New owner 1998 996 - few questions

[Black VXR]

Just picked up a 44k miles manual 1998 996 Carrera which seems to be a good clean car, I have bought the car for my wife to use as her daily driver although I am sure we will both enjoy driving it.

I have a few little things to sort out and wondered if anyone can advise me please?

Both sides sun visors (mirror covers) drop down - seems a clip or catch may be broken - is it best to invent/fabricate a fix or are parts available to sort this properly please
Passengers seat back wont unlatch forward (lever loose so I guess the cable has broken or come adrift) is this a home fix or a trip to a trimmer
Slight smell of anti freeze (just had new header tank fitted last week) may be the residual left from the previous leak I can smell - its getting less and less each day - only smells when hot - no sign of leak and the level in the header tank hasn't changed
There was no drivers handbook with the car - are these available (from where) or is their a PDF download I can take a look at

I am guessing to keep these cars running well its a matter of frequent oil changes and specialist care and a proper warm up before driving them too hard. What should I watch out for please?

Thanks

[MontyC]

Black VXR said:

Just picked up a 44k miles manual 1998 996 Carrera which seems to be a good clean car, I have bought the car for my wife to use as her daily driver although I am sure we will both enjoy driving it.

I have a few little things to sort out and wondered if anyone can advise me please?

Both sides sun visors (mirror covers) drop down - seems a clip or catch may be broken - is it best to invent/fabricate a fix or are parts available to sort this properly please
Passengers seat back wont unlatch forward (lever loose so I guess the cable has broken or come adrift) is this a home fix or a trip to a trimmer
Slight smell of anti freeze (just had new header tank fitted last week) may be the residual left from the previous leak I can smell - its getting less and less each day - only smells when hot - no sign of leak and the level in the header tank hasn't changed
There was no drivers handbook with the car - are these available (from where) or is their a PDF download I can take a look at

I am guessing to keep these cars running well its a matter of frequent oil changes and specialist care and a proper warm up before driving them too hard. What should I watch out for please?

Thanks

Try pulling the levers on both sides of the seat at the same time worked on mine, also when they replaced header tank did they flush out the old coolant and bleed the system or just top up antifreeze, your car has very low miles for age do you have service history?

[Black VXR]

Thanks Monty, lifting both handles has sorted out the seat back tilting problem - you are a star!

Full replacement of Anti Freeze - system drained by a Porsche specialist

Yeah, all service history and checked hours in the ECU

Edited by Black VXR on Monday 15th December 13:41

[MontyC]

Black VXR said:

Thanks Monty, lifting both handles has sorted out the seat back tilting problem - you are a star!

Full replacement of Anti Freeze - system drained by a Porsche specialist

Yeah, all service history and checked hours in the ECU

Edited by Black VXR on Monday 15th December 13:41

Thats ok happy to help and sounds a good car, also what colour are your sun visors as I have some Tan ones in stock?

[Trev450]

Handbooks sometimes come up on fleabay so worth a look.

I go for an annual oil and filter change and use a 5w/40 fully synthetic. Keep an eye open for oil leaks (could be rear main seal) and any signs of blue smoke and/or oil consumption. Otherwise, warm it up well and drive it as it was intended.

[jayemm89]

Black VXR said:

Both sides sun visors (mirror covers) drop down - seems a clip or catch may be broken - is it best to invent/fabricate a fix or are parts available to sort this properly please

Very common issue - easiest fix is a complete replacement mirror - just make sure you get the right one as they were available with and without a light.