if it is a 997.2 (i.e. 2009-up)

check out this thread for more on 997.1 vs. 997.2: https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...s-997-2-a.html

 

And that's not just a drop in replacement for a 996 right?

Rectorbill, if it is a .1 engine (which I believe it would have to be) then it still has an IMSB. It should have the larger single row bearing, but if so it will will be the captured variety which means that you won't be able to take reasonable steps to prevent further issues (e.g. the motor has to be disassembled). The good news, however, is that the larger captured bearing seems to have a much lower failure rate than the 996 single row bearing.

 

I was unaware of the 997.1 and 997.2 engines, but I did ask them if it was the current production and they said it was. This would indicate that it is a 997.2. However, they may not have know what they were talking about. So the 997.2 won't fit into a 996? What happens when all the 997.1 engines are gone?

Appreciate everyones inputs!

 

I'm not positive it won't work, but at a minimum I expect it would also need a new ECU and probably a different wiring harness. The .2 has the 9A1 motor which continued into the 991.1. The 997.1 had the M97 motor which is very similar to the M96 (I think it is just some internal differences, but again don't quote me).

Same thing as there being no more M96 motors. Prices will skyrocket on the few left in someone's stock, there will be a bigger market for used motors, and Jake and other engine builders will be getting a lot more work.

 

Just got a call from Porsche. Easy Care has looked at the engine and is proposing to ship a remanufactured engine from LKQ. It would be a remanufactured 996 engine, so it will have the same IMS defect as the engine that just failed. The engine is covered by a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty and I would be covered for another 3 years or so beyond that with my Easy Care warranty.

I did ask if remanufactured engine had anything to minimize the risk of an IMS failure like the LN bearing. He did not know and would not know until he receives the engine. I asked about putting in the LN bearing while the engine was out of the car and he said Porsche will not allow them to do that.

If I want a new engine, I need to pay the difference ($12K remanufactured vs. $25K new).

The main issue I have with this is just that I'm getting the same defect back in the car, but I guess I knew what I had when I purchased the car and it is the reason I got the extended warranty.

I put the engine shipment on hold till I can get some opinions.

 

Get the remanufactured in, and then sell the car. Cut your losses. By a 997.2.

Or.

Get the remanufactured engine in, and do the L&N upgrade on your $3,000-ish dimes and minimize you losses.

 

Sounds like a winning situation to me. Worse case, drive it close to 4 years and sell it or trade it in.

 

I did have a thought and just got off the phone again with Porsche. Why not replace this engine with a remanufactured 997 engine instead? The cost difference can't be much and it would minimize my risk (and the warranty company's risk) of having to deal with this all over again. Porsche clearly said that the engine they have is a 996 engine.

Another interesting fact is that I went to LKQ online and they claim they don't have any remanufactured 996 or 997 engines for my car, so I'm not sure where Easy Care found one so fast. It has shipped (reportedly from Wyoming) and will be here in 3 days.

 

The wiring harness and DME from your current 996 won't mate to a 997 motor.

 

Yeah that the dealer won't replace the bearing is not a surprise. Many dealers won't install non-OEM parts.

Yeah you've got the warranties so just enjoy it as is and don't worry about it for a few years. Just make sure to pay close attention to the oil during changes and get them involved ASAP if anything shows up. After the warranty runs out if you still want to keep the car, then consider replacing the bearing.

Before it goes in the car you might talk to the dealer about having the bores scoped from the top and bottom. You'll have to pay for it (including a new oil pan seal), but I think it's worth it to be sure of the state before it goes in your car. Unfortunately "reman" doesn't always mean the same thing so it could be anything from a motor that has been rebuilt with a bunch of new parts and liners to one that has had a few parts on the outside replaced.

 

I could be wrong on this, but I've been under the long-term impression that LKQ is basically a salvage/parts reselling operation, and I'd be very concerned about their loose use of the term, "remanufactured." I'd be quite surprised if that was anything more than a steam clean, oil/filter change, and possibly a new set of plugs (if even that much).

 

This brings up a good point. Considering they are getting the engine from lkq, you may want to ask Jake Raby if he knows by chance if the replacement engine program he helped to setup also extends to lkq or not.

I would also make sure that your warranty doesn't have a engine replacement limit and that you'll still be covered if the "new" engine fails too for whatever reasons, including what has been mentioned above.

 

EVERYTHING I have read says that to be labeled "remanufactured" the manufacturer must do quite a bit of machining and work on the engine and it must pass OEM tests. What you are describing is "used". Then there is rebuilt. We are talking "remanfuctured".

Is there a basis for your concern?

 

One additional note - I wouldn't put the LN bearing in until the Easy-Care warranty expires. I have every confidence that in the event of a subsequent issue (with any engine component) they would use this modification to void the warranty.

 

Well this could turn into a semantics debate, but to me "remanufactured" must come directly from Porsche with a designated "AT" stamp on the engine block as they do to all their "remanufactured" engines. If the replacement motor doesn't have the "AT" stamp as part of the serial number on the block, then it wasn't "remanufactured" from the Porsche factory.