993 top end rebuild

[993Fan]

What are the signs that a top end rebuild is on the way (993 na) and what sort of mileage do these engines go for before they get to that point?

Is the varioram engine any different in this respect?

[kitesurfer2]

Mine has done 139000, no problems at all.

[Bill Stein]

993Fan said:

What are the signs that a top end rebuild is on the way (993 na) and what sort of mileage do these engines go for before they get to that point?

Is the varioram engine any different in this respect?

What signs do you have that make you think you need a rebuild ? Tell us some more about the car, miles, service histort and any running issues.

[993Fan]

Sorry should have made it clear in my original post... I am currently looking for a 993 and have been looking at some quite high mile examples (125k+).

Having been through a few buying guides I have an idea what to look out for in terms of general condition but I just wonder what sort of mileage these cars get to before a top end is needed and what the major signs are.

I have seen a car that is at almost 130k miles but has been well maintained with evidence of clutch, dampers, steering rack refurb, control arms, dampers and some other common bits having been done during the current (5 year) ownership. I just wonder however how long these engines really go for before major top end work is usually needed.

[Orangecurry]

Opinions will of course vary, but the 993 tends not to need any engine work. Obviously you'll get the comments of 'most of them are low mileage garage queens, so how do you know' but on 911uk there are three or four owners with high mileage cars. Ask them.

[BertBert]

I'd say you'd be looking for standard top end symptoms.

Poor compressions (do a leak down)
Oily - smokey on acceleration or overrun, high oil usage
Noisy timing gear - chains, followers
Oil leaks
Piston slap

Followed a black IB 911 on the M40 last week. Very smelly of oil smoke. Needed wome work.

Bert

[thegoose]

125,000 or 130,000 miles is not much for a 14-18 year old car (although it may be on the high side compared to whatever average is for the model) and it's generally regarded as the toughest engine Porsche have made. From having lots of 993s inspected I've had a front main seal leak needing rectification and tappets needing replacement but that's about it, neither of which are show-stoppers (although you may want to take the rectification cost into account). The tappet covers can warp (causing leaks) and need replacement but routine enough to do, although genuine plastic covers are quite dear - billet aluminium ones can be bought from the USA for less.

Whatever you get, have a knowledgeable specialist inspect it for you (inc a cylinder leakage test maybe).