need to drive a good air cooled 911,and make the comparison to perhaps see what they are missing.

I do know there have been any number of iterations of rear main seal and intermediate shaft bearings, but I doubt if any are influenced by what independent engineers are doing, that doesn't seem to be Porsche's style. It did after all take them 30 years to get the 901 engine right.

Here's a picture of a 47,500mile old 964 engine. It's been properly maintained throughout its life, has been fed a diet of top quality oil, and for years has only been lightly used. The bores are like new, the studs show no signs of corrosion, the piston rings/valve guides/timing chain are all good enough to reuse, even the tinwork is good.

However, this big end bearing is damaged. Because the engine wasn't used after the problem became apparent it didn't break up entirely, but the damage is through the white metal to the brass and the crank is scored. It will need a complete re-build.



Sometime st just happens.

SS7

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DanoS4 said:

The one they're using now tbh. From 997.2 onwards, it appears they've ironed the issues out.... And the 991 engine has developed from the last generation of 997 (from what I've read - happy to have this blown out of the internet water!)

Fwiw, my Hartech rebuild price STARTED at £6k, then you have the other work done on top.....ie IMS bearing, strengthened liners. I also had a clutch done too.... Makes sense whilst the engine's out tbh.

Dan

As I understand it, the engine used from the 987.2/997.2 on is the type 9A1 engine, which wasn't so much a development of the M96/7 as a complete redesign with a different block. So it doesn't have the troublesome crank cradle and IMS bearings which were causing so many problems, and is strong enough to use in the GT3 and turbo. Presumably the cooling system is better also. I have to admit, I've not heard any reports of serious trouble with these engines, or the DFI system that can cause coking in Audi's.

Sadly, almost all of the cars using this lump (bar the 2.9/2.7s) are in the top rate of VED, and I'll be cold and dead before I pay £500p.a. to keep a car on the road.

SS7

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911wise said:

Pugley said:

It seems only the American law system progresses Class actions this way.

It was exactly the same action that did for Land Rovers disastrous K Series engine. Just after that BMW bought remains the company and started fitting reliable engines.

So which engine do you think VW/Audi should put in the 911/Boxter?

Joking aside it won't be long until you see the 2.0 litre TFSi engine in the Porsche entry level line up.

I can't see how a TFSi engine Porsche sportscar would fit with an Audi range that includes a TFSi engined sportscar.

My money is on a ~2l flat four.

SS7