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Cracked Head vs. Cracked Block

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Old Jan 22, 2018 | 10:14 AM
  #1  
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Default Cracked Head vs. Cracked Block

A few of you may be familiar with my current situation....I currently have my car in the shop after experiencing some issues and it turns out that my car is leaking coolant into Cylinder 1. My mechanic said that it is most likely a cracked cylinder head, but would not know for certain until he removes engine and inspects further. While discussing options, he mentioned the cost of a new head, costs of a used engine, and also the costs of a new block.

I have two questions about this...

1.) My car was throwing a check engine code 20 miles after I bought it, and I was never able to clear it, even after replacing plugs/coils. The code was for Cylinder 1 misfire, every time I checked it with my scanner (about 20 times). However, twice it came back showing 5 different cylinder misfire codes, (Cylinders 1,2,3 and I believe 5, and also the random cylinder misfire code). Would this indicate that I could potentially have a problem in my other cylinders also, or were those codes a result of Cylinder 1 putting the rest into whack?

2.) It seems like a cracked cylinder head could be a good alternative to either get fixed, or purchase a rebuilt head, and fix it that way, for less than the cost of a used engine. However, my mechanic also mentioned the possibility that it could be something with the block. How would someone diagnose with 100% certainty whether I have an issue with the head, or the block? And, if it is the block, is there any less costly repair/replacement than the cost of purchasing an entire used engine?

Thanks guys, you're all helping me out a ton lately!
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Old Jan 22, 2018 | 12:57 PM
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You need to pull that motor and start the process (pull the heads) to be 100% sure. Nobody can give you a guaranteed diagnoses on the internet.
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Old Jan 22, 2018 | 03:23 PM
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If your liner was cracked then you would get combustion gasses being forced into the coolant system creating pressure.

If your cylinder head is cracked in the usual place I *believe* you will get intermix of some kind
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Old Jan 22, 2018 | 11:06 PM
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If you pull the heads, be sure to measure the cylinders for ovaling.
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Old Jan 23, 2018 | 01:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Jaycote
A few of you may be familiar with my current situation....I currently have my car in the shop after experiencing some issues and it turns out that my car is leaking coolant into Cylinder 1. My mechanic said that it is most likely a cracked cylinder head, but would not know for certain until he removes engine and inspects further. While discussing options, he mentioned the cost of a new head, costs of a used engine, and also the costs of a new block.

I have two questions about this...

1.) My car was throwing a check engine code 20 miles after I bought it, and I was never able to clear it, even after replacing plugs/coils. The code was for Cylinder 1 misfire, every time I checked it with my scanner (about 20 times). However, twice it came back showing 5 different cylinder misfire codes, (Cylinders 1,2,3 and I believe 5, and also the random cylinder misfire code). Would this indicate that I could potentially have a problem in my other cylinders also, or were those codes a result of Cylinder 1 putting the rest into whack?

2.) It seems like a cracked cylinder head could be a good alternative to either get fixed, or purchase a rebuilt head, and fix it that way, for less than the cost of a used engine. However, my mechanic also mentioned the possibility that it could be something with the block. How would someone diagnose with 100% certainty whether I have an issue with the head, or the block? And, if it is the block, is there any less costly repair/replacement than the cost of purchasing an entire used engine?

Thanks guys, you're all helping me out a ton lately!
What year 996? How many miles on the engine ?
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Old Jan 23, 2018 | 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Byprodriver
What year 996? How many miles on the engine ?

It's a 2000 and has 90K miles
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Old Jan 23, 2018 | 02:08 PM
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Hello Sir, I'm having a similar problem, but I think my problem is isolated to the water pump. However, when I took it to autozone, the nice man hooked the car up to one of those fancy scanners and said it was showing misfires. I didn't think to ask him for any codes. He explained he couldn't help with Porsches. I'm curious, if your problem is a crack in the head, what would that cost to repair? I haven't noticed any so called "intermix", but I have a leak under the car. Thank you kindly.
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Old Jan 23, 2018 | 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by _OP_
Hello Sir, I'm having a similar problem, but I think my problem is isolated to the water pump. However, when I took it to autozone, the nice man hooked the car up to one of those fancy scanners and said it was showing misfires. I didn't think to ask him for any codes. He explained he couldn't help with Porsches. I'm curious, if your problem is a crack in the head, what would that cost to repair? I haven't noticed any so called "intermix", but I have a leak under the car. Thank you kindly.

A new head is $3K. Add the cost of labor to remove/install engine, diagnose the problem, all necessary parts and related items, you're looking at a hefty bill! If it's the block, which I found out is my problem, you need a new engine. I'm looking at a $10K+ bill, on a car i drove for less than 500 miles. Be careful and good luck!
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Old Jan 23, 2018 | 05:05 PM
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OP is not real!
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Old Jan 23, 2018 | 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Jaycote
... you're looking at a hefty bill! If it's the block, which I found out is my problem, you need a new engine.
Dang, Jaycote! It's confirmed by your mechanic?
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Old Jan 23, 2018 | 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by 808Bill
OP is not real!
I believe OP is actually the guy who sold me the car, trolling the entire situation. This Porsche journey has been an interesting one, for sure!
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Old Jan 23, 2018 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Dr_Strangelove
Dang, Jaycote! It's confirmed by your mechanic?
Yes, unfortunately. In related news, anyone know if a **** engine is worth anything? Can I get any money for it?
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Old Jan 23, 2018 | 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Jaycote


I believe OP is actually the guy who sold me the car, trolling the entire situation. This Porsche journey has been an interesting one, for sure!
say it aint so.......his lil following beat up on KK all that time with the nigerian war hero lawyer in charge
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Old Jan 24, 2018 | 09:12 AM
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No, OP is B3Freak, and has been banned. Read about it here.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...l#post14750062
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Old Jan 24, 2018 | 09:24 AM
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jesus christ, that's pretty lame.
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