Is the 996 engine prone to blowing up?
06-29-2005, 03:20 PM
#1
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Is the 996 engine prone to blowing up?
A friend of mine (non member) is considering upgrading from his 933 to a 996 but wants to know the truth behind the myth that 996 engines blow up?
Does it effect all models and/or year of production etc, does
the RMS problem have any connection and has anyone needed to change their RMS more than once?
Thx
Does it effect all models and/or year of production etc, does
the RMS problem have any connection and has anyone needed to change their RMS more than once?
Thx
06-29-2005, 04:39 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
Do a search under "RMS" on the boxster or 996 forum, get a nice bottle of wine, and be prepared to read a LOT of posts about it....tons of information on here about it. Bottom line, yes it has the propensity to affect EVERY model year, including even the new 997. The GT3/Turbo seems to be less prone to failure although there are people on the board who have had this fail.
As for the number of RMS failures on a single engine, I think there is a guy on the board from your neck of the woods who had his RMS fail 8 times.....it has failed multiple times for more than a handful of people here.
That said, it appears to be fairly random...I had a 2001 996 with 65K miles, and no RMS leak. A friend of mine with another '01 had 2 leaks....
Do a search and you will find more info than you could imagine....
As for the number of RMS failures on a single engine, I think there is a guy on the board from your neck of the woods who had his RMS fail 8 times.....it has failed multiple times for more than a handful of people here.
That said, it appears to be fairly random...I had a 2001 996 with 65K miles, and no RMS leak. A friend of mine with another '01 had 2 leaks....
Do a search and you will find more info than you could imagine....
06-29-2005, 05:32 PM
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Burning Brakes
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Also try to maintain a perspective on things as you read posts, which is difficult in a web environment. You will find plenty of "doomsday" type posts, and don't let that detract you from buying one. The 996 is a GREAT car. Every time I drive mine, I am in absolute joy!
06-29-2005, 06:13 PM
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Burning Brakes
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To answer your question, no the RMS issue doesn't seem to play a role in having your engine "blow up". Unless of course you let it go on and on and on and on and on and on and don't do anything about it then of course your oil level will fall below the safe zone.... causing a blown engine... but I don't know of anyone who has let it get this far.... 
-Eli
-Eli
06-29-2005, 06:25 PM
#7
It doesn't blow up like the E46 M3. Instead, a good % of us get a oil leak coming from real main seal (RMS). It's about $800 to fix by dealer. Most RMS are fixed in 1 visit. Few of RMS victims get repeat RMS and some had engine replacement as a result of 3-4 fixes. Best bet is to buy a 996 that has factory warranty left or certified w 2 yr warranty. Otherwise, get a new 997 which still has RMS issues. Investigate warranty history for RMS as it may be a guide on purchase decisions.
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06-29-2005, 07:02 PM
#8
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Originally Posted by djantlive
It doesn't blow up like the E46 M3. Instead, a good % of us get a oil leak coming from real main seal (RMS). It's about $800 to fix by dealer. Most RMS are fixed in 1 visit. Few of RMS victims get repeat RMS and some had engine replacement as a result of 3-4 fixes. Best bet is to buy a 996 that has factory warranty left or certified w 2 yr warranty. Otherwise, get a new 997 which still has RMS issues. Investigate warranty history for RMS as it may be a guide on purchase decisions.
I agree it's not nearly as prevalent as the e46 M3's, but there are still some strange occurrences out there.
06-29-2005, 07:18 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
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Come on guys you're looking at performance cars, with the stress we drivers demand and the low tolerances that are involved in making these engines perform, something has to give..... At least a few of them.....
06-29-2005, 07:53 PM
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Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by leedav
yeah just wind it up like this until you h..BOOM.. oops. like that 
-Eli
06-29-2005, 08:03 PM
#12
Three Wheelin'
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None really. I only talk about them. Haven't lowered the car, or added any aero or power goodies...
Just have GHL, badges and spacers, spoiler switch and the mighty orange cap :-). Oh yeah.. I ordered those silver coated bulbs for the turns signals.
Just have GHL, badges and spacers, spoiler switch and the mighty orange cap :-). Oh yeah.. I ordered those silver coated bulbs for the turns signals.
06-29-2005, 08:18 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
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Yah, I recently got the front side lights taken care of.... I lost them in the move in Nov. but found then two weeks ago.....
I have them in the headlights, tail lights and now in the side markers..... The headlights are the best looking improvement.....
Stelth Bulbs
<wearing my Rotary watch today>
-Eli
I have them in the headlights, tail lights and now in the side markers..... The headlights are the best looking improvement.....
Stelth Bulbs
<wearing my Rotary watch today>
-Eli
07-07-2005, 11:59 PM
#14
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My 01 had an RMS leak within the 1'st year. Found and fixed quickly and easily, never been had an issue since {of any kind}.
My 99 {bought used} blew its engine on the track. Didn't tear down engine {just replaced with crate motor} so not sure exactly what happend, but probably a combo of hard track driving without engine oiler upgrade and some engine gasket in the oil pickup {found during removal} did the trick.
IMHO, I think these engines WITH oiler upgrade are probably as good as 993 engine, but without ... good luck on the track!
My 99 {bought used} blew its engine on the track. Didn't tear down engine {just replaced with crate motor} so not sure exactly what happend, but probably a combo of hard track driving without engine oiler upgrade and some engine gasket in the oil pickup {found during removal} did the trick.
IMHO, I think these engines WITH oiler upgrade are probably as good as 993 engine, but without ... good luck on the track!
