Assistance with pre-purchase check 996

[CJSeejay]

Hi, I am looking at buying a 2003 996 with 50,000 miles, porsche serviced. All looks fine but (and I don't want to start another IMS thread...!) I wanted to see if there were any specific simple checks (just to see if bearing failure is on the way before purchase). I called the Porsche dealer here in Milan, Italy and asked if they could check the oil filter for bits of ferrous metal...he said it would be a long job emptying the oil and taking the filter off to check ???!! I asked him if it were possible to run a check on the differences in timing between the two camshafts (if there were fluctuations in the deviations this would be a warning sign??) but he said he would need to take the engine half apart and would cost €500..! I'm not very technical but read of someone who did the same with some software (Durametric?) at home in a few minutes so I'm a little suprised at the mechanics reply.

Any advice or comments on this?

Any other ideas?

Thanks!!

Chris

[BReyes]

Chris,

What kind of a mechanic specialty? Did he have other Porsche experience? What types of Porsche cars around? Perhaps of a different school, of Italian sports car? If no, wrong mechanic. The dealership who serviced the car? What is the service history? Provenance?

Pre purchase inspection (PPI)?

You are experienced tech with this make? Another make? If you are, I'm sure we could find some checklists to help you but PPI puts experienced local tech to work and give buyer some peace of mind.

Regards,

[CJSeejay]

Bernard, the car has a full service history with an official Porsche dealer. The mechanic I phoned is from another Porsche official dealer and said they only did a PPI for cars who were going to take on a Porsche Official Warranty...

Chris

[fpb111]

The oil filter can be removed and replaced with new filter and "O"rings in under 10 minutes with loss of about 1/2 ltr of oil.

If the shop plugs their Porsche computer into the OBD socket, by the drivers left knee in LHD cars, they can monitor and activate the vario-cam solenoids to check cam timing and many other engine parameters. Sounds like the shop doesn't want your business or just wants many lire/euro to give you poor service.

[CJSeejay]

Many Thanks, excellent advice and just what I was looking for !!!

If I were to do this and it all looked good (no metalic flakes in filter, no timing difference between the two cams) and I then repeated the operation (plus oil change) every 5,000 miles then how effective of a pre-warning method would it be??

Thanks

Chris

[DBJoe996]

Comment - you haven't even purchased the car and already you are worried about something that may or may not ever happen! There are many of us, me included, that have the original engine and IMS and have logged over 120,000 miles with not even a blip of a problem. No car is perfect and everything will fail eventually. I've had many other cars and they have all broken at some point. It is wise to consider this issue, but to make your decision only on that particular problem, and probably never going to happen problem, you are missing the true joy of owning/driving a Porsche. If from day one you cannot enjoy this experience, then forget it and pass. Sure, something might happen, just as in life stuff happens, but are you going to miss out if all you can do is focus on "what might happen." It's a car.....it will need some attention. Buy the car, drive it with complete abandon, enjoy every minute of ownership, feel the pride, heritage, engineering marvel, quality of build and the way you feel in it when you are driving, but please don't sit in your chair and worry that it's going to blow at any minute! It was serviced at a Porshce Dealer and sounds like it has been well maintained. Change the oil and filter as a precaution and go out and drive one of the best cars in the world! There is no substitute........

[BReyes]

The dealership who serviced the vehicle may be of good service to you especially initial information received. They may service the car for you as may the dealership in Milan. Later on you may find a specialist.

A pre purschase inspection. Usually use an independent tech from the one who serviced the vehicle, but in this case of limited availability of a tech the original dealership may be the best option.

Regards,

[fpb111]

Many Thanks, excellent advice and just what I was looking for !!!

If I were to do this and it all looked good (no metalic flakes in filter, no timing difference between the two cams) and I then repeated the operation (plus oil change) every 5,000 miles then how effective of a pre-warning method would it be??

Thanks

Chris

Checking the filter often is a good way to monitor things. Better for you might be IMSGuardian from Raby's Flat 6 Innovations

http://www.flat6inno...ort_direction=0

http://www.flat6inno...&cat=289&page=1

Edited September 28, 2012 by fpb111