Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 11:42 pm Post subject: Engine condition on high mileage cars
I've just got my car back from my mechanic having various niggles sorted including a new variocam solenoid on bank 1. I specifically gave him a list of things I wanted sorting and checking whilst in there. Most importantly chain guide parts and cam condition/timing. Car's on 132k miles, doesn't use any oil (maybe 300ml over 12k, usually on a blast down to the French Riviera and back non stop) and filter always clean when serviced.
He reported back that the cams were like new, minimal wear on the guides/slipper, and cam timing was spot on (only checked bank 1).
As far as I'm aware, the engine has never had any work done on it (apart from me removing the outer seal on the IMS bearing, which was also like new).
I know there's other 3.4 996 engines that are in a needy rebuild before 100k, with the main culprit being the crank bearings.
So what's the script here? Are some cars ragged when cold, or poorly manufactured, or not serviced (oil) accordingly? Am I just lucky? Has mine had a rebuild I don't know about?
Something doesn't stack up.
I'm in a position where I could afford a rebuild if need be and love my car that much it'd be straight over to Hartech for the works, but I'm a firm believer of 'if it ain't broke....'
Do I just keep on having fun in it? _________________ 2000 Manual 996 C4 Arctic Silver Convertible
FZP Estoril
Joined: 18 Jan 2015 Posts: 3873 Location: Cheshire
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 11:55 pm Post subject:
Drive like you stole it until you broke it. _________________ 997.2 Carrera 2S GT Silver/Cocoa.
Chris_in_the_UK Estoril
Joined: 19 Mar 2014 Posts: 3588 Location: Harrogate
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2019 11:57 pm Post subject:
Keep enjoying pal, seriously.
I have always been of the opinion that a full book of service stamps is no guarantee of anything, particularly with Porsche's. Folks hold this in high esteem, but the back story is how they are driven (proper warm up etc.).
The period where long service intervals were prevalent has also taken it's toll - a mate has a DAF Tractor Unit that has 500,000 miles on the clock - his simple view is he changes the oil and filters every month.
More is less? _________________ 2006 Cayman S PCCB's
Alex Le Mans
Joined: 06 Mar 2014 Posts: 17138 Location: The Ribble Valley, Lancashire
I have always been of the opinion that a full book of service stamps is no guarantee of anything, particularly with Porsche's. Folks hold this in high esteem, but the back story is how they are driven (proper warm up etc.).
The period where long service intervals were prevalent has also taken it's toll - a mate has a DAF Tractor Unit that has 500,000 miles on the clock - his simple view is he changes the oil and filters every month.
105000 miles engine has never been opened. Oil analysis is clear and it starts, runs and drives superbly, revs stable on idle, Ive done leaky plug tubes, minor RMS leak remains
I wonder whether worn engines are a combination of poor drivers causing over Revs especially in low gears down hills, poor manufacturing tolerances on some engines, the few percent of IMS that reveal before 70k, incorrect oil specs, track use when oil lowish??
I bought the car on the basis of popopbangbangs ownership thread. Exact same (base) spec as his car. All i can do is thrash it and love the fact that I'm in a millenium spec supercar for audi money.
Same here Alex just passed 125,000 miles uses no oil no rattles or noisy start up.
Just had all the wheel arch liners and trim off sprayed with dintrol no sign of any rust ether.
luck of the draw i guess.
Steve. _________________ 2002 996 C2 cab red
Alex Le Mans
Joined: 06 Mar 2014 Posts: 17138 Location: The Ribble Valley, Lancashire
I wish there was a simple easy way of checking the crank bearings.
You can if you fit an external oil pressure gauge.
911munKy Montreal
Joined: 26 Nov 2014 Posts: 565
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 8:34 am Post subject:
Or get your oil sample diagnosed when you change the oil (every 6000m for me), I believe that an increase in the amount of Copper over time would indicate a probably increase in journal wear and time to consider an engine rebuild.
I think I’ve got that right (?) as it’s why I get mine done every oil change as well as giving an indication of overall engine health along with oil consumption. _________________ 2000 C2 996
Last edited by 911munKy on Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:56 pm; edited 1 time in total
We better stop these happy thoughts or the 996 might get a good name🤘
Don't worry, the usual suspects will be along soon to remind us we're all doomed.
Anyway, as above, my understanding is that oil analysis is a reasonable guide to bearing wear etc. Cheap enough to give it a whirl...?
http://www.millersoils.co.uk/services/oil-analysis _________________ "911- the guilt-free supercar"
Current: 2003 C4S Coupe, seal/black
Ex: '02 C4S Coupe, '96 993 Targa, '88 Carrera Sport Coupe
kas750 Shanghai
Joined: 31 Mar 2013 Posts: 4590 Location: Chorley lancashire
If as an extreme example you changed your oil every 2 thousand miles then oil analysis probably wouldn’t pick up any anomalies
Stotty Monza
Joined: 17 Dec 2009 Posts: 164 Location: Surrey
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 9:46 am Post subject:
170k+ on mine now, with no engine work... I just drive it and fix things when they break. _________________ 2000 996, C2, manual, arctic/metropole, Koni shocks, H&R -30 springs, H&R ARB's, Rennline SS engine mounts, cup wheel, 170k miles. 2018 Touareg RLine Plus
Joined: 10 May 2018 Posts: 371 Location: Hampshire
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 10:48 am Post subject:
It's funny, we used to get threads like this on the Range Rover forum when I had one of those cars. Someone would say "my car has done 20 billion miles and never missed a beat......." which would then be countered by "my three month old FFRR has had five new engines..." or something.
In other words, there's so many variables in play [factory assembly defects, quality of servicing, mechanical sympathy for example] that you may not get a consensus about engine reliability.
GMG, what say you? Hartech's opinion?
That said, it's always nice to hear of the high mileage "good news" stories, happy motoring chaps.
alfazagato Trainee
Joined: 03 Jul 2017 Posts: 82
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 10:52 am Post subject:
Alex I think that you have put your finger on a possible source of the engine problems and that is not properly warming the engine before driving. My son who has a current 911 gets in and drives off as if the hounds of hell are at his heels. The concept of warming up never enters his head, or to be fair, any of his friends.
eabeukes Monza
Joined: 30 Jan 2018 Posts: 181 Location: Aylesbury
Alex I think that you have put your finger on a possible source of the engine problems and that is not properly warming the engine before driving. My son who has a current 911 gets in and drives off as if the hounds of hell are at his heels. The concept of warming up never enters his head, or to be fair, any of his friends.
In a 'modern' car, theres debate over whether doing this actually causes more harm than good. I know I've heard similar debate aout the 996/7's too - do you start up and leave it 15 minutes till its at 80deg before even lifting the handbrake, or do you get in and drive gently to ensure the oil fills all the engine and only start hooning at 80deg?
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