2000 996 with cracked block - repair or junk?
12-01-2010, 07:04 PM
#61
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Nope, neither of those. I can't recall precisely what he said on the phone, and I'm obviously going to be talking to him again, but it was along the lines of the following:
You have a bad crack in either the block or the head, and basically all the coolant had drained/been burned up in the engine. There are three repair choices:
1) tear down the engine, repair / replace the broken component, and reassemble.
2) buy a used replacement engine
3) Buy a new engine from Porsche.
1 would be cheapest but still not cheap (price will vary based on what's broken, but assume 5K to 10K with labor and all). He also sounded "leery" of 1 especially if it involved welding a damaged head back together or work of that type. He just didn't sound confident that this sort of thing would hold up over time.
2 and 3 were described to me as more expensive (3 being highest, of course), but definite options.
The other thing he told me to consider is that he often sees 996 manual transmissions fail by the time they get to 100-125K miles. I'm at 107K with the original transmission (new clutch, though), and he doesn't want to sell me a new engine then have me needing a $6K transmission 6 months later, at least not without warning me up front.
I definitely think he's giving me a reasonable set of options, but since NONE of them are particularly cheap I'm soliciting further thoughts before I make any final, expensive decisions.
Bob
You have a bad crack in either the block or the head, and basically all the coolant had drained/been burned up in the engine. There are three repair choices:
1) tear down the engine, repair / replace the broken component, and reassemble.
2) buy a used replacement engine
3) Buy a new engine from Porsche.
1 would be cheapest but still not cheap (price will vary based on what's broken, but assume 5K to 10K with labor and all). He also sounded "leery" of 1 especially if it involved welding a damaged head back together or work of that type. He just didn't sound confident that this sort of thing would hold up over time.
2 and 3 were described to me as more expensive (3 being highest, of course), but definite options.
The other thing he told me to consider is that he often sees 996 manual transmissions fail by the time they get to 100-125K miles. I'm at 107K with the original transmission (new clutch, though), and he doesn't want to sell me a new engine then have me needing a $6K transmission 6 months later, at least not without warning me up front.
I definitely think he's giving me a reasonable set of options, but since NONE of them are particularly cheap I'm soliciting further thoughts before I make any final, expensive decisions.
Bob
12-01-2010, 07:08 PM
#62
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Thanks. That's exactly why I started this thread, to solicit opinions on different options. This car (or it's replacement) is my daily driver, so I do need something reliable and consistent. Fixing it is definitely an option, but buying a lightly used or brand new replacement is also tempting, especially moving to a '997. Since I'm averaging twice as many miles per clutch as per engine, it doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling about the engine :-)
12-01-2010, 08:13 PM
#64
Guilty. Were I to keep this car for the long haul I was going to do the IMS upgrade as preventative maint and call it good. I imagine whoever buys it from me will do the same. I'd have to think though that at this mileage there is a bit of a safe window to just drive the car and enjoy it.
Cheers,
Joe
12-01-2010, 08:46 PM
#65
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That is a beautiful 997, probably the most attractive Carrera I've seen.
RE: IMS, I haven't done one during a clutch change for a customer (was not requested), I didn't do it on my own car during clutch replacement (both @~100k miles) either. Some have failed, most have not, and probably will not through the useful lifespan of the car.
As for the broken 996, sorry to hear your troubles. Transmission failure is rather rare on these cars too, I certainly don't think there's a significant number of failures by 100k miles. I think it would make better financial sense to fix the car. That said, if you can easily afford to sell as is, and your time is in short supply, selling now could be more attractive. In that case, please drop me a PM (even if you end up trading it in). Best of luck regardless.
RE: IMS, I haven't done one during a clutch change for a customer (was not requested), I didn't do it on my own car during clutch replacement (both @~100k miles) either. Some have failed, most have not, and probably will not through the useful lifespan of the car.
As for the broken 996, sorry to hear your troubles. Transmission failure is rather rare on these cars too, I certainly don't think there's a significant number of failures by 100k miles. I think it would make better financial sense to fix the car. That said, if you can easily afford to sell as is, and your time is in short supply, selling now could be more attractive. In that case, please drop me a PM (even if you end up trading it in). Best of luck regardless.
12-01-2010, 10:14 PM
#66
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yeah but ya know... If you fix it.. You know what you have. You buy something else. You are back to square one. Unless you are going to go buy a NEW one.
12-02-2010, 12:42 PM
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12-02-2010, 01:20 PM
#68
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there is no "upgrading" the newer IMS bearings... the enlarged bearing cannot be removed thru the exsisting hole in the block - the only thing that can be done is to remover the sealing ring - just saying
sure we dont need to beat this horse though - right
sure we dont need to beat this horse though - right
12-02-2010, 05:41 PM
#70
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Probably about right. I paid $ 4.8k each for the 2-99's I bought in June 09' from BH Porsche just before they went to auction. Both had blown motors, 44k and 55k miles respectively, both dark blue, one with grey and one with beige leather interiors, and both were in beautiful condition....
12-02-2010, 09:03 PM
#74
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Probably about right. I paid $ 4.8k each for the 2-99's I bought in June 09' from BH Porsche just before they went to auction. Both had blown motors, 44k and 55k miles respectively, both dark blue, one with grey and one with beige leather interiors, and both were in beautiful condition....
Although I love the way my car looks, it would be cool to throw my 500+ hp motor/trans in one. It would be nice to have the newer stuff my old beast lacks.
12-03-2010, 01:34 AM
#75
FYI a cheap motor for sale in dallas
$4,500 for a 55k miles engine
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/2069997955.html
$4,500 for a 55k miles engine
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/2069997955.html