Barn996

Tough break on your Porsche Mike, hopefully something other than a IMS failure is the issue. Keep us in the loop, no doubt you are frustrated...fingers crossed.

kevjandon

Just when I come to terms with buying a 996 someone posts another story like this. Sorry to hear about this.

Van

Good point. How about if some doofus like me wrecks it at the track?

kevjandon

So after reading this thread I emailed a guy whos car I was considering. We've been going back and forth for a couple of days. I simply say I'm no longer interested in a 996. Here is his reply, I thought you all would enjoy:

"No problem. Just to let u know, I had the same concern and had the RMS replaced by Porsche with the 2nd generation factory seal which prevents this failure from ever happening. "

Jake Raby

When you hear noise: STOP!

The engine may still be salvageable but it also may not be.. If an engine is shut down immediately we can almost always save them with an IMSR procedure and a thorough cleaning of the oiling system.

Dharn55

Check with Sunset Porsche and Suncoast Porsche. The 3.6 engines were less than $9,000 + core last time I checked.

Shark Attack

Well Kev,
I still jumped. I am just making the IMS part of normal maintence schedule. Right now with being able to pick them up all over the place for under 20K they are a bargain for the bang for the buck. (saw a no reserve ebay unit in NY with 88K on the clock go the other day for 14K and change) If you go in with that attitute I think you will be OK. Also their is a place that makes a ceramic bearing install kit. I am going to do mine every 60K and it will be the first thing done to the car before its even driven.

Pac996

A huge puddle? A rod going through the case or oil system failure is what I'd think. Throwing a rods rattle is been there done that. Oil system failure should of had a high temp or oil warning showing. Pistons ceasing is beyond cuss words. Never been there, at least on the ceasing part.

Best day dream would be the O2 sensors and mass air flow got loose causing engine failure then the tow truck busted the oil pan or slammed the ehaust into the pump breaking it. Then the tow truck takes the hit for the new engine in the wildest of dreams.

We all feel for yah man. Best of luck during the diagnosis.

H964

here is a break down of what happened exactly:
driving in town at speed limit, then i heard a loud rattle from the back ( sounded like a bunch of small metal pieces rattling inside a can), by the time i lowered the music to listen more, the car just died
no cell... after i pulled over, i looked outside the car and everything looked normal, although the rpm gauge was stuck in 3k rpm !! so i started the car again, and it was running with a loud rattle and no cell still. turned it off and towed it home. few hours later, all the oil of the engine was under the car!!
i hope the engine can be saved, dont feel like shedding $15K especially now..
will keep u guys posted, meanwhile if anyone has any input on fitting a 3.8 engine instead, please advice, their prices are lower

joelpirela

so, the collection is going to be making the repair? $13k with labor?

C4CRNA

So if you have done your services with the dealer, I would expect them to go to bat for you and get a discounted replacement.
Please keep us updated

jrgordonsenior

Mike that was me. Porsche had a sale mid December on certain reman motors without a core charge. Your memory is correct, the 3.8 X51 was $8,200 as was your standard 3.6. Unfortunately that was mid December and they sold out of many motors within a few days. At $13k, they're charging you around $11k for the motor. I would use the the info from the sale to try and get them to lower the reman price. Tell them you want the motor for $8,200. Good luck...

Jake Raby

Classic. The rattling in a can sound is the #1 sound that we hear over and over again. This is the symptom that we tell everyone to react to immediately and do not start the engine back up until it has been evaluated. The CEL means nothing, 90% of these failures occur with no CEL illumination.
Sorry this happened to you, of course some people say this failure doesn't occur-

pl

how much would it be for the "best-case" scenario? if OP shutted off engine promptly and never try to start it again?

TT Surgeon

Wow! back when i had my 03 996 c4s, this was almost unheard of, RMS yes, IMS no.
I put 64k on my car and it did have that rattle the last 20k miles or so, dealer always said it was nothing. I almost kept that car too, up until today I always regretted getting rid of it. If i did still have a dog in the 996na fight I would do that bearing trick pronto. Are there any indy machine shops working on these motors yet? That might be the cheapest alternative, an extended winter diy project.
GL either way, I can only imagine your disappointment.
c