jlb532

I purchased a 99 C2 with 72K miles. I'm the forth owner of the car, and all I can attest to is the care the previous owner just before me took of it.

It was a lease vehicle before him, with limited documentation from that period. I'm aware of the gamble I took given that, but I reasoned (after reading about these engines going before 50K in most cases) that mine would be fine having made it this long.

Now I'm starting to have doubts, after reading of some on this board facing problems post 50K. I figure the only way I'll rest easier is by knowing whether or not I'm still on my original engine. It's very possible one of the first two leases had the engine replaced over the past 7 years...but I have no way of knowing...at least that I'm aware of.

Is there a way to tell if it's original, based on a number on the serial # on the engine block somewhere or anything?

I know it's a long shot, but figured I'd check.

Thanks

Orient Express

The engine S/N is visible on the bottom of the driver's side of the engine next to the oil sump cover.
If you have a S/N that looks like this: M960366212866, it is an original engine, If it has an AT in the 6th and 7th digit like this M9603AT66565082, then it is a rebuilt or remanufactured engine.

jlb532

Thanks Orient Express...I'll check!

cdodkin

If you call Porsche USA - they have to report to you if the engine has been swapped out.

I was given this tip by a service manager at Porsche when I was looking for my 996.

1-800-438-1409 (Option 3 - Customer commitment)

You'll need your VIN of course.

Chris.

cdodkin

Also - your local Porsche service center can pull all warranty work done on the car in it's lifetime.

That not all service work - just warranty work.

But that would show you if the engine had been replaced, or if other serious warranty work was done with the previous owners.

Service details are only stored locally, so they will not be able to get you a full service history - unless you track down the original dealerships where the car was serviced in the past, and call them directly - they can then fax you that service data from their systems.

You can tell - I looked into all this a great deal - and made many calls!!

Chris.

cdodkin

And this is a sample of what you get - pages and pages of it!



Details issues, resolutions, even internal costs etc.

Chris.

jlb532

Wow, thanks for the tip Chris. Very informative!

cdodkin

No problem - it's all part of the game

Chris.

jlb532

Well...I just called...and was told they don't have that information. He basically told me all I could do would be to Order a certificate of authenticity (for $100) and compare engine numbers off that

cdodkin

So that's not what I was told - I was told they have a legal requirement to tell you if the engine was swapped...

For now, try your local Porsche dealership for the warranty service data on the car - that's always worked for me with data as shown above.

Chris.

cdodkin

So - I just called the number myself - spoke to Karen

She can give you the original dealership, contact number and name of the current service manager, based on your VIN.

She will then put you through to the service manager, and you can pull the service details for review.

That's the 'official' route to the info you need

Call again, ask for Karen, she'll sort you out.

Chris.

jlb532

A ha! That worked. Thanks again Chris!