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964 / 993 / 996 / C2 / C4 / GT3 Engine

2003 996 RMS Warranty Period
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Having traded in my first 911, a 2001 car because of the propensity for RMS, and my feeling that by 2003 they would have sorted this problem, I now note that my 2003 911 may be included in the RMS problem which I sense is likely to become pandemic if you keep the car beyond the 25,000 mile mark.

I believe Porsche should extend engine warranties on these cars, purely because of the low mileage during the 4 year warrenty period. I think I am typical in that I put about 5,000 miles on my car every year. Do you think that our club would have any influence in getting PCNA to respond? Assuming of course that you agree with my thinking.
Frankly i am inclined to chalk up my Porsche experience as a great opportunity to drive the ultimate road car, but that's about it. The thought of forking out $12,000 plus for a new engine at 20,000 miles and 48 months because the company will not aknowledge the problem in its entirety, is a little beyond my sense of humor. And I might add, shows a certain disregard for the enthusiast, who after all, can take a great deal of credit for the tremendous financial performance of Porsche AG.

Region: Mid West
Total Mileage: 9500
Car Use: Street use only
The emerging pattern is to replace or otherwise deal with the RMS every 20,000 miles or so. You're right, 25k miles is darn near the safe limit.

Do I think the club could have any influence by direct action with PCNA, no I do not. Perhaps slowly over time, but by a single forcing of the issue I really doubt it. But I hear you, and I agree.

I think the right answer for owners is to a) accept the problem, b) assume the car will need the Scott Slauson Epoxy Fix every 20k miles, c) not worry too much further since the cost on that is in line with any other sort of service these cars get. It's in line with the cost of changing 12 spark plugs and whatever else on a 993 with a 30k mile service.

Your lower than average mileage will help. It may be that you will see higher mileage between leaks, or even that your car will never leak. No one writes in to tell me their RMS is fine, I only hear about the problems.

Joel Reiser - PCA WebSite - 5/2/2005


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In that the person who wrote that, traded a 2001 in for a 2003 thinking "that by 2003 they would have sorted this problem" doesn't say much for the credibility of this poster. Should that person done a very small bit of research, they would have found that it was on the same platform (M96) and the likelihood of it occuring on his 2003 was just the same as his 2001. There is a lot of alarmist sort of posts regarding this subject. Yes, it's a problem, yes, it's on going...for some reason, Porsche hasn't done anything to rectify it...we have no choice but to live with it, or live without it. There are other car makers out there, and guess what, they too suffer with RMS problems. I personally am very bored with this topic, but do feel the need to respond. (I have had six RMS leaks, all covered under warranty...I make the choice to live with it because I enjoy my car and have always been treated very well.) Why should we expect Porsche to pay for this forever? Sure, perhaps it's a design flaw...but the only people who can answer any of these questions is Porsche...and guess who isn't talking?

 

Actually Robyn they have been trying to address it by redesigning parts. but your right why would he think an 03 would be better than an 01. He certainly didn't do any research as I have heard that 997's are still experiencing the problem, though not as frequently as earlier models. I'm glad the 996's only achilles heel is the RMS, we could have the valve guide issue of the 993, which requires rebuilding the top part of the engine.


Cheers,
Corey...

P.S. Hows the supercharger doing, has it fed your appitite for HP.

 

I hardly feel a new seal or a new tool, or a process is a "fix". This is like putting a bandaid on a gushing wound. The concentricity of the crank is the issue. Perhaps they need to make non round seals....?

Cheap valve guides in a Porsche has been around since before the time of the 993...my 88 has some, which require a rebuild. But after 160,000, what can one expect. I know the issue with the 993 is far more drastic.

The SC is insane, I love it. Does it feed my need...well, I was thinking of ditching the Pcar for a C6 Z06. Okay, not really. I absolutely LOVE my car!

 

You had me scared there for a sec, a vette, you are not that kind of person.

160,000 miles I think is ok for new valve guides. 25,000 miles now that's an issue.

Cheers,
Corey

 

WELL SAID..

 

Holy **** Robyn, you know way to much!

 

RMS isn't nearly as big a problem as other M96 issues and it gets an unwarranted amount of discussion...Amen Robyn!

Corey
Who said RMS is the 996's only achilles heel? Ths car has an inordinate amount of cracked cylinder linings & head gasket failures that are fatal for the engine.

Screw the RMS problem...What are you supposed to do when the only available solution is engine replacement?

 

Gator,

I believe the cracked cylinder linings/slipped linings issues was fixed in by 00 this was a common issue in many early boxster as well, as for head gasket failing, that is a new one and you are the first to mention it which I find strange.

Has anyone else heard about this head gasket failure?

And the reason in many cases the engines were "sealed" and treated as replacment only modules was mostly a training issue. The boxster/996's engine was so new and different from previous air-cooled porsche did not trust the field to repair. As time has gone on this has and will change. I believe you can now work on the 3.4L M96 engine and get parts, though the work manual takes a full shelf of space and is about the size of the work manuals for every previous porsche carrera put together.

Cheers,
Corey

 

1999 996

Tracked and AutoCrossed.

No Problems......EVER.

Almost 60K miles.

 

Cracked cylinders gone by 'oo?? Go tell that to my brother on his 2nd replacement engine from Porsche for a '01 Boxster S. The 1st one was for the head gasket...tends to be discussed as oil/coolant mixing problem. It was enough of an issue for Porsche to issue a service test for it.

After owning a 79 SC, I can say one thing for sure...the M96 engine ain't "bulletproof" like the older cars. The only "safe" option is to get a Turbo...Japanese manufacturing "tips" & the need for Porsche to sell more vehicles to stay independent have led to the brand being a little less about quality than it meant in the past.

 

Whats an inordinate amount? I've never heard of anyone having cracked cylinders, and only heard of one instance of head gasket failure. I really don't think these are wide spread problems. Sounds like your bro just had bad luck.

the sky is not falling..

 

The oil/coolant mixing problem is NOT a head gasket. It is the inner channel walls in the block that wear and cause the oil and coolant channels to mix. I had this on my 99 C4, but the problem can occur in just about ALL NA 986/996 engines, but it is not at all common.