brianwad

The water pump failed on my 2001 convertible and I fixed it. I've been checking the oil filter regularly for more signs of trouble. But I decided to get a Used Oil Analysis from Blackstone to quell my fear.

And it worked! I got this great report telling me all is OK. Hope they're right.

I really like that when I called Blackstone to check on progress they picked up the phone!

Ahsai

You may want to remove the personal info on the report

A UOA is good for monitoring the oil condition and bearing wear (e.g., rod bearings, main bearings) but it may not be good to monitor IMSB as it can't detect larger debris that's shed by the IMSB during failure.

For IMSB, the more effective way (short of changing the bearing) is to use the IMS Guardian (a metal chip detector). It may also guard your engine against other failures such as partially broken timing chains.

Chiamac

The best way to do samples, if you're concerned, is to pull one a few times a year. From what I was told (and maybe my engine builder was wrong) is they were best to identify trends rather than just a snapshot. He also said they work best if/when you have concerns about the engine and wear, which would fit well into our engines and our higher mile cars.

Imo000

The best way is NOT read anything on the internet or anywhere for that matter on the M96. I know people that don't want to know and they have a very happy life. The other way is to learn to fix it yourself.

ejdoherty911

I beat the crap out of my 996. I do. I drive it HARD. I DARE, DOUBLE DARE, this car to blow up on me. 117k miles later and the car just keeps on laughing.

alpine003

Just to reinforce your paranoia, an oil sample will do nothing to let you know if your timing chain is going to break or not.

It may break all of a sudden for no reason.

DTMiller

Tick tick boom.

wyovino

Keep up with the maintenance and drive it. If the enjoyment you get from the car is overshadowed by the paranoia you feel, you should probably sell it and by a more pedestrian car.

5CHN3LL

The ONLY way to absolve yourself of any worry involves a Camry.

If you're not willing to go that route, do your maintenance and drive your car.

wyo

What?
issues with the M96 motor?
first I heard of it!

wyovino

Mainly with the sun visor.

Petersa9

I agree, CAMRY!

johnireland

Back when I got my first Porsche...a 964 RS America...I knew nothing about design issues. In fact I was under the impression that Porsches were absolutely bullet proof and so I drove my Porsche and my later 993, as if they were. Nothing ever broke. I serviced them by the book and a little sooner if I was going to track it. And they just didn't break.

Fifteen years later, I heard rumors about something in the newer Porsches but I didn't pay attention and I jumped on a 2003 996 about the same time I also discovered Rennlist. Little by little a broader picture developed. My earlier fantasies of Porsche's being flaw free were wrong...and the phobia about the newer models was just as distorted.

A million things can break on any car. A Porsche is engineered to accept more stress than a Camry. The price of the pleasure is that when/if something breaks it will cost a lot of money. But worrying and waiting for your Porsche to break is like expecting infidelity in your marriage. And obsessing on it will ruin the marriage.

The answer? Have sex with your Porsche often and don't worry about your wife catching you.

Cuda911

Yeah. What he said.

BBA

This. More time driving, less time on the internet.