Time for a new engine?

[iflyjets4u]

Went down to the tire store the other day in my '99 996 for a nice new set of Michelin Pilot Sports. Afterwards, as I was pulling into the garage at home I was greeted by a sound that was very similar to a bunch of bolts rattling around in a coffee can at about the same speed as my engine. Not good. Car has always run well, never tracked, lots of care and only 66,000 miles.

Went to the local (good) independent Porsche repair shop and was told it was a bad throw-out bearing. Breathed a sigh of relief. Said OK, fix it plus a new disk and pressure plate, release arm, etc. Then they called me the next day and said that, OOPS, it wasn't the clutch after all, motor still making the same noise. Plus there's a fair amount metal in the oil. Not good, since I just changed the oil less than 100 miles before this happened. They took the polyrib belt off, ran it without the tranny installed, same noise. So basically, whatever is making the noise in inside the cases.

So, this is all new to me, they said that the best thing to do is yank the engine out and put in a new one! Now that's some in-depth trouble-shooting...

Checked around and found out that most of the time, it is cheaper to install a new 0-mile/time engine than do the rebuild.

Tomorrow's the big day, they're going to drop the bottom covers off and see if there's anything obvious, if not, they only alternative is the new engine.

So, what do you think? Also, do you think I should have to pay for the mis-diagnosis as well.

[viper501]

Good luck man. The shop might be nice and cut the labor from the clutch deal, or at least give you a break on it. The easiest and least expensive solution in the U.S. is definitely doing a 'new' engine from Porsche. Make sure that the two year warranty is applicable for non-dealer installed engines. Good thing about the 'new' engines from Porsche is that they have a number of updates.

[iflyjets4u]

Got an estimate today, for a "new" engine, $9,305 plus tax and $1,344 to install plus fluids and misc.

Loren, if you have time, what do you think?

[Loren]

Where is the engine from?

Factory rebuilt? 3rd party?

What kind of warranty will they offer?

[Johnnyceesred]

Sorry to hear the bad news. I've just had a new engine installed in my 2003 C4S. See thread http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=11615 . I take it you're not covered by any extended warranty?

My final bill came to £11,171

Good luck

John

Edited February 27, 2007 by Johnnyceesred

[eastriver]

this is a somwhat common problem with 996 motor.

crankshaft gone back. according to someone else had the same problem before, motor sounds like a coins in the dryer....

new motor from porsche is the best way to go, at least, in US. i just heard PCNA increased the price on rebuilded motor dramaticlly. is it true?

where u get your new motor from? thanks

[iflyjets4u]

The price of $9,305 plus tax and $1,344 to install is for a remanufactured Porsche engine, which I understand comes with a 24 month warranty.

The shop that is quoting the price is offering a 24 month no maximum miles guarantee.

Got a price from the dealer today. With Porsche Club discount the motor is $8,831 plus tax and $1,700 for installation. After comparing the two, it looks as if the total costs come out nearly the same.

Probably should go with the Dealer...

Any thoughts?

[eastriver]

The price of $9,305 plus tax and $1,344 to install is for a remanufactured Porsche engine, which I understand comes with a 24 month warranty.

The shop that is quoting the price is offering a 24 month no maximum miles guarantee.

Got a price from the dealer today. With Porsche Club discount the motor is $8,831 plus tax and $1,700 for installation. After comparing the two, it looks as if the total costs come out nearly the same.

Probably should go with the Dealer...

Any thoughts?

i would go the dealer. since 2 yr/parts & service warranty is from porsche and it's good at any porsche dealer.

[denisoreilly]

Personally I would go with the dealer, might be better to be a good customer of the dealer in the unfortunate event of more trouble in the future, than be a customer of the independant, but thats just my opinion, you asked.

Some of the issues with engine failures are attributed to independant servicing, not all of course, but some cars have had coolant replaced outside the official network, this can lead to coolant not getting to some parts of the engine, in turn leaving airlocks, and in turn leading to over heating in areas, in turn leading to some of the cracks. Some I say. But for sure the original issue is obviously the metal used. Some go bang some dont. The official network has very specific guides and also specific equipment to insert coolant under pressure so it gets to all parts of the engine.

I have heard the figure is about 5% of cars have had failures, mostly up to August 99 build dates, as Porsche then installed an X-ray machine on the engine production line drastically reducing the number of failures on engines after this date, some got through, but then coolant replacement issues change things later in life. And of course forums get a majority of these engine failure posts because people come here when they have problems.

I feel your pain my friend and anyone else on here with a problem like this.

[iflyjets4u]

Well, the car goes to the dealer today for the engine replacement. Thanks to all for their comments.

After all, its only money......

[demosan]

Well, the car goes to the dealer today for the engine replacement. Thanks to all for their comments.

After all, its only money......

Sorry to hear of your engine problems. Curious as to how long it will take the dealer to get the remanufactured motor from PCNA and get it installed?? Which dealer are you using as I am in Sd as well and curious as to who you use as I have had my P-car only a few months and will be needing service soon.

Good luck with the replacement process!!

Demosan

[Cesarfl]

this is a somwhat common problem with 996 motor.

crankshaft gone back. according to someone else had the same problem before, motor sounds like a coins in the dryer....

new motor from porsche is the best way to go, at least, in US. i just heard PCNA increased the price on rebuilded motor dramaticlly. is it true?

where u get your new motor from? thanks

I have the coins noise coming from the transmission area for quite sometime now, maybe about 5 months, it's that the sound you are talking about.

[eastriver]

this is a somwhat common problem with 996 motor.

crankshaft gone back. according to someone else had the same problem before, motor sounds like a coins in the dryer....

new motor from porsche is the best way to go, at least, in US. i just heard PCNA increased the price on rebuilded motor dramaticlly. is it true?

where u get your new motor from? thanks

I have the coins noise coming from the transmission area for quite sometime now, maybe about 5 months, it's that the sound you are talking about.

sorry i don't have a first hand exp. with this.

but if you search "crankshaft" you would find a few posts talking about this problem.

[iflyjets4u]

this is a somwhat common problem with 996 motor.

crankshaft gone back. according to someone else had the same problem before, motor sounds like a coins in the dryer....

new motor from porsche is the best way to go, at least, in US. i just heard PCNA increased the price on rebuilded motor dramaticlly. is it true?

where u get your new motor from? thanks

I have the coins noise coming from the transmission area for quite sometime now, maybe about 5 months, it's that the sound you are talking about.

That sounds similar. Have you checked for metal in the oil? Whatever mine was, looking back, I think I was hearing the sound intermittantly before the big kaboom.