Rob993

For years I have been hearing about the "dreaded" valve guide, carbon build up issues on the 993's.

What I am curious is how many of you guys actually have had them replaced and typically what did it cost? I know once a person does them, they tend to add a number of other toys that add to the total cost, but I am just trying to get a feel of what to expect on a couple of 993's that I am looking at in respect to the valve work themselves.

Search's showed tons of stuff, but not really a poll as to who has had it or needs it ..Etc

Thanks
Rob

993RS

I had any problem with my 993's. I have a friend with over 300,000 miles on his 993 and he has never had to touch engine. In fact, a mechanic said, his engine is in terrific shape. Obviously, his car is a daily driver...

Rob993

Ok, so over a hundred reads but only one person (thanks Phil) that responded. I am guessing that is good!

Edward

Like so many other "issues" with the 993 and previous 911s, this has been largely exaggerated. Still, I'll chime in:

I've got 93K miles on my '95 and still get about 2.5K miles/quart of oil. All is as healthy now (or better) as it was at 50K miles when I got it.

Edward

garychios

I have come to realize that the 911 crowd over exaggerates everything. I have read articles about how hard it is to do this and that and how much work this is and if someone posts about a mirror falling off how we should all be weary. In the end, I can see that a lot of you are more business people than actual car mechanics, and that any kind of rumor can become a fact over night. I have also realized that the porsche mechanics prey on that. For example, I was talking about putting a supercharger in my 993, and the first thing that came out of a 993 mechanic was be weary, the mileage is high. LOL. Mileage has nothing to do with how the engine is running. If she is not smoking, buring oil, does not have any crap in the oil filter, she is good.

In the end, these cars are solid, need some attention and thats about it!
-G

flatair

I personally think it's the 'airplane crash' syndrome. Airplanes are one of the safest ways to travel, but when one crashes everybody hears about it and aircraft are easily percieved as unsafe. Same with reliability issues on this forum, when one person out of the many on this board has a problem, everybody hears about it and the 993 is easily perceived as unreliable.

chris walrod

I have to agree that any particular models' trouble spots, seems to get magnified on web-based forums. Valve guide wear is not new to Porsches, 911's especially, even though I dont feel its that its a epidemic by any stretch of the imagination.

993's seem to be the most bullet-proof of all 911's and able to take-on just about any type of driving or driver. Again, the way I view it, anyway..

Randy M '96 Silver 993

I have had the CEL go off about every 200 miles. There are a few others also. We do exist. It does cost money to fix these issues. Mine cost around $1000 to flush out the ports and all is well. The car does not burn extra oil so the engine is still good. The problem was just carbon build-up.

I agree that we tend to exagerate these issues, but that does not mean that they do not exist. Good luck in your search.

solomonschris

I recently purchased a 95 with 63K with zero records. It burns about 1 qt per 2K. Never any smoke, even on start up after a week or two of sitting. It now has 69K. I love the car, but after having the 60K service performed, including a new distributor belt I am shocked how much costlier this car is to maintain than my 87 or 89 911. I still have not had the plug wires replaced. I was astounded at the cost of what I have always considered a minor procedure. I rationalize this by repeating to myself that it's only every 60K and WHAT A CAR!

porschedriver

I had mine changed after 120.000 km. They really needed to be replaced.

scottmc

I purchased my '97 with 60,000 miles, knowing that the valve guides were bad. I finally replaced them at 83,000. Spent $7,500 including LWF, lifters and misc parts. Was burning 1qt every 600 miles before. Now I don't fill up oil between changes (every 5,000).

JDS

For what it's worth, my CEL was coming on before the PPI. It helped me negotiate the price of the car down. I reset the code for the SAI and passed emissions. The CEL was getting worse and having to be reset every couple of days. At this time I starting tracking the car monthly and using Techron (no affiliation) with every tank full. No more CEL, ever. While I'm sure there is valve guide wear and carbon deposits, it does not burn oil or affect performance (that I can tell). Heck, this whole issue is post-combustion, right? If I ever have to go into the engine, I'll repair them then. To me it is not worth the money unless something else is seriously wrong. Just my opinion.

JohnJL

I burn 1 qt/2000 miles, the car has 50K. No issues...no ODBII either ;-)

deltawedge

With 68k, the car is burning 1 quart/2000 miles.

SCMomentum

If you are not burning excessive oil then it is not a big deal. People that live in smog certificate requiring states have to deal with this as it comes, but mechanically speaking the CEL/SAI issue does not affect vehicle performance whatsoever. It is a post combustion issue only.