Guards Red 996
Discussion
Little update on the old girl, she went to my local mechanic yesterday to get a new passenger window regulator - so that's all fixed now! I also spent an hour last night on the driveway whipping off the wiper arms and tarting them up with some fresh black paint from the garage - only the best of course 
More expensively, I'm finally getting a new key now the weathers warm and the cars getting regular use. I got a quote of £375 for a new one cut and coded at Porsche Reading, so went in and booked it for this upcoming Wednesday. Resigned to the fact that my pants have been pulled down for a key, I've had a minor win as the confirmation email now states the jobs £260 all in! I do get a free wash and car health check out of it though so that's nice...place your bets on the outcome of the health check?
More expensively, I'm finally getting a new key now the weathers warm and the cars getting regular use. I got a quote of £375 for a new one cut and coded at Porsche Reading, so went in and booked it for this upcoming Wednesday. Resigned to the fact that my pants have been pulled down for a key, I've had a minor win as the confirmation email now states the jobs £260 all in! I do get a free wash and car health check out of it though so that's nice...place your bets on the outcome of the health check?
7 months later, finally bought a new key fob from Porsche Reading - £260 all in which wasn't bad actually! They did a health check while the car was in and came up with the front tyres getting low on the inside, and two oil leaks from the engine. I enquired about a full service, with plugs and fuel filter added - and it came out at a spectacular £1100. One is too poor for such expenses, the local specialist down the road offer the same for around £500 I believe.
20 year old fob vs a 1 month old fob...
This was followed by a celebratory cross country drive to the coast with SWMBO
All seems fine now, I've done about 4500 miles since the purchase in August last year which means it'll be oil change time soon. The oil leaks are located on the right cylinder bank, and the edge of the sump - not sure if these are typical spots, and how difficult (read: costly) to remedy?
20 year old fob vs a 1 month old fob...
This was followed by a celebratory cross country drive to the coast with SWMBO
All seems fine now, I've done about 4500 miles since the purchase in August last year which means it'll be oil change time soon. The oil leaks are located on the right cylinder bank, and the edge of the sump - not sure if these are typical spots, and how difficult (read: costly) to remedy?
More bits recently, the licence plate lights were fubar'd due to a combination of corroded bulb holders and some tired wiring. So off the rear bumper came, to replace the back end of the wiring loom and put in some new aftermarket clusters - and she's good again! I gave everything a clean while the bumper was off, and was relieved not to find any hidden surprises underneath...
Here's to one year with the car! I've covered about 6000 miles in a year since the purchase, had lots of fun and whilst it has at times been a pain - I love it to bits really.
To recap on what its needed over that year, for anyone interested -
Slave Cylinder - Free on warranty!
Water Pump & Thermostat - £250 fitted
Expansion Tank - £140 fitted
Window Regulator - £120 fitted
Replacement Key - £280 from the dealer
Licence plate light repair - £30
Service - £250
And based on 250 miles per £70 of fuel, about £1700 of fuel just going on fun drives...never work out that stat.
Moving forward, shes got a few oil leaks and is a bit rattly on start up - likely this is a lazy variocam solenoid, looks like its not a DIY job on that one. I've got a close friend who builds engines for a living, mostly aircooled Porsche stuff. We've sat down and looked at the idea of an engine refresh - its not cheap at about £5-6k at mates rates, but if I get the chance and various house/living/life bills don't get in the way it may happen. Otherwise, she is chugging on...
Nice little picture from a drive with some friends recently, in much newer (less leaky, less creaky...) metal!
To recap on what its needed over that year, for anyone interested -
Slave Cylinder - Free on warranty!
Water Pump & Thermostat - £250 fitted
Expansion Tank - £140 fitted
Window Regulator - £120 fitted
Replacement Key - £280 from the dealer
Licence plate light repair - £30
Service - £250
And based on 250 miles per £70 of fuel, about £1700 of fuel just going on fun drives...never work out that stat.
Moving forward, shes got a few oil leaks and is a bit rattly on start up - likely this is a lazy variocam solenoid, looks like its not a DIY job on that one. I've got a close friend who builds engines for a living, mostly aircooled Porsche stuff. We've sat down and looked at the idea of an engine refresh - its not cheap at about £5-6k at mates rates, but if I get the chance and various house/living/life bills don't get in the way it may happen. Otherwise, she is chugging on...
Nice little picture from a drive with some friends recently, in much newer (less leaky, less creaky...) metal!
CornedBeef said:
Here's to one year with the car! I've covered about 6000 miles in a year since the purchase, had lots of fun and whilst it has at times been a pain - I love it to bits really.
To recap on what its needed over that year, for anyone interested -
Slave Cylinder - Free on warranty!
Water Pump & Thermostat - £250 fitted
Expansion Tank - £140 fitted
Window Regulator - £120 fitted
Replacement Key - £280 from the dealer
Licence plate light repair - £30
Service - £250
And based on 250 miles per £70 of fuel, about £1700 of fuel just going on fun drives...never work out that stat.
Moving forward, shes got a few oil leaks and is a bit rattly on start up - likely this is a lazy variocam solenoid, looks like its not a DIY job on that one. I've got a close friend who builds engines for a living, mostly aircooled Porsche stuff. We've sat down and looked at the idea of an engine refresh - its not cheap at about £5-6k at mates rates, but if I get the chance and various house/living/life bills don't get in the way it may happen. Otherwise, she is chugging on...
Nice little picture from a drive with some friends recently, in much newer (less leaky, less creaky...) metal!
You want to be careful moving that far away from the car in Aldershot. Someone will have it. To recap on what its needed over that year, for anyone interested -
Slave Cylinder - Free on warranty!
Water Pump & Thermostat - £250 fitted
Expansion Tank - £140 fitted
Window Regulator - £120 fitted
Replacement Key - £280 from the dealer
Licence plate light repair - £30
Service - £250
And based on 250 miles per £70 of fuel, about £1700 of fuel just going on fun drives...never work out that stat.
Moving forward, shes got a few oil leaks and is a bit rattly on start up - likely this is a lazy variocam solenoid, looks like its not a DIY job on that one. I've got a close friend who builds engines for a living, mostly aircooled Porsche stuff. We've sat down and looked at the idea of an engine refresh - its not cheap at about £5-6k at mates rates, but if I get the chance and various house/living/life bills don't get in the way it may happen. Otherwise, she is chugging on...
Nice little picture from a drive with some friends recently, in much newer (less leaky, less creaky...) metal!
Nice car, enjoy!
Awesome car and great updates. 
I ran a similar car (black with red interior) for a few years and it hardly cost me anything (cradle to grave), and I enjoyed every minute of ownership (I had a 996 turbo before it, and it didn't feel too much like the poor relation)
Is the decklid/wing aftermarket? Couldn't see the original 'Mobil 1' stickers etc..
I ran a similar car (black with red interior) for a few years and it hardly cost me anything (cradle to grave), and I enjoyed every minute of ownership (I had a 996 turbo before it, and it didn't feel too much like the poor relation)
Is the decklid/wing aftermarket? Couldn't see the original 'Mobil 1' stickers etc..
CornedBeef said:
Here's to one year with the car! I've covered about 6000 miles in a year since the purchase, had lots of fun and whilst it has at times been a pain - I love it to bits really.
To recap on what its needed over that year, for anyone interested -
Slave Cylinder - Free on warranty!
Water Pump & Thermostat - £250 fitted
Expansion Tank - £140 fitted
Window Regulator - £120 fitted
Replacement Key - £280 from the dealer
Licence plate light repair - £30
Service - £250
And based on 250 miles per £70 of fuel, about £1700 of fuel just going on fun drives...never work out that stat.
Moving forward, shes got a few oil leaks and is a bit rattly on start up - likely this is a lazy variocam solenoid, looks like its not a DIY job on that one. I've got a close friend who builds engines for a living, mostly aircooled Porsche stuff. We've sat down and looked at the idea of an engine refresh - its not cheap at about £5-6k at mates rates, but if I get the chance and various house/living/life bills don't get in the way it may happen. Otherwise, she is chugging on...
Nice little picture from a drive with some friends recently, in much newer (less leaky, less creaky...) metal!
Having a mate with those skill’s i’d be biting his hand off to make solid the engine and potentially bore it out/add some go faster parts - the car would be good forever more then! To recap on what its needed over that year, for anyone interested -
Slave Cylinder - Free on warranty!
Water Pump & Thermostat - £250 fitted
Expansion Tank - £140 fitted
Window Regulator - £120 fitted
Replacement Key - £280 from the dealer
Licence plate light repair - £30
Service - £250
And based on 250 miles per £70 of fuel, about £1700 of fuel just going on fun drives...never work out that stat.
Moving forward, shes got a few oil leaks and is a bit rattly on start up - likely this is a lazy variocam solenoid, looks like its not a DIY job on that one. I've got a close friend who builds engines for a living, mostly aircooled Porsche stuff. We've sat down and looked at the idea of an engine refresh - its not cheap at about £5-6k at mates rates, but if I get the chance and various house/living/life bills don't get in the way it may happen. Otherwise, she is chugging on...
Nice little picture from a drive with some friends recently, in much newer (less leaky, less creaky...) metal!
Glad to see your still enjoying the car since you got it and it echo’s my experience too often painful on the wallet but overall a great experience. For a sense of occasion NOTHING comes close for the money these are
monthefish said:
Awesome car and great updates.
I ran a similar car (black with red interior) for a few years and it hardly cost me anything (cradle to grave), and I enjoyed every minute of ownership (I had a 996 turbo before it, and it didn't feel too much like the poor relation)
Is the decklid/wing aftermarket? Couldn't see the original 'Mobil 1' stickers etc..
Yeah as far as I know its all oem factory fit parts! The option codes are all there on the vin plate and the decklids got Porsche part number stamps on it. Interesting with the stickers - would they be on the inside then?I ran a similar car (black with red interior) for a few years and it hardly cost me anything (cradle to grave), and I enjoyed every minute of ownership (I had a 996 turbo before it, and it didn't feel too much like the poor relation)
Is the decklid/wing aftermarket? Couldn't see the original 'Mobil 1' stickers etc..
Little update on this, it's going into a garage on Monday for a new oil cooler & air/oil separator! Also due a new set of rear tyres soon, and then that's probably enough expenditure before Christmas hits...
Other than that I've been using it where I can, and getting the drives in before the roads get really salty! She's holding up well, but has developed a few oil leaks from the cam covers and one from possibly the RMS - all very standard 996 ownership points! The RMS will get a look in when the oil coolers done, as the gearbox has to come off for that anyway - and the cam cover leaks may be the spark plug tubes which is a DIY job. Plus I think the aux belt is squealing now the weathers gotten cold...Still love it, despite its current mechanical moaning haha!
The girlfriends also recently purchased an MR2, which was never on my radar before - and I now love to bits, such a fun little go kart of a car.
Other than that I've been using it where I can, and getting the drives in before the roads get really salty! She's holding up well, but has developed a few oil leaks from the cam covers and one from possibly the RMS - all very standard 996 ownership points! The RMS will get a look in when the oil coolers done, as the gearbox has to come off for that anyway - and the cam cover leaks may be the spark plug tubes which is a DIY job. Plus I think the aux belt is squealing now the weathers gotten cold...Still love it, despite its current mechanical moaning haha!
The girlfriends also recently purchased an MR2, which was never on my radar before - and I now love to bits, such a fun little go kart of a car.
So an exciting day yesterday - dropped the car in to AMS Performance near St Albans, can't recommend them enough. The plan was to drop the gearbox off to replace the oil cooler & AOS (also known as a PCV valve). That didn't go quite to plan, as the oil cooler bolts had already been rounded by someone previously 
So the guys ended up dropping the engine at that point (at no extra cost thankfully), as the coolant and oil had already been removed as part of the job. Cue picture -
While that was off, the old oil cooler was removed & pressure tested - it failed the test and was duly replaced. The AOS was replaced, and a few other minor tasks were addressed with the engine off. Everything was then buttoned back up, re-filled with fluids and given the thumbs up. While it was on the ramp, they addressed a missing bolt on the front ARB (no idea how that's been missed) which was replaced. I've also now got a minor shopping list, of two new engine mounts and a gearbox bolt.
So all in all a busy day for the car, it was dropped off at 8:30am and ready by 5pm! I'm happy as larry, and its running very nicely now with fresh fluids and parts. I was mildly nervous driving it 60 miles home after having the engine dropped that very day but it was fine, I did wonder if I'd be calling the AA halfway round the M25 at rush hour
Manky old oil cooler -
Shiny new oil cooler -
So the guys ended up dropping the engine at that point (at no extra cost thankfully), as the coolant and oil had already been removed as part of the job. Cue picture - While that was off, the old oil cooler was removed & pressure tested - it failed the test and was duly replaced. The AOS was replaced, and a few other minor tasks were addressed with the engine off. Everything was then buttoned back up, re-filled with fluids and given the thumbs up. While it was on the ramp, they addressed a missing bolt on the front ARB (no idea how that's been missed) which was replaced. I've also now got a minor shopping list, of two new engine mounts and a gearbox bolt.
So all in all a busy day for the car, it was dropped off at 8:30am and ready by 5pm! I'm happy as larry, and its running very nicely now with fresh fluids and parts. I was mildly nervous driving it 60 miles home after having the engine dropped that very day but it was fine, I did wonder if I'd be calling the AA halfway round the M25 at rush hour
Manky old oil cooler -
Shiny new oil cooler -
A bit more tinkering on the old girl over the break, I find it thoroughly satisfying cleaning the underside/behind panels which is a bit sad! The front wheels were off to clear up the front arches, and underseal everything in there as I've already done on the rear arches. I also found a bit of rust forming behind the drivers side headlight, it transpires there is a tear in the front arch liner which causes this area to get all of the road spray. I cleared up the area, treated the rust and treated it to some underseal but I need to fix that liner!
Another discovery was the scuttle tray filling with water, the bungs had blocked up. These were dutifully cleared, the area cleaned/dried and the battery tray given some paint as it had started going a bit crusty.
Pictures at random, it's not my forte to document befores & afters - either one or the other it seems. On a much more exciting note, there are tentative talks of a return to the Nürburgring for my 30th this year which I'm really trying to make happen - slightly tentative about heavy track use on my engine though, it's all original internals and on 118k now. Some schools of thought on the web tell me it needs new bearings, timing pads etc etc - others tell me it'll be reet and just to plough on for many miles yet.
Clean and sealed front arch
Cleaned and sealed wheel(s)
And a partially drained scuttle panel - annoyed I didn't get an after picture of this because it satisfies the OCD...
Another discovery was the scuttle tray filling with water, the bungs had blocked up. These were dutifully cleared, the area cleaned/dried and the battery tray given some paint as it had started going a bit crusty.
Pictures at random, it's not my forte to document befores & afters - either one or the other it seems. On a much more exciting note, there are tentative talks of a return to the Nürburgring for my 30th this year which I'm really trying to make happen - slightly tentative about heavy track use on my engine though, it's all original internals and on 118k now. Some schools of thought on the web tell me it needs new bearings, timing pads etc etc - others tell me it'll be reet and just to plough on for many miles yet.
Clean and sealed front arch
Cleaned and sealed wheel(s)
And a partially drained scuttle panel - annoyed I didn't get an after picture of this because it satisfies the OCD...
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