tonytaylor

That's what I was thinking. 5 years with mine under the impression the bottom end was bullet proof and then I hear of a number of spun bearings. I did read somewhere that the 964s did have a history of crank problems but I can't recall where I read it.

Pesty

I Ddon't know for definate that it is a big end yet. I will definately keep you all informed. I was wondering the same As I have noticed a few threads on here about it.

I have heard anecdotaly that the bottom end of a 964 was one of the strongest fitted to a road car and that it was used in many race cars.
isnt the new GT3 and GT3 RS bottom end basicaly the same unit or slightly updated. Im sure Ive read somewhere that a 964 part number is stamped into the crank case. 250 BHP is not that much surely that it would cause problems on such a strong bottom end?

Greg_L

Yep it is .

raymond-turner

Pesty, sad news if it's the bearing. mine cost £6500 with clutch, dizzy caps et all. on the upside, it's fantastic now. Raymond

hdemas

Have you tried turning the engine over by hand? Put the transmission in neutral, and use a moderately sized wrench with the appropriately sized socket to rotate the crank in the clockwise direction. As you do this, listen very closely for metalic noises and pay close attention to the amount of resistance, or if it binds up at any point. There will be significant resistance from compression in the cylinders, but no hard stops that you should encounter.

dutchcrunch

good idea but better if remove lower plugs

Christer

Bullet proof.....where did you guys hear that. When a bearing doesn't get any oil because of some 'gunk' that is inevitably floating around your 15 year old engine then its going to cause a problem no matter how the 'bottom end' is built.....there is no way to try to prevent this other than regular servicing.... All engines will need a rebuild at some stage, hopefully at a time when it is 'convenient' for the owner

dutchcrunch

its is possible for oil to have debris in it as oil is not filtered till it is sumped from the bottom of case. so lets say while adding oil some dirt got into tank, this will go straight into oil bearings, then it goes to bottom of sump, the scavenge pump will send it to the oil filter housing next and then back to engine oil pump inlet. man i hope its not nothing bad.

Wachuko

Pesty,

Any updates?

Pesty

Not yet. I have booked it in with a specialist so they can have a look. Didnt think there was much point in dropping the oil because whatever the outcome of that I will need someone to have a look anyway.

plus the car is parked on a hill at the moment and I have no one to help me push it around.

havnt tried tuening engine over either not sure what to do tbH and I don't think I could get the plugs out not all top 6 anyway

still at least my bike has started getting some use again it was feeling sorry for itself. problem is I cam't pick the kids up from school on the bike and Taxi's are getting expensive

oh well its stilll the best looking car ever made even when its stood still. Good job really

Randall G.

Wow, sorry to read of all these spun rod bearings. I must have been on the "cutting-edge" when it happened to my (old) car back in 1999. Clacking noise, then car wouldn't restart after being shut-off. Came back a few hours later, it started fine, no noise at all. A short while later, it seized for good. Couldn't get the engine to turn over, wasn't officially diagnosed as a spun rod bearing until the engine was torn apart.

ASH.PALIN

Spookily...............My old 964 would actually run for a 2-3 minutes and then locked up solid!! This was the big end bearing sleeves migrating around until overlapping and then locking up stalling the car(even the starter motor couldn't shift her) quite amazing in engineering terms. My car did have a rather chequered service record I have to say, I now have a 993 with a very good service record and I try my best to change the oil regularly (6K).
Its strange that these well engineerd cars are so prone to problems when not looked after properly.............i guess that's the price of performance.....slightly dissapointing tho'. I do hope it's nothing serious Pesty but the symptoms are synonymous with a spun bearing

dutchcrunch

most cars filter their oil before they go to bearings 911's dont. very important to watch what goes into oil filler area. even removing oil tank lines and replacing, must be careful not to contaminate system. you know all that dirt and sand in the wheel well area could get into oil system whilw changing hoses if area is not cleaned well before starting.

Randall G.

Hey Ash.palin... May have just been a coincidence that your car had a spotty history. My car had all scheduled maintenance performed, I never missed a shift, never tracked, rev-limit wasn't upped, etc. But, it still spun a bearing at 100k miles. Though, I suppose it's possible the original owner (I bought the car when it was one year old) missed a shift, stretched a rod bolt a bit, and it didn't manifest itself until *way* down the road. Seems unlikely, though.

Odd that your car would also run for a short while before seizing up completely. Like yourself, the starter on my wouldn't even make the engine turn. Trying to drop the clutch and start (I was on a freeway on-ramp when it "stalled" for good) only chirped the rear tires. Oddly enough, my starter began acting up shortly after the new engine was installed. Gotta' wonder if trying to turn a locked engine (repeatedly) caused some damage, or if it was just a coincidence.

Pesty

The cars Engine waas dropped today. when teh oil was drained there were metal particles and when teh sump was removed more of them some copper in colour.

It does seem like a big end bearing has gone. will know more in a few days.

Anyone know where I can get a second hand crank at the moment? German e-bay a good idea?

cheers