ANOTHER 996 engine failure

[nylewis]

I had been having a loud tapping, sounds like drivers side, coming from my engine. It's in perfect sync with 1 cylinder so I really thought a lifter went bad. I took it to a garage that races Porsches and is well known to have them swap out the lifters. When they drained the oil, it was full of aluminum. An oil change was done less than 100 miles ago. They said they believe the balance shaft broke and basically I'm shafted and need a new engine. The thing I questioned is the tapping is in perfect sync with 1 cylinder and no CEL light. Not having the $$$ anytime soon, its just not an option. It's a 99 C4 nightmare. Has anyone had any recent quotes on remanufactured engines? I keep on hearing the prices went up. Prob due to all the engines blowing up. I can't believe Porsche just ignores such a problem and there isn't a class action suit yet. After my 91 c2 having the valve guide problem, my Boxster ticking time bomb, and now a 996 blowing up and being driven so lightly, this will be my last Porsche. That's 3 generations of cars with MAJOR engine problems. And I heard the 993's weren't good either. I think Porsche should have "engine replacement" at the 50K service interval as standard practice.

[philhan]

I had been having a loud tapping, sounds like drivers side, coming from my engine. It's in perfect sync with 1 cylinder so I really thought a lifter went bad. I took it to a garage that races Porsches and is well known to have them swap out the lifters. When they drained the oil, it was full of aluminum. An oil change was done less than 100 miles ago. They said they believe the balance shaft broke and basically I'm shafted and need a new engine. The thing I questioned is the tapping is in perfect sync with 1 cylinder and no CEL light. Not having the $$$ anytime soon, its just not an option. It's a 99 C4 nightmare. Has anyone had any recent quotes on remanufactured engines? I keep on hearing the prices went up. Prob due to all the engines blowing up. I can't believe Porsche just ignores such a problem and there isn't a class action suit yet. After my 91 c2 having the valve guide problem, my Boxster ticking time bomb, and now a 996 blowing up and being driven so lightly, this will be my last Porsche. That's 3 generations of cars with MAJOR engine problems. And I heard the 993's weren't good either. I think Porsche should have "engine replacement" at the 50K service interval as standard practice.

sorry to hear...how many miles on the engine?

[nylewis]

74K, not exactly "high" mileage for a car 8 years old. Plus its an auto so how much can it be beat on? If anyone is looking into a class action suit, I'm in. This is just retarded so many engines fail.

[bhussung]

Don't give up yet... Did you buy it from a dealer? If so, call the service department there... They may be able to work out a deal to cover some or all of the replacement.. If you bought it from a private party, talk to the dealer it was originally purchased from. It can sometimes be a long shot, but definitely worth the time.

[denisoreilly]

I'm sorry to hear your troubles, mind me asking have you had coolant replaced previously, and if so was it indy or opc?

Did you buy any from Porsche?

Jesus man 3 blown porsches? who can blame you for being pi**ed....

[CosmosC4S]

I'm sorry to hear that, hope it works out all right for you.

Porsches are just highly unreliable, period, there's no question.

And from all the stories that I've heard, Porsche is just arrogant and sucks in customer service

or when it comes to standing behind their product.

I've been lucky so far, 80k miles and still going rock solid.

But I fear the day that it happens to me......

[nylewis]

I had the car for over 1 year and never replaced the coolant. I dont know what the previous owner did. I did an oil change every 6 months even with only putting 4-5K on the car. If I get enough people, I'll forward the info to a firm and see what they say. Maybe a class action suit can be started. (see other topic)

[Reborn996]

Well guys, just got the news....

48 hours after getting my "new" Porsche 911 home it had to go back to the shop.... engine failed! Looks like tons of metal shavings in my oil with a loud knock to go with it. Multiple misfire codes and it would not hold idle. We think the intermediate shaft bearing failed...

Anyways, it was a 1999 911 C2 with 74k on it. Seems a shame this would happen to me as a new owner but I still love the car and will now look into getting a new motor for it. Will update you guys once I am back on the road.

David

P.S. Is it worth trying to contact PCNA to get some help on the replacement motor costs on a private party purchased used Porsche or is that just wishful thinking?

I had the car for over 1 year and never replaced the coolant. I dont know what the previous owner did. I did an oil change every 6 months even with only putting 4-5K on the car. If I get enough people, I'll forward the info to a firm and see what they say. Maybe a class action suit can be started. (see other topic)

Edited March 23, 2007 by Reborn996