opus

I found a 1996 993 base model for sale within 1.5 hours of driving distance from me. It is a Guard Red with 33k miles selling for $28k, but the engine light is on. The owner said he talked to two porsche mechanics: one suggested an engine re-built, another suggested a clean up of the ports. The mechanic that suggested the clean up said he had never done a clean up before, so there is no guarantee that it would work.

Current owner of the car purchased the 993 from a local Porsche dealer as a certified used car back in 2002 with 19k miles on it. The seller appears to be a honest guy, and he said there is no accidents that he knows of. Base on two pictures I have seen, the car appears to be in decent shape. Would you be a buyer of this car or should I look elsewhere? How do I know if this is a serious problem or not?

NOH20

Take it to a dealer or a Porsche certified mechanic and have the CEL codes read. This would be your first step. Depending on what the codes read we can tell you what your next step should or should not be.

mikestash

First of all, figure out why the check engine light is on via the code in the car's ECU. If it is #410, you have just confirmed the SAI issue. If SAI issue, keep reading. If not, tell us what it is!

IF SAI (secondary air intake):
1) Read the SAI cleaning DIY in the DIY section. Also search on SAI issue in this forum. This will tell you what you are dealing with. If SAI, it doesn't affect the engine performance, just ability to pass emissions test. Best case to fix cost wise is about $1k for a cleaning. Worst case about $7k for a top end rebuild.

2) If you don't want to spend the money, find a indy shop that will pass the car and give you an emissions certificate (based on your morals/ethics). Put a piece of duct tape over CEL.

BUT a 96 993 in decent shape with 33k miles (sounds like a garage queen) that was a recent CPO car with good mechanics (get a PPI) and good cosmetics is a good deal at $28k. If you got it for $26k, it would be a great deal.

Last, budget about $1200 to $2000 for a 30k service. (get a ppi)

Also, check the options. It could be more of a bargain if really optioned out.

Mike

Wilder

^^^

CEL could be as simple as replacing O2 sensors. Mine came on last week and it was just that. Wtih 33k mi, that car has sat a lot and may just need a good Italian tune up.

$28 for a 33k mi car is a steal. GL.

opus

I am calling up the mechanic that the seller took it to tomorrow. He said the mechanic can give me all the details. As far as passing emissions test, I am not too worried about that since it is still over a year away. I am worry about more serious problems.

Brad, yes, I'll need a ppi on the car and post back on the issues.

In getting an inspection, do I negotiate the price of the car first with price subject to inspection or take it for inspection first before doing anything else?

Mike, the car is a base model with not a lot of options on.

Louis, what's an "Italian" tune up?

Wilder

Italian tuneup = taking it for a rip and driving it like you stole it.

99three

I tune it up every weekend.

Wilder

Must run like a champ!

opus

I called up the shop that looked at the car. Codes are 0401 and 1411. The service guy said it is the SAI and his suggested "curse" was a top end rebuilt and cleaning of the valves for $4,000 to $5,000 cost. What are 0401 and 1411? How do I know if it will affect engine performance? Will anything be damage if not fix?

vjd3

It might be the ports, it might not ... it could be the check valve, it could be the little hydraulic line that runs from the left side of the engine over to the valve, mine has a habit of popping off and setting off those very same codes.

I had my valve guides replaced for about $3200, so it's not necessarily that expensive a repair if you find a mechanic with a good reputation and experience; the guy I used tears down race motors constantly so he can replace valve guides in his sleep.

The SAI issue has no effect whatsover on how the engine runs, it's only active for a minute or so during cold starts.

opus

Thanks. I guess do have bigger issues to worry about than the ports. How can I tell if it is a valve guide problem without knowing how much oil the car burns?

Also, given the price of $28k, how much should I be offering the seller, assuming the worst that it needs a top rebuilt?

dcdude

Get it for $26K and just drop the engine. Even if your rebuild costs as much as $10K (harder valve guides), that's a nice car with low miles, 100% of peace of mind for no more than $36K. If you've got the $10K cash, I can't see the downside.

Where do you live?

Rick Lee

If you really want the car, you need to find out what you're dealing with as far as likely repairs. Have a leakdown and compression test. Though that's low mileage to be having valve guide or oil consumption issues, it would let you know if there's a deal killer problem. If it's just the SAI ports, I'd do the flush and be done with it. If it needs a top end job because of valve guide wear, then the heads are coming off anyway and you can solve the SAI issue once and for all. I just got the CEL, but the codes were 1124 and 1126, lean in both banks and my O2 sensors gave very fussy readings. I replaced them and 225 miles later no CEL return.

BlkC4S

Unless you're willing to buy it for his asking price, then I would negotiate a price before the inspection. You can just agree that the price is conditional on the inspection passing with no new issues. Otherwise you could easily pay for the PPI only to find out that the seller isn't willing to budge at all on price. (This happened to me on a 993 several years back.)

Personally I think anyone selling a car with the CEL illuminated is a motivated seller. I would offer him $23K ($28k - 4-5K that the mechanic estimated).

As others have suggested, I'd definitely want a leakdown and compression test done in the PPI.

opus

Thanks for your suggestions.

dcdude68, I am in Philadelphia area.

Rob, that's a good suggestion to negotiate first. Otherwise, I would have just wasted my money on the inspection.