what is an 'early' 3.4 996?
Discussion
How many people's cars have niggles that need fixing but just haven't got round to it? Are all of your cars perfect or am I among fellow e'er-tinkerers?
Mine need tyres, the drivers seat heated element needs renewing, the interior needs a refurb, the wheels need a refurb, hot starting issues (and related alarm problems), sunroof whistle (I think), and a dash that creaks so much I'm seriously considering dismantling the whole thing and wrapping fabric tape around all rubbing plastics.
I am aware it's 20+ years old, lives outside and is my daily, I still absolutely love it, want to keep it forever and it's all fixable (except the bloody whistle which I cannot find specifically). But sometimes, just sometimes I do miss the reliability of a warranty.
Mine need tyres, the drivers seat heated element needs renewing, the interior needs a refurb, the wheels need a refurb, hot starting issues (and related alarm problems), sunroof whistle (I think), and a dash that creaks so much I'm seriously considering dismantling the whole thing and wrapping fabric tape around all rubbing plastics.
I am aware it's 20+ years old, lives outside and is my daily, I still absolutely love it, want to keep it forever and it's all fixable (except the bloody whistle which I cannot find specifically). But sometimes, just sometimes I do miss the reliability of a warranty.
The only issue with mine is that is mists up when parked in colder weather after a run. It's like it's damp, but its not as it lives in the garage? Yesterday I had to drop some shopping off for my Mum, pulled the car out the garage and drove to Hayling. Dropped the shopping off, quick chat with her and the car has steamed up in 20 minutes or so? I don't run the air recirculation on, I had the air con on with the heating so it should be dry. It's my only gripe!
Oh that and I need to replace the drivers foot rest as mine is broken. Other than that it's pretty much spot on, it drives really well, stops well and looks pretty good when it's clean. Quite enjoying lock down from a car use point of view, I can't take the family with me when I run errands, so may as well use the 996
Oh that and I need to replace the drivers foot rest as mine is broken. Other than that it's pretty much spot on, it drives really well, stops well and looks pretty good when it's clean. Quite enjoying lock down from a car use point of view, I can't take the family with me when I run errands, so may as well use the 996
I fixed most of the niggles last year and no more have come up. There are a few minor bodywork issues I'd like to get sorted and I'm missing one headlight washer nozzle but that's it.
The trouble with not having any necessary jobs is that I start to think on daft things I want to do. Engine mounts despite not thinking I need them, 997 shift mechanism even though I'm perfectly happy with the shift, a few interior changes to do a sort of backdate. Its not my daily, its my hobby so I need it to keep me occupied.
The trouble with not having any necessary jobs is that I start to think on daft things I want to do. Engine mounts despite not thinking I need them, 997 shift mechanism even though I'm perfectly happy with the shift, a few interior changes to do a sort of backdate. Its not my daily, its my hobby so I need it to keep me occupied.
Thing is that everybody has a different threshold for 'little niggles'. Mine's running pretty well at the moment and, touch wood, mechanically is pretty much perfect (until the next thing goes wrong, obviously). So from that perspective, I'm deliriously happy with it!
But something has fallen off in the driver's side air vent and so you can't turn it off (which isn't an issue as I never turn it off). And there's a wiring fault to the driver's side mirror, so the mirror controls don't move it (but again, that's not an issue as me and my wife always have it in the same position). To some people I'm sure those are massive issues that would interfere with their enjoyment of the car. To me, barely worth looking at.
But fundamentally I can't imagine that any 20-year-old car will ever be entirely niggle free.
But something has fallen off in the driver's side air vent and so you can't turn it off (which isn't an issue as I never turn it off). And there's a wiring fault to the driver's side mirror, so the mirror controls don't move it (but again, that's not an issue as me and my wife always have it in the same position). To some people I'm sure those are massive issues that would interfere with their enjoyment of the car. To me, barely worth looking at.
But fundamentally I can't imagine that any 20-year-old car will ever be entirely niggle free.
deckster said:
But fundamentally I can't imagine that any 20-year-old car will ever be entirely niggle free.
Exactly. Mine is pretty good but there are a couple of oil leaks I'd like to attend to, and I want to change the variocam slippers at the next oil change. And I don't know when the power steering fluid was last changed so need to do that too. Wheels need repainting really and there is a bit of lacquer peel on the bumper which would be good to get sorted.... And I need to get a new remote key!For a lot of people some of these wouldn't even register as the car runs fine but there will always be something to do.
Fast Bug said:
The only issue with mine is that is mists up when parked in colder weather after a run. It's like it's damp, but its not as it lives in the garage? Yesterday I had to drop some shopping off for my Mum, pulled the car out the garage and drove to Hayling. Dropped the shopping off, quick chat with her and the car has steamed up in 20 minutes or so? I don't run the air recirculation on, I had the air con on with the heating so it should be dry. It's my only gripe!
Oh that and I need to replace the drivers foot rest as mine is broken. Other than that it's pretty much spot on, it drives really well, stops well and looks pretty good when it's clean. Quite enjoying lock down from a car use point of view, I can't take the family with me when I run errands, so may as well use the 996
Maybe small leak from the heater matrix? Easy to change on the 9X6 platform thankfully! Oh that and I need to replace the drivers foot rest as mine is broken. Other than that it's pretty much spot on, it drives really well, stops well and looks pretty good when it's clean. Quite enjoying lock down from a car use point of view, I can't take the family with me when I run errands, so may as well use the 996
I figured steaming up was just a feature of the car as I see a lot of people mention it. I bought 2 of those big rechargeable bags of silica gel from amazon and just keep one in the car all the time. No more steamy windows.
Good to know the matrix is an easy fix if needed. Bought a cheap Honda with a goosed matrix recently as the owner had been quoted nearly £2k to replace it. Figured I could fix it easy. Had to get a used part from Lithuania and took me a total of 3 days. Whole dash out, steering assembly out, both front seats out. Complete arse of a job.
Good to know the matrix is an easy fix if needed. Bought a cheap Honda with a goosed matrix recently as the owner had been quoted nearly £2k to replace it. Figured I could fix it easy. Had to get a used part from Lithuania and took me a total of 3 days. Whole dash out, steering assembly out, both front seats out. Complete arse of a job.
Edited by nunpuncher on Monday 18th January 15:24
Fast Bug said:
shalmaneser said:
Maybe small leak from the heater matrix? Easy to change on the 9X6 platform thankfully!
Where would that be wet? Passenger footwell?I need a wheel refurb as well after I caught a kerb coming off a roundabout with too much enthusiasm and not enough talent
It really is a very easy job to change the matrix though which is really nice, as nunpuncher says some cars can be a total nightmare, in the 9x6 its an hours job if that.
Fast Bug said:
The only issue with mine is that is mists up when parked in colder weather after a run. It's like it's damp, but its not as it lives in the garage? Yesterday I had to drop some shopping off for my Mum, pulled the car out the garage and drove to Hayling. Dropped the shopping off, quick chat with her and the car has steamed up in 20 minutes or so? I don't run the air recirculation on, I had the air con on with the heating so it should be dry. It's my only gripe!
Oh that and I need to replace the drivers foot rest as mine is broken. Other than that it's pretty much spot on, it drives really well, stops well and looks pretty good when it's clean. Quite enjoying lock down from a car use point of view, I can't take the family with me when I run errands, so may as well use the 996
I cleared my front drains and since then my front screen has been mist free. However my rear screen is regularly misted up.Oh that and I need to replace the drivers foot rest as mine is broken. Other than that it's pretty much spot on, it drives really well, stops well and looks pretty good when it's clean. Quite enjoying lock down from a car use point of view, I can't take the family with me when I run errands, so may as well use the 996
I also have a sticky clutch pedal - not wishing to return - if I rev it hard-ish.
Finally I have a lazy starter when the engine is hot.
ATM said:
I cleared my front drains and since then my front screen has been mist free. However my rear screen is regularly misted up.
I also have a sticky clutch pedal - not wishing to return - if I rev it hard-ish.
Finally I have a lazy starter when the engine is hot.
I was told the sluggish starting when the engine is hot can be cured by having the cable between the battery & starter motor replaced. There is a YouTube video of it. I also have a sticky clutch pedal - not wishing to return - if I rev it hard-ish.
Finally I have a lazy starter when the engine is hot.
OpulentBob said:
How many people's cars have niggles that need fixing but just haven't got round to it? Are all of your cars perfect or am I among fellow e'er-tinkerers?
I have a few!My drivers side air vent rattles, the vanes are off the control arm - I'm slightly ashamed to say I haven't got round to it as it is probably only a 20minute job to fix.
There is still an old microphone by the rear view mirror which I need to remove, and I have ~3m spare cable from something sat in the passenger footwell, which I need to trace and remove, it was stuffed behind the radio.
When I did my centre console delete I moved the heated seat switches up to horseshoe, but I have put them in the wrong way round, so they need switching over.
There is an occasional knock from the NSF suspension, I suspect it is either the droplink or the ARB bush as everything else was either new last year, or within the last 10k miles.
I was hoping to do an intermediate oil change at 94k (5k after the last service), but scaffold around the house has prevented it and I am now at nearly 95k. I am not using it as much now, probably only 300miles a month, an it is due a major service in May, so I may just get that done a bit early.
And, saving the big one until last, I will do some preventative maintenance on the gearbox this year, it is relatively noisy at motorway speeds especially when it has crawled slowly out of London (ie when the gearbox oil is hottest).
shalmaneser said:
Chances are that if it is the heater matrix then it'll be a minor fracture which expands when it gets hot and weeps a tiny amount of coolant that almost immediately flashes off so might well not be a drip or puddle at all. Have you checked your scuttle drains? They often get clogged up resulting in a damp cabin filter through which humidifies the incoming air also.
It really is a very easy job to change the matrix though which is really nice, as nunpuncher says some cars can be a total nightmare, in the 9x6 its an hours job if that.
Not cleared them out for a few years, will give that a go firstIt really is a very easy job to change the matrix though which is really nice, as nunpuncher says some cars can be a total nightmare, in the 9x6 its an hours job if that.
My 98 C2 Cabrio rear spoiler is one niggle which has been throwing me for a while.
The light doesn't go out when I set off, but the spoiler deploys at speed. It just usually doesn't come down again when I slow or stop, even on the button.
If I reset the ignition, sometimes it then comes down all the way on the button if I press and hold, other times it only comes down a couple of inches then stops. It's not the teeth, nor does it seem physical, as the motor stops. It's electrical.
I've tried swapping the entire decklid assembly, after previous attempts to adapt a very close 997 loom with microswitches failed. I've swapped the up and down relays and checked the deck lid connector for any corrosion.
I'll have another look when the weather perks up, but suspect it's a control unit issue, which is the instrument cluster, I believe in an early 98 car. A few others have described the problem on forums, but nobody ever posted a fix. The Turbo's have a different system than the cable driven system on my C2, so those fixes don't apply.
Other than that, the gearbox will be coming out in the spring as I can hear the start of pinion bearing whine at 120K miles. Whilst this is out, I'll do the AOS belows, brake pipe which goes over the gearbox, engine mounts with RS versions and check/replace the clutch and flywheel. Whilst I'm there, I need to see if the RMS or IMS cover is leaking as even though both have apparently been done, there's a slow leak from somewhere in that area.
The paint looks good polished, but close up has micro blisters on the top of the rear wings and one front wing. I may plan a full respray in a couple of years.
The light doesn't go out when I set off, but the spoiler deploys at speed. It just usually doesn't come down again when I slow or stop, even on the button.
If I reset the ignition, sometimes it then comes down all the way on the button if I press and hold, other times it only comes down a couple of inches then stops. It's not the teeth, nor does it seem physical, as the motor stops. It's electrical.
I've tried swapping the entire decklid assembly, after previous attempts to adapt a very close 997 loom with microswitches failed. I've swapped the up and down relays and checked the deck lid connector for any corrosion.
I'll have another look when the weather perks up, but suspect it's a control unit issue, which is the instrument cluster, I believe in an early 98 car. A few others have described the problem on forums, but nobody ever posted a fix. The Turbo's have a different system than the cable driven system on my C2, so those fixes don't apply.
Other than that, the gearbox will be coming out in the spring as I can hear the start of pinion bearing whine at 120K miles. Whilst this is out, I'll do the AOS belows, brake pipe which goes over the gearbox, engine mounts with RS versions and check/replace the clutch and flywheel. Whilst I'm there, I need to see if the RMS or IMS cover is leaking as even though both have apparently been done, there's a slow leak from somewhere in that area.
The paint looks good polished, but close up has micro blisters on the top of the rear wings and one front wing. I may plan a full respray in a couple of years.
Edited by MarcusPD on Tuesday 19th January 09:58
MarcusPD said:
My 98 C2 Cabrio rear spoiler is one niggle which has been throwing me for a while.
The light doesn't go out when I set off, but the spoiler deploys at speed. It just usually doesn't come down again when I slow or stop, even on the button.
If I reset the ignition, sometimes it then comes down all the way on the button if I press and hold, other times it only comes down a couple of inches then stops. It's not the teeth, nor does it seem physical, as the motor stops. It's electrical.
I've tried swapping the entire decklid assembly, after previous attempts to adapt a very close 997 loom with microswitches failed. I've swapped the up and down relays and checked the deck lid connector for any corrosion.
I have this occasionally on start up but only when the car has not been used for a few days.The light doesn't go out when I set off, but the spoiler deploys at speed. It just usually doesn't come down again when I slow or stop, even on the button.
If I reset the ignition, sometimes it then comes down all the way on the button if I press and hold, other times it only comes down a couple of inches then stops. It's not the teeth, nor does it seem physical, as the motor stops. It's electrical.
I've tried swapping the entire decklid assembly, after previous attempts to adapt a very close 997 loom with microswitches failed. I've swapped the up and down relays and checked the deck lid connector for any corrosion.
OpulentBob said:
jonny996 said:
The rubber round the rear screen never seems to fit bottom near side. .
I forgot about that - mine too. I've got some black silicone to seal it with but it hasn't been properly dry in weeks. I've got a fully fit car, but it my as well be an art installation for the amount it's moved since last spring.
Gojng to get MOT and some bodywork tidied in Feb then keep fingers crossed.
New normal means I'm not using a car very much these days, and I doubt I'll ever had the pattern I had pre baby.
Got a Q5 to replace the other half's Mini, which is our family wagon. Its excellent.
M3 is now totally redundant so will probably get rid when the warranty ends in the summer.
996 may become my primary transport, then I'll get an Up GTi or something cheap for station runs and if I need to carry a bike. New Defender 90 appealing too.
richthebike said:
OpulentBob said:
jonny996 said:
The rubber round the rear screen never seems to fit bottom near side. .
I forgot about that - mine too. I've got some black silicone to seal it with but it hasn't been properly dry in weeks. I've got a fully fit car, but it my as well be an art installation for the amount it's moved since last spring.
Gojng to get MOT and some bodywork tidied in Feb then keep fingers crossed.
New normal means I'm not using a car very much these days, and I doubt I'll ever had the pattern I had pre baby.
Got a Q5 to replace the other half's Mini, which is our family wagon. Its excellent.
M3 is now totally redundant so will probably get rid when the warranty ends in the summer.
996 may become my primary transport, then I'll get an Up GTi or something cheap for station runs and if I need to carry a bike. New Defender 90 appealing too.
I'm a single Dad and my child can walk, talk and even make jokes now. I mention this because it means said child can get in and out of the car themselves. That makes children much less of a concern other than the quantity of humans you might carry in a vehicle.
Obviously stuff adds up also which is why I still have a larger estate car but its starting to feel less useful. I can manage with not much boot space and I would probably get rid of the estate rather than one of the Porsches. I was thinking about a roof rack for the 996 because then would I be able to honesty say I dont need the estate car anymore?
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