I discovered a fluid intermix (coolant in oil and oil in coolant) on my 1999 996 @ 26k. Dealer tore down engine and just informed me I need a new one. Any advice on replacement - new, used, rebuilt? 3.4 vs 3.6? costs? Any help would be appreciated.

I have attatched some pictures of the carnage!

 

Yikes! I think the 02+ engines have a different wiring harness. If cost is not an option at this point (because a warranty is picking up the bill), get a GT3 crate motor. Thats what I would do.

 

get a reman installed by the dealer 2 year warrenty

 

quick question. Was there any warning signs before your engine failed? Any symptoms of "coolant in oil and oil in coolant"?

 

i second screamoleons..... how did you discovered that you needed to check the engine out???

 

an my .02 cents worth, i would go with the 3.6L unless you can fit in the gt3 one.....

 

Was the area determined where the intermix was happening? There is no fix? Any prices on new engines?

 

There was no warning signs and no symptoms. The car runs fine. The only way I discovered it was the coolant light came on. When I checked the coolant resevoir it was all gummy like oatmeal, I then checked the oil fill and could see some coolant in the neck of the filler.
The dealer has had the car for almost two weeks and still can not determine the area of contamination, therefore they are suggesting the new engine.

 

i would guess oil cooler if the car ran ok .

For thosesaying gt3 crate engine keep in mind that the engine is about 3-4 times what a 996 engine is
and you will need a dme and a harness and your trans wont bolt to the engine and you will need a starter and exhuast and and and and and and and

 

The harness is over $7,000.

 

Oil cooler was the first thing they checked, but was O.K.

 

Sorry, just noticed the typo in my original post. Just to be clear, my egine is running better than ever - it's a new engine that i need.

 

My 99 blew a wall chunk at 43k and I got a factory 2001 replacement engine for 13.5k dealer installed with warranty. It's reconditioned, you can't get a new one anymore. If they will take your core then it's about 2.5k less. All the other options are more expensive requiring new DMEs harnesses etc. It sucks but you're not alone...

You could get a used one for 3k - 7k but without the warranty it's not worth it.

 

Wonder if the dealer bothered to check the oil/water heat exchanger?

 

bnewport..... why not a 3.6L?