996 age related issues to look out for

[W1TAK]

Im picking up a GT2 next week which will have had a major service and check over by a Porsche specialist, but it got me wondering as the car is just 12 years old, what age related areas should i keep an eye on from now on, are there specific weak parts that fail with age on the 996 in general or GT2/turbo? Any preventative maintenance recommended?

Mileage is on 46k and its having a new clutch/flywheel, so thats sorted.

Any other experience to share?

[mr pg]

Front condensors, turbo actuators, turbo tinware. Geo is important, worth getting setup by someone who knows GT2's.

[NNH]

Regularly cleaning out the radiators to prevent corrosion damage. Front bushes seem to have a 60k life. Window regulators aren't the most robust. If you're as clumsy as me, then centre console hinges have a pretty short life too.

[Xpuffin]

Turbo generic, heat shields and rusty actuators.
Gt2 specific, engine and underbody waxoyle ( mileage dependant needs doing every year due to the reduced amount of underseal.

You specific for the drive home.
Make sure you have all the required legal bits and bobs for the countries you are travelling through, check the jack and wheel kit is there and the compressor works. Have a new can of tyreweld with you.
Get Tom to show you how to remove the front splitter for the ferry/ tunnel.

Edited by Xpuffin on Wednesday 4th June 08:46

[PTT]

In Germany you now need to have a high visibility jacket in your car.

[unclepezza]

No jack or spare wheel in the GT2 :-) so make sure tyre sealant is in date. Handy to get a Porsche alloy jack though for when you want to take the wheels off etc.

Biggest check will be ceramics if fitted, if 911V car you should be good as these will have been looked at.

Check door striker units, early cars could suffer from corrosion.

Edited by unclepezza on Wednesday 4th June 09:15

[Xpuffin]

unclepezza said:

No jack in the GT2 :-)

Doh!






I knew that

Edited by Xpuffin on Wednesday 4th June 09:49

[unclepezza]

Xpuffin said:

Doh!


I knew that



You have been forgiven!

Edited by Xpuffin on Wednesday 4th June 09:49

[Homer J]

Turbo's and sheilds / Rad's have all been mentioned to death.

Brake caliper strip and overhaul, if you can't find any evidence in invoices.

Then going on my own experience of a bit of rolling restoration, water / hydraulic hoses (Steering and brakes) and alu tubing will have seen there finest days many moons ago. The aluminium lines that run down the centre of the car switch to rubber hoses as they rise over the steering rack....This area could do with looking at.

I had leaks there last year from both the rubber and the aluminium.

"While your at it" I had my steering rack removed, stripped and overhauled. It did make a difference as well which I was surprised at. Also drive shafts, I had the rubber gaiters removed, then new gaiters installed, filled with new grease.

To be honest, the list is long. It's just how far you want to go and how picky are you?

[fredt]

Sounds like an awful lot of things to potentially go wrong. Only hardship can come from going through with this.


I reckon you should save yourself the hassle and let me buy the thing.

[Tom 911V]

fredt said:

Sounds like an awful lot of things to potentially go wrong. Only hardship can come from going through with this.


I reckon you should save yourself the hassle and let me buy the thing.

Nice one Fred !!

Haven't forgotten about you. Will let you know when we come across similar.

Cheers
Tom 911V

[Rockster]

W1TAK said:

Im picking up a GT2 next week which will have had a major service and check over by a Porsche specialist, but it got me wondering as the car is just 12 years old, what age related areas should i keep an eye on from now on, are there specific weak parts that fail with age on the 996 in general or GT2/turbo? Any preventative maintenance recommended?

Mileage is on 46k and its having a new clutch/flywheel, so thats sorted.

Any other experience to share?

Generally, age related problems arise from seals shrinking. IOWs, leaks. RMS is a common leak point. But anywhere there is a seal, gasket, or fitting, this can be a source of a leak.

BTW, if it is not too late you might want to consult with your tech about replacing the RMS while you are there doing the clutch.

Anyhow, keep an eye on the RMS area, to be sure, but really keep an eye on the entire engine.

While you are under the car with a bright flash light check the water pump for any sign of anti-freeze residue. Check the camshaft covers for any leak sign. Axle flange seals. CV boots for cracks/splits.

In short check everywhere you can see from under the car for leak sign.

Wherever a coolant hose connects to a fitting check the bottom of the hose for any signs of weakness. While hoses are rather long lived -- the ones on my 02 Boxster are factory and just fine and the same goes for my 03 Turbo and its hoses -- lightly used cars can be harder on the hoses. I like to change the coolant every 4 to 6 years.

Check the steering rack for any signs of fluid leaks.

Be sur you check vital fluid levels regularly. This includes of course the oil, but the coolant and the power steering and brake fluids. Remember the brake fluid should be flushed/bled every 2 years.

As others have offered, be sure to keep the radiator ducts free of trash.

Keep the body water drains clear too.

Coolant tank cap could leak, so you might want to replace the original one with a new one just to be proactive.

I like to make sure the car has a proper alignment.

Adhere to a regular schedule of oil/filter servicing and do not run the engine intake air filter or cabin filter too long. Unless you live in a dusty area you can change these on the schedule in the owners manual. Do not forget the gasoline filter too.

Plugs are due to be replaced on time if miles does not trigger their replacement.

Mind the tires do not get too old. 6 years is considered a tire's use by date.

[W1TAK]

Great advice, many thanks to all.

I will have a good look over the car when I get it back to CZ and sift through old invoices etc

For now I am not going to worry about anything other than safely navigating back home and will take with me a stubby screwdriver for the front lip !

I have some of the Euro specific items as I have another car here so will take them with me to be compliant.

I guess I should do something with the headlights as they will be set up for RHD, I will search online if there is a way to flick them to LHD.

Otherwise super excited - flying back to UK later today....pics to follow