Met another 996 owner with a blown engine.

I was visiting IBM customers in Seattle last week and one of the guys I met had a 2001 996 which was cool but the engine had just blown so not so cool. We exchanged sob stories and he's waiting to see if the extended warranty will pay for the engine. These blown engines are a major pain for 996 owners. I've no idea how prevalent they are but I personally know 3 owners of 996s whose engines died and given the cars aren't exactly common in Minnesota then that is pretty bad. If I buy one again then its a GT3 or Turbo for me as these seem to be the only models with motorsport derived engines and hence they are sorted out properly. The new 09 997 engines looks like it's getting a fair bit of testing and appears to have a real dry sump finally so thats cool. Maybe the engines in the 09 997s will be better. Who knows anyway, without statistics, I just may know the only 3 dead 996s around...

Comments

[scott hornsby]

The 996 3.6 liter engine is overall extremely reliable.Mine is coming up on 60,000 miles and was just dyno'ed at 278 wheel H.P.I've had a Evolution Cup intake and Cup chip and reflash done to the spec motor.My rear main seal has had no issues.All cars have there bad apples and you may have heard from folks who have not taken good care of their engines as well.Talk to any shop that had 996 Cup cars and races Porsches and they will tell you to change that Mobil 1 every 5,000 not 8 to 10 thousand miles.The GT3 and Turbo engines are more 993 watercooled variants.If you run them as intended and do a fair amount of tracking or hard driving they will need a rebuild fairly often.The 996 engine is designed to be replaced and it is a good bit less expensive to do than rebuild a 993 or GT3 Turbo engine.I've talked to the local shops and they have many customers approaching 150,000 to 200,000 on theirs.I track mine and even in hot summer[southern] weather the temps don't go much beyond 180F while on the track.
Talk to some owners of GT3's and Turbo's before you go blow all that extra money on one. Good Luck and all Porsches are race cars, Scott

[The Wildthing]

There are a few early 996 models that had their engines replaced because of a factory issue. Not sure if the three you mentioned belong in that category.

[Rich Wanket]

I am looking to buy a 2004 C4S and I was wondering if you have a perferred dealer for service, or a shop that you can recommend?

thanks,

Rich

[Rich Wanket]

Sorry, I am not that bright, and I forgot an important fact....where I live....Minneapolis.

Thanks,
Rich

[Joseph A. Gibbs]

Really good to hear some positive comments about the 996. I have had my eye on the '04 C4S for some time and seen some fine examples only to shy away from buying because of the engine issues.

[Scott]

I am looking for a 996 with a blown engine to purchase. Must have a manual tranny in good condition, but the engine does not even need to be in the car. If you know of any, call me at (702) 739-8011. Ask for Scott. I have cash if the price is right. Thanks!

[Andy Green]

Hi all 996 fans etc. Got a carrera4 and enjoying it very much. Now for the not so easy bit. All i seem to here from other bloggers is how weak the 996 engine is??.
It seem to evolve from the Scavenge pump issues and if so how do i check, all i get is if the oil pressure drops suddenly then thats it, new engine. Now scared to drive it... Is there a good book on how to rebuild the engine on these as i am a mechanic i would very much like to learn and save lots of money etc. ant one out there got any info and this would be very gratefull indead..
Andy GB.

[Porsche Servicing Guy]

I've worked on a few 996's in my time and I've never come across a blown motor. A terrible thing to happen to such a beautiful machine.