T2

To all,

My 2003 996 Turbo X50 just passed by 410,000 miles.

Last summer we dropped the engine - at that point it had a couple of minor oil leaks and one turbo's internal waste gate was broken. It was decided to rebuild the engine while it was out.

This car up until that point had and subsequent has used M1 0W-40 for better than 95% of the mileage. I had used Motul 8100 5W-40 for a few of the last oil changes prior to the rebuild. I am religious about changing the oil every 5,000 miles. Also it should be noted that my commute is about 15 minutes of 60 MPH to and from the home every day - nice warm up and nice cool down.

What we found when we got into the engine rebuild was virtually no wear on any of the internals - 2-3 of the bearings on the connecting rods had very light shadowing - VERY light. The rest of the internals were in remarkably great / perfect condition. My concern with the mileage was more of fatigue of the parts not of the condition - for that reason we rebuilt the engine.

This oil change history, what we saw when we opened the engine and the oil I used for those miles is why I am sold on M1 0W-40.

This is one data point - there are many others out there.

Good luck and drive the car already!!

T2 - continues to knock on wood........

jpflip

Amazing T2. Thanks for sharing this encouraging story. You did not found any worn parts at the end of the camshaft for vario cam oil passage? Some of the rings in there got tendency to score the housing….

powdrhound

How much if any track time on the engine or is it predominantly a daily driver. Stock turbos and ECU? What type of climate?

"02996ttx50

your reports continue to be inspirational. M1 should send you a jacket or a cap.. something!

T2

To all,

None of the parts we took out showed any excessive wear, anywhere. Call it luck, call it good cool down and warm ups. We were all amazed.

This car is a daily driver and sees 6-12 DE's per year, climate is typical four season weather and it is driven all year in all conditions.

The turbos and ECU are all stock as is the exhaust. The only mods the car has are Baileys DV's, I put protomotive intercoolers in about 2 years ago and the suspension is a KW Clubsport with GT-3 sways and adjustable drop links.

T2....continues to knock on wood!!

DaveCarrera4

Excellent report, these engines are amazing! how did the engine sound cold start and warm? Did you have the noisy rattling when hot?

2002 Turbo - Basalt Black Metallic / 2003 Carrera 4S - Speed Yellow / 1955 356 Continental 1500 - Rust Red

T2

Dave,

Yes typical noises I have heard from other 996 turbo's.

T2

DaveCarrera4

then based on your findings at tear down, my worry factor about the hot engine idle noisy rattle just flew out the window! Thanks much.

2002 Turbo - Basalt Black Metallic / 2003 Carrera 4S - Speed Yellow / 1955 356 Continental 1500 - Rust Red

JG 996T

I suspect warm up cool down played a major part in engine longevity.

And, if I remember correctly, you're still on the original PCCB rotors! Amazing

T2

JG,

I actually replaced the front PCCB rotors and all four calipers about 18 months ago. Went with the current new part number for the fronts - it's now a 997 part. The rear rotors are still original.

T2

James88

T2

Am l correct in thinking that you drove the car reasonably easy.

mldgman

6-12 DE's a year is not reasonably easy!

James88

Wow ....now that's amazing !!!

T2

James,

Lets just say the car only gets driven easy when it's parked in the garage which is about 8 hours a day.......

T2

James88

Now that's my kind of car, this gives me so much more confidence in the reliability of these cars especially if they are properly maintained.