2002 996 C4: Bore Score, Valves or?
#31
Drifting
"I'd love to get video of the smoke test to post for everyone's edification, but I don't want to be the overbearing repair shop customer. Not sure what the protocol is. In any case, I'll let you know the results tomorrow. "
Wow, that would be FREE advertising on Rennlist in a Thread where Raby says it was the correct diagnostic procedure. You would be doing the Indie a great service to offer such a video posting. That kind of validation is hard to come by .But O.K.
Wow, that would be FREE advertising on Rennlist in a Thread where Raby says it was the correct diagnostic procedure. You would be doing the Indie a great service to offer such a video posting. That kind of validation is hard to come by .But O.K.
#34
We may have given all kinds of crazy ideas, but the key part that everyone seems to have agreed on is that the idea of dropping the motor at this point in time was ludicrous. Far too many other avenues of investigation were available.
Glad it's looking like something simple even if it is annoying.
Glad it's looking like something simple even if it is annoying.
#35
Update 11/3: The mechanic who did the manometer test yesterday performed the smoke machine test today which found a small leak caused by an improperly-installed (Fabspeed) intake hose clamp. Replacing this brought the vacuum test result up to 4 (acceptable range being 4-7) so that issue is solved. He then inspected the AOS which he confirmed is a good OEM part and installed correctly with all hoses etc.. intact.
He then inspected the intake and found that oil is pooling there; a few of the nearby bolts are damp as well. He suggested that the white cold-start smoke from the left exhaust and oily right-side plugs may be due to the fact that 95% of my driving is short trips, which means that the motor doesn't have time to come up to temp, which can create more oil vapor etc.. and can overload the AOS, resulting in oil leaking into the right-bank cylinders. As we know, the right-side cylinder bank exhausts out of the left side.
Mechanic said this therefore appears to be an intake problem, not a cylinder problem. He suggested I run the car longer and harder (5,6 even a little 7K RPM) at least once every week or two which may clear up the problem. I will keep y'all and him posted.
Note: this mechanic was not crazy about the idea of me taking video of the smoke-machine test (sorry Schnell), and generally has his reservations about these forums.
Note #2: Mechanic (who also happens to be a 996 owner) recommended the PCA-sponsored Autocrosses such as the one on 11/13 at nearby El Toro airfield. I think I'll sign up; for the health of my engine of course Anyone want to join? Here's the link:
http://www.where2race.com/autocross-...nty-great-park
He then inspected the intake and found that oil is pooling there; a few of the nearby bolts are damp as well. He suggested that the white cold-start smoke from the left exhaust and oily right-side plugs may be due to the fact that 95% of my driving is short trips, which means that the motor doesn't have time to come up to temp, which can create more oil vapor etc.. and can overload the AOS, resulting in oil leaking into the right-bank cylinders. As we know, the right-side cylinder bank exhausts out of the left side.
Mechanic said this therefore appears to be an intake problem, not a cylinder problem. He suggested I run the car longer and harder (5,6 even a little 7K RPM) at least once every week or two which may clear up the problem. I will keep y'all and him posted.
Note: this mechanic was not crazy about the idea of me taking video of the smoke-machine test (sorry Schnell), and generally has his reservations about these forums.
Note #2: Mechanic (who also happens to be a 996 owner) recommended the PCA-sponsored Autocrosses such as the one on 11/13 at nearby El Toro airfield. I think I'll sign up; for the health of my engine of course Anyone want to join? Here's the link:
http://www.where2race.com/autocross-...nty-great-park
#38
#39
AWDGuy, I am pretty new to these forums (though have been reading daily ever since I got my 996 5-6 months ago). I have no plan to stop my reading and posting, but I can now see the pitfalls.
If it weren't for the sage advice of a few smart dudes on this thread, my motor would likely now be out of the car and in the hands of an incompetent mechanic. I wish I could buy everyone here a round.
If it weren't for the sage advice of a few smart dudes on this thread, my motor would likely now be out of the car and in the hands of an incompetent mechanic. I wish I could buy everyone here a round.
#41
So I was explaining all of this to the original shop, and they wondered why I'm having this problem with this 996 and not during my 10 years with my previous car (99 Boxster) which I drove the same way. That got me to thinking about the Fabspeed cold air intake which I have on this car and whether that could be contributing to this problem. I asked the new mechanic and he said yes it might improve this smoke problem. Any agreement or disagreement on this? If no one disagrees, I think I'll shop for a stock airbox.
#42
I live down the road. I've been meaning to head there at some point
#43
So I was explaining all of this to the original shop, and they wondered why I'm having this problem with this 996 and not during my 10 years with my previous car (99 Boxster) which I drove the same way. That got me to thinking about the Fabspeed cold air intake which I have on this car and whether that could be contributing to this problem. I asked the new mechanic and he said yes it might improve this smoke problem. Any agreement or disagreement on this? If no one disagrees, I think I'll shop for a stock airbox.
#44
Former Vendor
So I was explaining all of this to the original shop, and they wondered why I'm having this problem with this 996 and not during my 10 years with my previous car (99 Boxster) which I drove the same way. That got me to thinking about the Fabspeed cold air intake which I have on this car and whether that could be contributing to this problem. I asked the new mechanic and he said yes it might improve this smoke problem. Any agreement or disagreement on this? If no one disagrees, I think I'll shop for a stock airbox.
I haven't found an aftermarket intake that works worth a damn yet. They all have more compromise than benefit.
#45
Well, the Boxster doesn't use a forged piston that's the same as the 996. I have never seen a Boster engine lose a cylinder. Not once, not ever. This is revealing to that of the root of the 996 cylinder issues.
I haven't found an aftermarket intake that works worth a damn yet. They all have more compromise than benefit.
I haven't found an aftermarket intake that works worth a damn yet. They all have more compromise than benefit.