rsburns21

I am looking to buy a 993 and am being consuled to shun 1996-98 due to inevitable carbon build / top end rebuild issue....am I absurd to shun a lo mileage pristine 96-98 25K miles at market price due to this apprehension? All 993's seem to have issues ..the 95's and lower valve guide deterioration also leading to top end rebuild!

ilko

The carbon build-up of the secondary injection ports does not necessitate an engine rebuild. It doesn't even affect engine performance, it's only there for emissions purposes. And can be rectified relatively easy, with no need of an engine tear down.

rsburns21

Thanks 4 reply.....obdII has been onerous to my BMW 328....and don't want a repeat with the 993! How does one lessen the chances of carbon build.....can we assume high reving on a regular basis?

ilko

That would help for the future. But since you're buying a used car you don't really know how the previous owners drove it. Look, all I'm saying is that it's not as big of a deal as it's made out to be on the internets. Same applies for valve guides on the 95 cars.

bobesser

To quote Excellence magazine, "Buy the newest car you can afford".

Budget about $500 to $1000 to clean the SAI passages when (not if) they clog. Car should easily go 150,000 miles before needing the topend rebuilt (but expect that to go $6k to $8k).

As said above, the SAI ports are no big deal in the big scheme of things.

Bob

PNogC2S

Don't let the SAI issue bother you. They can be cleaned up rather easily.
When I bought my '97 it had a lit CEL and clogged SAI passages...I got a nice discount because the local Porsche dealership said it needed a top-end rebuild due to the SAI issue. I bought it for a very good price, then did the DIY clean out (the brake cable/bass cable one, not the fluid flush). Cleared out all the passages and the car has been free of any CEL issues since. Passed smog last month with flying colors.
Just leave yourself enough driving time to let the codes reset on the OBDII before you get it smogged and you'll be fine.

rsburns21

Hope y'all are correct....last two times i had my BMW serviced at my BMW/Porsche indie 993's of 34,000 and 44,000 miles 96 and 97 had severe carbon build.....I would seriously love to buy a 993 so sellers please contact me.....nothing over 45,000 miles and in excellent condition! Thanks!

JM993

If you're really concerned about a CEL triggered by carbon build-up, just get a 95. Although the later cars are great, I personally prefer the 95 because I dislike OBD-II. With a 993, you're lucky to have a choice between OBD-I and OBD-II.

Cheers,
Joe

vincer77

I do not think that clogged SAI ports is a reason not to get an OBD-II car. They can be cleaned out so they do not throw the CEL. The 95s still have the same problem, just that the CEL does not prevent you from passing smog.

cabrio993

This SAI issue has been blown waaaay out of proportion. Find the 993 that you like, and just enjoy it. If ODBII is an issue for you, you'll never own a car newer than a MY 95.

TRINITONY

Buy a 996!

rsburns21

996.....IMS and RMS issues prohibit that idea....993's have special intrinsic values aesthetically and mechanically!

e3photo

95's are the best.

Emerald

Stealth 993

It's not "carbon buildup" but worn valve guides. 993's don't have a carbon buildup issue. What we have is weak valve guides, since way back to 1969. But what makes the 993's special, is they have this stupid SAI, that blows air into the cats on cold start to get them hot faster. See this is ONLY a USA thing. It was kind of a afterthought from Porsche. What happens, is the ports can get clogged with gunk. It can get clogged from a bunch of stuff, not just worn valve guides. Then it triggers the CEL. This is the big issue as you can't pass SMOG with the light on.

Some times the SAI valve rust, & closes, you just got to replace the valve. Other times people over fill the oil (very common) & it gets in the SAI system & causes the CEL. People have had very good results from just cleaning the SAI ports with piano wire, or chemicals. The ports exit right after the exhaust valve & it's a little hole.

Not every 993 has this issue, I would say most do not, or at least it not posted here that often. It seams that cars in the heat belt, short trips, & low maintaince seam to suffer the most from this issue.

I'm over 100,000mi, & mine still works great. The yardstick for the SAI issue is usually oil usage from the engine, it's like a quart every 5-800mi or less.

JM993

I disagree. The SAI issue is not necessarily dependent on oil usage. There are plenty of cars with clogged SAI passages that do not use oil (mine included). On a 95, clogged SAI ports are irrelevant. On US 96-98 cars, clogged passages throw a CEL.