Early Model 996's Frequent Engine Replacement?
 

Well, I did a bit of research and wanted to check the frequency of this problem.

I've been getting a lot of advice that early model 996's N/A cars tend to require engine replacement early in their lifetimes. Sorry I'm a noob, but this would lead me to believe there has to be some type of service bulletin out for something like this? I have my eye on a '99 Carrera 4 with 70k on the clock and certainly don't want to replace an engine right off the bat!


Anyone have info?

There is a known issue regarding RMS leaking - that won't result in an engine replacement.

There is an unacknowledged issue with the IMS bearing that, if it should occur, will almost definitely lead to a catastrophic failure. It is unacknowledged so - no service bulletin.

LNE produces an after market IMS bearing. It's not too difficult to replace, but it does require dropping the tranny. Many have decided to get it done with our next clutch replacement. Some of us have decided to get it done as soon as they purchased their cars. Others of us have decided that the incidence of failure is still relatively small, and they'll live with the odds.

In addition to the IMS problem, there are issues with cracked heads/cylinders. It is a known fact, specially in models pre 2001. Now, this does not happen to all cars but to a minority, most of the ones you hear are the ones that have a problem. That said, my '99 had a cracked head and cylinder at around 108k miles. Search in this forum and others. Also, LN Engineering has good read ups on what the problem is. They sell Nickies, which are custom cylinder sleeves to replace OEM when rebuilding an engine.

Aside of being informative, all of these reads might make you question whether is a good idea to get a early 996. I'd go with a good PPI, and perhaps knowing that something bad could happen, and just enjoy in the mean time.

tarzancoe...did you get yours rebuilt? What did you use as a core as if both had cracks?

FWIW, I have a friend in FL tell me had a 1999 Carrera. He drove it hard, DE'd it, even put an aftermarket supercharger on it at 50,000. No engine issues whatsover. He has a 993 now and regrets selling his 996.

Mines a 99 w/ 65K, DE driving, and I enjoy every time I drive it. Had the RMS at 30K, fixed, no leak, no issues at ALL.

ims failures are an issue on both mk1 and mk2 cars.... d chunks are nothing more than karma. :) get a well serviced car. These engines are stronger than what the internet make them out to be.

This really scares the crap outta me. I was looking into a Carrera 4, well serviced, 70k miles.

I was planning on taking roadtrips every now and then and didn't want to get stranded.

I'm guessing we are only hearing about extreme cases?

Yes bad luck cases. Over the admissible percentage limit, but a minority. I would not worry about getting stranded. I have put 60 k in 3 years.

Do we see cars over 100k miles regularly?

I've owned 3 996s, they've all been used in cross country trips, lowest mileage one I've sold was just north of ~94k miles. There's a lot of noise out there, but I don't believe the percentage of failure is that high. It does appear that 99s fail more often, and I prefer the MK2 (2002+ years), but I'd still own another early car if funds were limited.

I wouldn't be too concerned if I was you, at that mileage a problem would've already happened, you can have a dealer run the vin and engine number. If it has been replaced with a reman unit it'll have alot of updated parts and better quality than the original engine.

That is true, try to find one with a newer engine there are some out there.

The 1999 was the worst year to buy a 996 I went through 2 engine's the 3.4 platform is horrible, I'm currently tryin to replace it to the X-51 motor 3.6 or 3.8.

i never knew all these issues with the 1999.