Porsche master technician advice on problem engines!
Discussion
A lad I know works for PCT Porsche who took over Autobahn. He's been working on Porsches for several years. He reckons that he has never seen any 996 with rms/ims issues after 80k miles, and reckons if they are going to go they generally go between 50 and 80k miles.
His advice to a friend who recently bought a 996 was only get one with over 80k! He reckons this is generally backed up by most experts.
His job gives this some credibility. So, any comments?
His advice to a friend who recently bought a 996 was only get one with over 80k! He reckons this is generally backed up by most experts.
His job gives this some credibility. So, any comments?
Mine has covered about 92,000 miles, I bought one with higher mileage as I had also heard the theory you discribed.
Removed the engine recently and the rms was dry, there was oil weeping from the ims so guess that's on it's way out, however I pulled the engine because it had partially seized with scored bores.
Removed the engine recently and the rms was dry, there was oil weeping from the ims so guess that's on it's way out, however I pulled the engine because it had partially seized with scored bores.
sulli said:
A lad I know works for PCT Porsche who took over Autobahn. He's been working on Porsches for several years. He reckons that he has never seen any 996 with rms/ims issues after 80k miles, and reckons if they are going to go they generally go between 50 and 80k miles.
His advice to a friend who recently bought a 996 was only get one with over 80k! He reckons this is generally backed up by most experts.
His job gives this some credibility. So, any comments?
There have been enough posts from owners whose cars have suffered from an IMS failure and with over 80K miles (I recall some were over the 100K mile mark) to convince me while the risk might be lower the higher the miles the risk doesn't go away entirely at some point. 1 mile, 10000 miles, 100,000 miles, even 1,000,000 miles the risk is there.His advice to a friend who recently bought a 996 was only get one with over 80k! He reckons this is generally backed up by most experts.
His job gives this some credibility. So, any comments?
As for RMS leaks.. my 03 Turbo appears to have developed an RMS leak at over 104K miles. I'll go out and speak to the car and tell it its RMS should not be leaking at that high of miles. I hope it listens otherwise I am looking at a $1500 (roughly) repair bill to address the RMS leak.
Flipping heck, I am only citing a Porsche master tech, not claiming to state a fact!
I thought it could be that some cars have an inherent weakness that others don't, and generally if they do it will show up within a certain amount of miles, and once past that it would indicate that it's not got that inherent weakness/weak part.
I thought it could be that some cars have an inherent weakness that others don't, and generally if they do it will show up within a certain amount of miles, and once past that it would indicate that it's not got that inherent weakness/weak part.
sulli said:
Flipping heck, I am only citing a Porsche master tech, not claiming to state a fact!
I thought it could be that some cars have an inherent weakness that others don't, and generally if they do it will show up within a certain amount of miles, and once past that it would indicate that it's not got that inherent weakness/weak part.
I know what you are saying, just taking the mick.I thought it could be that some cars have an inherent weakness that others don't, and generally if they do it will show up within a certain amount of miles, and once past that it would indicate that it's not got that inherent weakness/weak part.
Thing is, they are design flaws, it's not like some have it and some don't. Of course, some last longer than others dependant on a multitude of factors.
For example, the sealed ims bearing goes dry of grease and eventually blows up. However, if the seal splits it lets oil in and lasts a bit longer, but not forever.
But the cylinder ovality and eventual cracking, due to the open deck design, is more complex.
It's alright Sulli, I know what you mean, or rather what the technician means. <group hug> 
It has been said a few times that if certain elements of the engine haven't gone wrong by mid to high miles, then they may well last the distance.
However, and it's a big however, those bloomin' M96 engines have so many design flaws that even if the above were definately true, which it isn't, there are other faults that take over and get worse at high miles, such as the already mentioned above, scored/oval bores.
Bottom line is, expect a rebuild and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't come to that, or if you're not happy with that risk, buy a Hartech fettled one.
Personally I would only own a rebuilt one and I tell any prospective buyers the same.
ETA - Damn it Moll! That's twice in two days. Must learn to type quicker.
It has been said a few times that if certain elements of the engine haven't gone wrong by mid to high miles, then they may well last the distance.
However, and it's a big however, those bloomin' M96 engines have so many design flaws that even if the above were definately true, which it isn't, there are other faults that take over and get worse at high miles, such as the already mentioned above, scored/oval bores.
Bottom line is, expect a rebuild and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't come to that, or if you're not happy with that risk, buy a Hartech fettled one.
Personally I would only own a rebuilt one and I tell any prospective buyers the same.
ETA - Damn it Moll! That's twice in two days. Must learn to type quicker.
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