996 engine exchange

[baronb55]

I own a 1999 Carrera and would like to know if this engine was ever replaced. I am the sixth owner of this vehicle and the documentation is very poor. Previous owners didn't even registered the engine seriaL number in the service manual. Does anyone know of any web site I can visit with my current VIN number and engine serial number to determine if this engine was ever exchanged?

[Loren]

If the engine has an "X" in the serial number then it is an exchange engine. If the engine was replaced with a new engine it would be very hard to tell.

You can always order a Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche (through PCA) that will give you the factory build information.

[logray]

The 99 year M96-01 engine model is designated as 66X. So in that case it would be normal to have an X.

But as Loren stated having an "X" or "AT" after that or before the "66X" would indicate exchange/rebuilt by Porsche (of course other re-builders probably don't stamp a different serial)

The below is a FANTASTIC thread I keep for just such occasions:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php/topic/5353-m960-engine-sn-decoding/

As an interesting note, blue paint near the oil pan means the case was rejected at the factory and sent back to be reworked.

[logray]

And here is where you find your serial number:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php/topic/16437-anyone-know-where-the-vin-is-on-the-996-engines/page__p__82129__hl__%2Bengine+%2Bvin__fromsearch__1#entry82129

[j_beede]

The 99 year M96-01 engine model is designated as 66X. So in that case it would be normal to have an X.

But as Loren stated having an "X" or "AT" after that or before the "66X" would indicate exchange/rebuilt by Porsche (of course other re-builders probably don't stamp a different serial)

The below is a FANTASTIC thread I keep for just such occasions:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php/topic/5353-m960-engine-sn-decoding/

As an interesting note, blue paint near the oil pan means the case was rejected at the factory and sent back to be reworked.

FYI: Here's an example... The 2000 C2 I have been considering had its engine swapped in Jan'06 due to sudden loss of oil pressure. The new engine code was M96/04AT66Y6xxxx. Note the "AT" as pointed out by logray. The new engine is 3.6L which pulls and revs great and it has the newer, "non-serviceable" IMS bearing. The engine replacement was not reported by CarFax.

Edited June 26, 2011 by j_beede

[Loren]

A 2000 C2 would have been a 3.4 liter - so this is not likely a dealer replacement if it is a 3.6 liter. You would need a 7.8 DME to run a 3.6 liter and a 3.4 liter runs DME 5.2.2.

[j_beede]

Interesting. I provided a Porsche mechanic with a photo of the engine code and was told that it was a 2006 m96, 3.6L. I never checked the code myself :( and now see from your table (posted elsewhere) that the code indicates 3.4L as you indicated. This is actually good news to me... I had stopped considering MY99/00/01 996s because I was so impressed with the reman m96 that I thought was 3.6L. My error. I will start searching again for MY99/00/01 3.4L coupes--saving some money or getting more car in the process! Nice.

...j

[baronb55]

Thanks to all. I guess I doin't have a replaced engine. My serial n umber is M960166W08957. Not sue if this is god or bad. Was hoping to have a replaced engine with all themodiicartions addressing all the sudden failures. Dont' know what to think. Should have educated myself before buying.

[j_beede]

Thanks to all. I guess I doin't have a replaced engine. My serial n umber is M960166W08957. Not sue if this is god or bad. Was hoping to have a replaced engine with all themodiicartions addressing all the sudden failures. Dont' know what to think. Should have educated myself before buying.

It sounds like your engine is either original or was not replaced with a reman engine from Porsche. If you are concerned about IMSB failure, your engine should have the smaller bearing (13mm nut) making it a candidate for the LN Eng retrofit. I have been told that engines replaced during 2005 or later will have the larger bearing (22mm nut) which would require removal and tear down of the engine to replace.

[logray]

A recommendation for whatever model you end up with is to buy the IMS guardian from flat6innovations.com and you will get a warning before your IMS bearing will fail. Then perhaps you wouldn't need to proactively retrofit your bearing. FWIW, the IMS problem exists with the 3.6L as well all the way up until the very latest engine released this or last year? where they eliminated this from the design IIRC. In fact, some newer models after 2007ish IIRC have an IMS bearing that cannot be replaced... so you should feel "lukcy" an older model car can have it replaced.

I did an LN IMS swap about 10k miles ago, my original bearing at 62k would probably have lasted the life of the engine.

I also like the peace of mind that the IMS guardian will provide when it is released.

http://www.flat6innovations.com/shop/home.php?cat=399

I've always read to buy the newest Porsche you can afford. :rolleyes:

[j_beede]

A recommendation for whatever model you end up with is to buy the IMS guardian from flat6innovations.com and you will get a warning before your IMS bearing will fail. Then perhaps you wouldn't need to proactively retrofit your bearing. FWIW, the IMS problem exists with the 3.6L as well all the way up until the very latest engine released this or last year? where they eliminated this from the design IIRC. In fact, some newer models after 2007ish IIRC have an IMS bearing that cannot be replaced... so you should feel "lukcy" an older model car can have it replaced.

I did an LN IMS swap about 10k miles ago, my original bearing at 62k would probably have lasted the life of the engine.

I also like the peace of mind that the IMS guardian will provide when it is released.

http://www.flat6innovations.com/shop/home.php?cat=399

I've always read to buy the newest Porsche you can afford. :rolleyes:

...of course the air cooled crowd will say spend a little more and get a 993 instead of a 996! :)

[logray]

HAH. Yeah I agree about the 993. If only money were no object. LOL.