I just bought a 99 Carrera with 80K on her to compliment my 996 twin turbo. I was just wondering if someone has a decent list of common problem areas so I can start looking. Everything feels great and looks fine except the engine has some caked up oil seepage on the bottom, but no drips. It is an Auto (had to for the wife because its a daily driver)
Any input would be great. Thanks!

 

Congrats on the new addition to the garage!

Here are a few items you can search as you research the car:

- RMS
- IMS bearing upgrade
- Water pump
- AOS

Early 996 NA cars did occasionally have issues with cracked heads resulting in an intermix problem, but it's not that common. The engine can be rebuilt if necessary. Most other issues will be similar to your TT. These would include things like window regulators, ignition switches, wheel bearings, etc.

 

I was listening hard for the IMS bearing, but the engine sounds great. I have read a bit about that problem, but crossed my fingers why I was signing the dotted line. Do the ceramic ones work? Labor must be significant on that. Any idea about the cost? I did think the wheel bearings felt a bit draggy and road noise is high on the front. Anyone have torque specs on the bearing hubs? I will replace those. What is the AOS?

 

The AOS is the air/oil separator. When they fail, the car makes a huge amount of smoke leading you to believe something really bad has happened. Fortunately they are not expensive. That might be something you have replaced if you drop the transmission to change the IMSB, as the AOS is difficult to access.

I've heard good things about the ceramic IMSB. I plan to install one when my clutch is replaced, as the majority of the cost is in the labor to remove and replace the transmission. The bearing itself is relatively inexpensive, I think it's less than $1K.

Another thing that can happen on these cars is a cracked and/or leaking coolant reservoir. You might check that. Also - the motor mounts can get a bit saggy on a 14 year-old car. Are the exhaust tips hanging low or uneven? This is a sigh that the mounts are worn.

 

Great input Dennis. Funny my name is Dennis as well. LOL I'll be poking around it most of today and see what everything is like. I wonder if the previous owner ever changed the plugs. Anyway, I'm sure I will now be spending more time on this forum. This may be the best forum ever. Thanks for the input....I was just looking at the RMS tool 9609 and huh??? 550 bucks for a tool to push a seal on? I have always just used PVC with the same diameter.

 

links to a PPI (Prepurchase Inspection) but in your case, can also be used as a POSTpurchase Inspection:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...repurchase.htm

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...immermann.html

Better still, look over the recommended maintenance schedule: http://mysite.verizon.net/resqir1s/P...aintenance.pdf

 

I have a 99 C2 Manual Cabriolet. Apart from usual maintenacnce, leave well alone. All these scare tactics on these forums about the 996 are a load of Bollux. Thats OIMHO BTW. Tell your wife to relax and drive the bloody thing. You are going to scare the poor girl half to death with your questioning on this forum hahaha.. I only hope she isn't reading these postings . If so she will be saying. I hope the car gets me back and forth to walmart for this weeks shopping or we will all starve to death. Do you think the engine will last that long to the shop and back? Maybe I should go on the pedal cycle again instead".'lol

 

Aside from the occasional IMS.

Cracked cylinder liners & cracked cylinder heads are what I have heard, seen most from 99s.
Not much you can really do to prevent it.

Hartech in England has a good write up about the issues.

Mike

 

I don't think anyone here is trying to use any kind of "scare tactics". These posts were just answering the original question regarding problem areas. The fact is, the 996 does have some well known problem areas. It's better to know what they are and be prepared for them than to ignore them. Any 1999 model high-performance car will have problem areas.

 

Clean your engine with some degreaser and look for the oil leaks.

RMS (rear main seal) and AOS are possible.
The oil fill tube can also crack.

My Boxster had some leaky spark plug tubes.
A potential DIY.

And no I wasn't scaring -- just answering the PO and informing.

I personally would avoid the 99's, however I think there are already issues factored in the price of these cars which can make them great deals to the informed.

Mike

 

I would say if you have 80k on it the IMS bearing is probably ok, look underneath in the rear, if you don't see oil on the floor the RMS is ok. Alot of problems arise with these cars from NOT driving them. Just keep the oild changes (every 5K) and drive it and have fun. Yes, there will be upkeep, sometimes cracked coolant tank, maybe AOS, and on. But, in most cases it's an easy DYI fix. Just ensure you keep your fluids up and clean and have fun.

 

It has been driving really well. No drips, nice shifts, and idles well. I'm loving it. Found no problems so far. Thanks.

 

Ok, you're good to go! Enjoy