mbaran

UPDATE: I saw the car, check out the new post on page 3

Some of you may have seen I've been looking to pick up a 996tt in the last month or so.

I found a car which is pretty local to me, two owners, about 80k miles. Owner states they've had "about 3 total" popouts since owning the car since 19,000 miles/2009. Also said that the clutch was replaced and he hasn't had any since.

Is this box still a liability? Would a gbox detent be good insurance, or should I stuff $4000 away for a rebuild "when the day comes"?

s65e90

It may be okay and it may not. You're also taking the seller at their word so caveat emptor. Some have had great results with a detent even post pop-out. If done prior, it most likely will never come up. Save the money on the gbox piece and get the same results with a $.40 cent ball bearing that will do the same thing (apply more pressure on the detent spring). Very worthwhile mod while giving a more sure, locking feeling in gear.

mbaran

appreciate the quick reply!

napoleon1981

Once the popping out starts, the teeth are damaged. If the car is local you could take it on a test drive and do the pop out test several times. However, even if you can't get it to pop, I would still only proceed if the car was a really good deal (figuring a tranny rebuild is in the near future).

mbaran

I think the price is pretty good, two owners, 80k miles, $37500, but if it needs a rebuilt box that certainly skews the initial cost.

Will try to get it to pop out, and see what happens. I'm also interested in the fact that since the R&R to do the clutch, it has not popped out since. I don't yet know how many miles that's been since the clutch job.

"02996ttx50

If it done it 3 times that they SAY. It's done it more and it's not done doing it !

If this is the must have car for you? Yes stash the 5 grand away to repair when you want/need

If the problem intensifies? You can always just rest your hand on the shifter while traversing downhill in 2nd. It's a pita but it WILL prevent it from popping out.

Also this box will at some point or other need to have the bearings replaced so you might be able to live with it ( again IF it became a regular occurrence ) and then just take care of a new 2nd gear synchro and whatever else might be needed as a "while you're they're".

Lastly if you turn out be a short term owner? It could all end being someone's future issue lol

GL

mbaran

Is there anything that's remotely possible in an R&R of the trans that might have caused it to lie dormant? I find the "not since the clutch job" comment to be interesting, since nothing I've read has ever aligned with that. Possible adjustment to the linkage?

"02996ttx50

Possibly if the synchro was not TOO ROUNDED? they might have installed a detent or even the 8? MM ball bearing preventative "fix"

Either can/will help but only depending upon the severity of the worn dogring/synchro.
When they get really bad ( eg constant pop ) there are ( infrequent ) occasions when the entire 1/2 setup needs replacing.

2nd hear pop isn't that big a deal to FIX its the labor involved that's the issue via a vis $$$

mbaran

I'll certainly see if I can review the service paperwork if I go look at the car. It was serviced solely at Porsche dealerships (as stated in the ad at least) so I am not sure if they're installing detents or BBs there.

It's about a two hour drive to see the car, so I am trying to get as much info as possible before deciding whether to head up.

"02996ttx50

ADD btw and not for nothing?

I personally wouldn't buy an 80k mile turbo with known 2nd gear popout unless it was DIRT cheap and I was gonna immediately get inside the box anyway like building a track weapon/toy

But that's just me. Again GL

Add: but I WOULD go check it out if it was two hours away!!

napoleon1981

What I find somewhat strange is that the owner opted to replace the clutch, which requires removal of the transmission, but decided against addressing the transmission issues. This would have been a great time to do it. How long ago was that clutch replaced?

"02996ttx50

Porsche dealerships are NOT installing detents or any other "workaround" mccgyver fixes. That I can assure you 1000%

"02996ttx50

Napoleon.. presumably because dropping the box to r&r the clutch and then opening up the g50 box are two entirely different labor intensive scenarios. To answer your reasonable question... I'm sure that's why the issue was left unaddressed. It's all about the Benjamin's

mbaran

I'm waiting to hear back from the seller on how many miles on the current clutch. He has owned it since it had 19k miles, so mostly it's entire life. Pricing for these cars continues to baffle me. It's at $37.5 which from what I am seeing is "reasonable" for the condition/mileage.

There are a few similar mileage cars (60-80k) priced higher (47-50k) but they don't sell and the owners are pretty unwilling to budge, and there are some ragged out higher mileage cars in the 35-39k range.

I figured winter would make it a buyers market

"02996ttx50

It will and does.. presuming all else about the car checks out/meets with your approval?

I think the combination of your willingness to anticipate an eventual 4/5k repair? Coupled with this info as a potential bargaining chip?

would probably tip the scales in your favor and make you a buyer that did his due diligence.

I bought my 2nd 996tt with slightly less miles and within a year or so needed to open the box to r&r bearings. It would've been NBD to replace any other worn parts but all gears and synchros were in perfect condition.

Just a data point.