Mabuhay

I'm doing a PPI real soon. I read horror stories about engines being replaced and the prospective buyer not knowing about it. Does anyone know where the engine serial number / VINI is located so that I can compare it to the chassis VIN number?

Also, is it unreasonable to ask for an engine leak down test during a PPI?

Many thanks in advance!

aj986s

Not sure about the location of various number stampings, but IMHO, a leak down test is probably advisable on any purchase over $10K.

Jake Raby

The engine number is etched into the block at the oil sump plate/ block parting line on a boss that sits at a 45* angle to the block.

Edgy01

There is no point is looking at the engine number and comparing it to anything. it won't match or be even close to matching the VIN. Look for it from the left side of the car. On a sort of tab. Use a flashlight. Readable from the left side (right side up)

Mabuhay

Hmmmm... that doesn't sound right. The engine # is supposed to match the VIN #.

Loren

No the engine number should match the group of engine numbers that match model year production run. Engine numbers are independent of chassis numbers.

Mabuhay

WOW - so how would I know if the engine has been replaced? Stealers won't discuss warranty issues since it contains "personal customer data"....

LVDell

That's BS. They can give you the warranty/repair history of the car without divulging the prior owner info. I'd move on if somebody was not forthcoming.

Divot

Why would it bother you if they replaced the engine? What sort of horror stories did you hear? I would be more concerned with the original engine, at least in early 996s.

A new engine is IMHO, a good thing. I would pay a little more because the problem had already been removed and replaced.

Oh, and it is reasonable (and prudent) to ask for a leakdown test. You just have to pay for it.

Mabuhay

Well, I'm thinking that anytime an engine is replaced from the original, it devalues the car.

SH || NC

Not if its from the factory and was installed by a dealer, IMO of course

Torontoworker

Well in any OTHER model car you would be correct - but in the 996 world we like to be different...

Torontoworker

Belive it or not - but it IS PCNA policy. Not to say you can't have a *friendly* dealer help you out here, but officially (and of course if they don't know you from Adam) they cannot do it. You can go move around to others all you want - but the person refusing to let you see data from another owner, wasn't doing it because he wanted to pizz you off.

soverystout

I am the third owner of my car. When I showed the complete dealer history of my car to the service managerat my dealer, he said, "how did you get that?" I put it back in my pocket. The 2nd owner asked for it from his dealer and he gave it to me when I purchased the car.

It is policy that they do not provide this info to owners who are not the original and current owner of the car.

I'm glad I have mine though.

Rickker

Indeed it is, and here is how to decipher it:

- Last 5 digits on from the right are the specific serial number
- 6th digit from the right is the code for the year of production
- 7th and 8th digits from the right are for type of engine (NA or turbo, and for the number of cylinders

Back to the year of production (6th digit from the right end)

W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
3 = 2003
4 = 2004
etc.

On my replacement engine, the stamped (or etched) number appears like this:

M96/3066309588

The 6th digit from the right is a "3", denoting the engine was produced in 2003.

The above comes from page 599 of "Porsche 996 - The Essential Companion"

Hope this is helpful.

...Rickker