74carreraturbo

So i literally stumbled on a 1999 996 cabriolet with 119k on the clock that has a possible issue for sale. The car has been owned by the same owner the last 5 years, has some new parts and really needs nothing other than a tire replacement and the issue. The issue is he was backing out of his driveway and heard a small crunch(all of this is coming from him). He thought nothing of it and proceeded to drive and noticed the oil pressure went from 5 to 2 so he stopped and put oil in it. He drove it home and got out and went inside. when he went back outside there was a stream of oil coming from underneath the car. He topped it off and started it and the pressure was back to normal but he said he heard a little more valve clatter than before. He says most anyone else wont notice it but he did because he's had the car so long. He parked it and it's sat for 2 weeks since. He now doesnt want it anymore and i've been able to talk him down to $6500 for the complete car. Is this a worthy risk? If i was to do a complete engine swap could I get my money out of the car if i wanted to sell down the road? $6500 seems really enticing for a chance that its just the oil pan and i can get some life out of her... Thanks for any responses, i'll be anxiously awaiting as i have to move quickly on it!

Rob

pl

No & no
Look up ims problem. Coin in dryer cage noise, oil paddle under the car, all points to the same problem.
If u still want to venture, flat bed it to a porsche shop(don't start the engine, u don't want the car dies under your watch) and spend some money on a ppi. Then u will know for sure

Macster

If you have to ask you shouldn't.

You should already know the issues dealing with a potentially mortally wounded engine. A '99 at that.

Sure you can replace the engine though it will likely have to be a 3.6l engine.

There are issues arising from doing this but not insurmountable.

But you should know of them already.

Walk away from the car.

Imo000

Do you know how to fix it yourself? The price is good for a DIY-er.

Hurdigurdiman

If it was in the best of condition on todays prices the car would be about $20000 because of the high mileage. It is a cab. Even then I would reconsider. From what you describe I would give it a wide birth as there are better cars out there with lower mileage that needs nothing. I have the same year and model and it has 63000 on the clock. (not for sale though). If $6500 is all you can afford then you shouldn't even be looking at a Porsche Carrera in the first place. Hey its your decision anyway but I would say, don't walk away from the car, run like hell.

74carreraturbo

Appreciate the responses, $6500 isnt all I have to spend by any means I just thought it would be a solid project that, after replacing the motor if it is indeed bad I could drive and enjoy for a bit and not lose a bunch of money if I did sell. I dont know much about the 996 cars as both my 911s are air cooled. I will indeed run far away from this one as I am certiainly not a DIYer and sounds like after i have this one fixed I could have had a comparably nicer car from the start.

Thanks guys

fpb111

Pull the oil filter, cut the top and bottom off, spread it out and look for debris. if it is full of small ferrous metal the IMS bearing is most likely the problem. IMS bearings can be replaced. A new bearing is ~$200 - 700 + installation.(Search IMS on Pelican and LN Engineering) If the valves have not hit the pistons yet a bearing and fanatical oil system cleaning would likely get you a few more years out of the engine.

jamren

Seems cheap but if you need a new motor, that is $15k plus the purchase price.

MichaelEverson

Get me the contact info. I will buy it for that price. Worth that just in parts.
Mike

Quadcammer

buy car
insert LSX motor
????
profit

Doug996InKC

+1 (transmission, headlights, calipers, etc. -- not to mention, if the engine could be brought back to life, people are always looking for them)

Imo000

You need to run the engine to be sure the transmission is ok. It wouldn't be moral to sell it without testing it.

KrazyK

New engine with no core is 20K. A decent used engine is 6K to 8K+. A Jake Raby engine is between those depending on type.

Sounds like a great DIY project or engine swap candidate. Good luck!

jml8785

As a data point: I bought a 2002 cab with a "blown motor". I expected to find a bad IMS. Turns out it was a failed cam chain tensioner resulting in a broken timing chain on bank 1. I pulled the motor myself and had a reputable shop do the rebuild. No catastrophic damage but it did need 3 valves and of course the head redone. The problem is the "while you are in there-itus". clutch, redo the other head, rings, air-oil separator, IMS upgrade, mega cleaning because there was loose metal in the engine, oil cooler...it keeps going. Point is I spent $12k and pulled/replaced the motor myself.

BTW, I think the flat rate for R&I that motor is 9.5 hours. Not a small job. Not terrribly difficult, just need patience and the right tools.

I don't think you can buy that car cheap enough to fix it. This is the fate of the 924's and now the NA944's. They cost too much to fix. Great cars but cost more to fix than they are worth. Especially a high mileage one.

Just keep in mind: I have to buy the car for $6500 + fix the engine for $? OR find a swap engine for ~$8000 (which will probably need at least an IMS upgrade)....does this equate to me being on the right side of the value proposition for 99 cab with 119k mi?

Worth it for parts though!

KrazyK

You must read Imre's thread.