Capt. Obvious

My C4S is exhibiting the following behavior and I'm worried something might be awry with it. Has anyone else had any similar problems?

- When I start my car in the morning, it starts right up and doesn't make any weird noises
- If I push the gas pedal all the way down, it goes really fast
- All the electronics work (except the little amber LED on the door handle...)
- If I drive it in the rain or leave it outside overnight it doesn't melt
- If I do maintenance or repairs on it myself, it still runs
- When I removed the original IMS bearing at 100k miles, it was in perfect condition
- Nobody seems to give a **** that the headlights aren't round
- It doesn't burn or leak any oil
- It's 10 years old and has over 100k miles on it, but everyone I know who isn't into cars thinks it's only a year or two old

Any ideas what the issue could be?


























* K, fine... I had a couple issues pop up over the last couple months: The original water pump finally went at 96k miles, and at 100k miles the throwout bearing decided to go bad, so I had to do a new clutch sooner than I'd hoped for.

jumper5836

Sounds like you need to get it on the track and find out what she's capable of.

Capt. Obvious

That's the plan! Other priorities/obligations prevented that from happening this year, but I'm hoping to change that once track season is back.

Macster

I suggest you replace all wear items now while your good luck still holds.

Axeman

I think you have a serious problem on your hands. Might have to drive it another 100k miles until you find out what's wrong...

perryinva

And then he woke up......

Lol

Capt. Obvious

All of the usual suspects have been replaced as needed or if deemed worth replacing preemptively while doing other things.

Off the top of my head
- Coolant tank
- Starter
- RMS
- IMSB (LNE)
- Cam chain guides
- Serp belts
- Waterpump
- Thermostat (low temp)
- Oil/filter changes every 7k miles (Rotella)
- Clutch/flywheel

Capt. Obvious

The problem with model-specific car forums is they grossly exaggerate any shortcomings a car has, making even the most reliable of cars look like ticking time bombs.

I've owned a long list of cars that are supposedly guaranteed to turn into a giant paperweight at any possible moment according to their forums. Vehicles of note are:

- 996 C4S (like I even need to list the "major" issues)
- B5 Audi S4 (turbos)
- Ford F-250 with the 6.0L Powerstroke (EGR, headgaskets/head bolts, oil cooler, injectors, coolant, more)
- Second gen Mitubishi Eclipse Turbo ("crankwalking", similar to the IMS issue with M96s, but it happens to the crank)
- Early VW 1.8Ts (oil sludge)

Despite their reputation as unreliable turd boxes, all of the above cars were/are totally reliable and never left me stranded or broken down. On top of that, EVERY one of them had at least 100k miles on the clock at some point during my time owning them.

jumper5836

Some inspiration.

ivangene

OMG - a 996 in the rain??

you know how dangerous that is!! - quick, to the bat cave!

and as for the OP - I have the 2013 track dates - PCA will only host 7 (3 at PR and 4 at Ridge) but T2 has a good number - and if you are solo or above, you can hook up with them - I will be at all the PCA dates...and some of T2's

Sneaky Pete

Fixed it fer yuh...

MiamiC70

I too have been experiencing many of these same symptoms for almost 2.5 years now.
Can anyone please elaborate?
Is there some sort of "Fun Guardian" I can install becasue I may be having way too much?

alpine003

Seriously, post like this shows up quite a bit on Ferrari Chat forums. Funny but true(and more valid for pre 360 Modena owners).

dotframe

I had these same symptoms!!! I kept taking it to the track and finally was able to induce a cat failure! I was really starting to worry but I feel better now that I have something to fix on it.

I don't know what I'll do after this since the rest of the car is perfectly fine.

keytohwy

If you could share with us what oil you use, perhaps we could help you with your problem.