996 Engine need re build
996 Engine need re build
Author
Discussion

ianwhitfield

Original Poster:

7 posts

166 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
I have a 996 52 plate on 46k miles and it has suffered the common Cylinder issues resulting in the need for a rebuild, which assuming I do all 6 cylinders is a significant cost to me. Temtped to off load the car to dealer who is aware of the issue, because if i spend the money I will never get it back. Any thoughts much appreciated!

lotus211

2,961 posts

214 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
ianwhitfield said:
I have a 996 52 plate on 46k miles and it has suffered the common Cylinder issues resulting in the need for a rebuild, which assuming I do all 6 cylinders is a significant cost to me. Temtped to off load the car to dealer who is aware of the issue, because if i spend the money I will never get it back. Any thoughts much appreciated!
How much is a rebuild? Im assumimng the car is worth circa 16K maybe just north of that ( i could be wrong)

ianwhitfield

Original Poster:

7 posts

166 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
The complete re build is ~7k I am told by the specialist the car is worth ~20k because it is a C4s

lotus211

2,961 posts

214 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
ianwhitfield said:
The complete re build is ~7k I am told by the specialist the car is worth ~20k because it is a C4s
Ah you didnt say it was a 4S so yes valuation is right id say depending on color/spec etc. So assume a dealer will give you 13-14 in its current state what do you replace it with? If its been your car for some time and given its only done 46k miles Id be inclined to have it done and keep it. EVen if in 2yrs you decided to sell it youy may recoup 50% of the rebuild costs as it'll appeal to some that its been done. Unless of course you are thinking of a change anyhow

ianwhitfield

Original Poster:

7 posts

166 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for you input, I appreciate your view, I have only had one offer but it was mid 12k's, this only happened yesterday so still feeling a bit sick;-)

Mitch911

229 posts

198 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Feel for you Ian, I had a similar issue on my 996 a few years ago.

If you want to keep the car for a few years, I would go ahead and rebuild it. 996s are cheap because of these issues; if you rebuild it with upgraded IMS (is that a C4S issue too, not sure?) and cylinder liners, you have a fantastic car for years.

On other hand, if you think you might sell it, be warned (from experience) that the rebuild could end up costing significantly more than 7k and you will not get full value for it when selling. If its not a keeper, that offer looks an attractive hassle free exit.

lotus211

2,961 posts

214 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Reading this makes me wonder if its something that could possibly occur on my 996 RS

ianwhitfield

Original Poster:

7 posts

166 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
I gather it's a fault on late 996 and early 997's

ianwhitfield

Original Poster:

7 posts

166 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Thanks Mitch

petop

2,381 posts

195 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Its a fault on the 996's both 3.4 and 3.6 but more so on the 3.6's. My IMS failed and it went into Porsche Guildford for new engine in 2012, total cost near as dammit 15k. But now i have a more "reliable" (nothing ever is!) car and dont worry every time i turn the key.
If you can speak to Hartech, they will help.

Mitch911

229 posts

198 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
lotus211 said:
Reading this makes me wonder if its something that could possibly occur on my 996 RS
You should be clear of the cylinder liner problem - not a Mezger issue as I understand it.

Shurv

1,024 posts

189 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Speak to Hartech in Bolton, they will talk you through the options,they are the undoubted oracle's on M96/7 engines. If my 996 C4S develops engine issues, that's where it'll go. My take on it is ,that if anything happens, I'll get Hartech to repair and future proof it,I'll then have a car I can keep for ever. Selling it with a knackered engine is likely to get you the absolute lowest offer,as the purchaser will take it to Hartech.............and have an amazing car for not much money.

Billsnemesis

817 posts

266 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Is it true that Hartech rebuilds are getting a premium over untouched cars directly as a result of this problem?

foreverme

569 posts

207 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Billsnemesis said:
Is it true that Hartech rebuilds are getting a premium over untouched cars directly as a result of this problem?
Yes because the internet says so wink.....

Most buyers of these cars would have no idea who Hartech are or even the problems with the chocolate engines...

DanoS4

869 posts

223 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Sorry to hear about your issue.
Mine's currently in the same position: rebuild at Hartech.

The way I've justified it to myself is that I'm going to be keeping the car anyway.

As for the Hartech/internet "myth"..... Most people who are in the market for a 996/997 now know of the issues (or some of them).
The Hartech aspect is a premium worth paying for. Just look in the classifieds for Hartech-rebuilt cars. Not many about, and when they are, they don't hang around long.
As for how much it adds, not sure if any. But it certainly assists in the sale.

Dan

oldnbold

1,280 posts

175 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all
Having read many posts about these engines when I was deciding which 911 to buy, it would seem that Hartech are indeed the people to talk to.

They have actually designed a solution to the ims/rms issue, and are generally considerably cheaper than a rebuild at an OPC. As noted above engines that have a Hartech rebuild are generally worth more than standard cars.

lotus211

2,961 posts

214 months

Tuesday 8th October 2013
quotequote all

Mitch911 said:
You should be clear of the cylinder liner problem - not a Mezger issue as I understand it.
ah yes tks

ianwhitfield

Original Poster:

7 posts

166 months

Wednesday 9th October 2013
quotequote all
Have Porsche never taken any responsibility for the cylinder fault, as it is clearly a fault on the 911 over a couple of years. The fact that is common is born out by the fact that my warranty clear exempts the fault from the cover.

Budweiser

1,110 posts

213 months

Wednesday 9th October 2013
quotequote all
ianwhitfield said:
Have Porsche never taken any responsibility for the cylinder fault, as it is clearly a fault on the 911 over a couple of years. The fact that is common is born out by the fact that my warranty clear exempts the fault from the cover.
Sorry to hear of the issues you have.

If you go to the Hartech site you will find lots of interesting help and advice. Also do a search on this site, 911.uk and the Rennlist site in the US. Again lots of interesting reading to be had and it will help you understand all the facts regarding this and the IMS problems.

If I was in your position I would have the work done at Hartech together with the IMS upgrade and enjoy the car. If its not a keeper for you then out it and move on.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do....

Zoin

128 posts

169 months

Wednesday 9th October 2013
quotequote all
Mitch911 said:
Feel for you Ian, I had a similar issue on my 996 a few years ago.

If you want to keep the car for a few years, I would go ahead and rebuild it. 996s are cheap because of these issues; if you rebuild it with upgraded IMS (is that a C4S issue too, not sure?) and cylinder liners, you have a fantastic car for years.

On other hand, if you think you might sell it, be warned (from experience) that the rebuild could end up costing significantly more than 7k and you will not get full value for it when selling. If its not a keeper, that offer looks an attractive hassle free exit.
My Hartech rebuild (on my 2002 C2) cost almost 9k but with their improved IMS, closed-deck conversion, low temp thermostat and simply knowing they've checked over everything after taking the engine apart, I now have confidence in the engine.

Can't imagine I'd get much of the investment back at resale but I'm just pleased to have a car I can enjoy for years to come. Spread over several years of future ownership, it doesn't seem quite so expensive.