Keep Up with the Maintenance?!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 111
Likes: 5
From: Miami
Keep Up with the Maintenance?!
I keep reading about making sure to "keep up with the 996 maintenance to avoid big bills later." What exactly does that mean?
Is the concern about keeping up with fluid levels, fluid changes, and tune-ups. Or is there something ominous and unspeakable that needs consistent attention, and knowledge of this is only available to the congizanti?
I recently purchased a 1999 NB with a rebuilt engine in it and the IMS was replaced.
Cheers!
Is the concern about keeping up with fluid levels, fluid changes, and tune-ups. Or is there something ominous and unspeakable that needs consistent attention, and knowledge of this is only available to the congizanti?
I recently purchased a 1999 NB with a rebuilt engine in it and the IMS was replaced.
Cheers!
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,913
Likes: 25
We've had our 01 C4 since new and only kept up with the scheduled maintenance while it was under warranty. It's 6 year/60k didn't come until it was 12 and around 63k. Various items that are part of that maintenance had been checked/replaced throughout the years though.
Basically we make sure the fluids are taken care of and when something isn't right we get it looked at. Still runs like a top and still on it's factory IMSB.
Basically we make sure the fluids are taken care of and when something isn't right we get it looked at. Still runs like a top and still on it's factory IMSB.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 10,424
Likes: 229
From: SOcialist republic of CALifornia
There are a few parts that have turned out to be "wear items" that may need replacing, even though they are not part of the regular maintenance schedule:
Water pump (plastic/nylon impeller blades break off as pump ages, bearing goes bad)
Idler roller bearings / belt tensioner
Air/Oil Separator
Coolant recovery tank
Coolant recovery tank cap
There are a few others I've neglected, I'm sure.
In most cars, stuff like the water pump can wait to be changed until it goes out. Of course in our cars, waiting until the bearing starts to go bad results in impeller blades shearing off and finding their way into places where they can cause localized hotspots.
Check your serpentine belt. Wiggle the shaft on the water pump. If it has play, or you can see that water has been slowly leaking from the shaft, it's time to replace it.
If you're getting smoke on startup, it might be time to replace the AOS.
If the rollers don't roll freely, it's time for new bearings. If the tensioner doesn't keep the belt tight...well, you get the picture.
If you can see that water has been leaking around the coolant cap, buy the upgraded part.
If you see a water leak that appears to be originating from above the driver-side exhaust tip, it's probably time for a new coolant tank.
Just opening up the engine compartment and looking around can go a long way toward identifying stuff that needs attention...
None of this stuff is ominous - it just pays to be observant and stay ahead of the entropy that starts to happen as mechanical systems age.
Water pump (plastic/nylon impeller blades break off as pump ages, bearing goes bad)
Idler roller bearings / belt tensioner
Air/Oil Separator
Coolant recovery tank
Coolant recovery tank cap
There are a few others I've neglected, I'm sure.
In most cars, stuff like the water pump can wait to be changed until it goes out. Of course in our cars, waiting until the bearing starts to go bad results in impeller blades shearing off and finding their way into places where they can cause localized hotspots.
Check your serpentine belt. Wiggle the shaft on the water pump. If it has play, or you can see that water has been slowly leaking from the shaft, it's time to replace it.
If you're getting smoke on startup, it might be time to replace the AOS.
If the rollers don't roll freely, it's time for new bearings. If the tensioner doesn't keep the belt tight...well, you get the picture.
If you can see that water has been leaking around the coolant cap, buy the upgraded part.
If you see a water leak that appears to be originating from above the driver-side exhaust tip, it's probably time for a new coolant tank.
Just opening up the engine compartment and looking around can go a long way toward identifying stuff that needs attention...
None of this stuff is ominous - it just pays to be observant and stay ahead of the entropy that starts to happen as mechanical systems age.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 18
From: Miami, FL
#1 CHANGE THE OIL in 5k mile increments not using Porsche's ridiculously scheduled intervals and you may want to spend $20.00 extra and have tested by Lab like Blackstone for peace of mind.
Other than that drive it.
Other than that drive it.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,913
Likes: 25
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,697
Likes: 31
From: Chicago
It all depends on the mileage and what the previous owner replaced. In my case I've done absolutely no maintenance other than oil changes and replacing coil packs since the po took care of all the major things. My mod to maintenance fund has been at least 10:1 fortunatley. 
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 424
Likes: 3
From: Mass
I would add cleaning the radiators annually to the list. To state the obvious, brakes and tires need attention too. If your brake sensors are still connected an idiot light will warn you when your pads are thin. As mentioned above, you really don't want your water pump to fail so replace it before chunks come off it.
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 18
From: Miami, FL
I'm going on 4 years DD and here is list unexpected of repairs:
Alternator
Passenger window regulator
Now, upgrades. That is a longer list
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: North Dallas Suburbs
I have had my fair share of repairs, convertible top cable snapped, actuator issues etc. I also had coil packs replaced at a 70K service. I have spent some $$ but continue to enjoy the car.
Track Day
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
My car is just over 133,000 and I am at 9 months of ownership. I have done the following repairs/maintenance: snow tires, rear summer tires, water pump, motor mounts, and a few interior wiring fixes from the P.O. Add an oil change or two in there and that isn't too bad in my book. I work on my own cars, so nothing has been too expensive. In the next year I see a brake fluid flush, and maybe a set of brake pads. At this point the car is 15 years old, and to me it has reached a point where maintenance just means fixing things as they break.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 679
Likes: 33
If you work on your own cars, I think 996's are really cheap to maintain, especially for what was a supercar of it's day. They are also very easy to work on.
I have spent more maintaining and fixing an 06 Audi A4 than I have maintaining my 996.
I have spent more maintaining and fixing an 06 Audi A4 than I have maintaining my 996.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,423
Likes: 1,807
From: Gig Harbor, WA
For me, "keeping up with maintenance" means changing the oil and filter every 7500 miles, taking care of the preventative stuff before it's an issue (namely the water pump), and then just staying "in tune" with the car and taking the time to look it over every now and then, and paying attention to how the car sounds and drives.
Besides a freak incident with the throwout bearing coming apart on my C4S, both of my 996s have been very good cars and needed minimal repairs outside of the normal maintenance items.
Besides a freak incident with the throwout bearing coming apart on my C4S, both of my 996s have been very good cars and needed minimal repairs outside of the normal maintenance items.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 224
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento
My main problem about doing most of the maintenance on my own is the difficulty of raising the car up on stands. It's a pain or almost impossible for one person to raise the car up on four jacks.
I have 20 acres and at one point i was thinking about digging a 5 ft deep hole with my tractor and driving the car over the hole.....you get what I'm trying to do...
I just don't know how to make it safe.
I have 20 acres and at one point i was thinking about digging a 5 ft deep hole with my tractor and driving the car over the hole.....you get what I'm trying to do...
I just don't know how to make it safe.