flohmann

Yes, the dreaded coolant pipe failure has caught up to me, and after only 2 months of ownership, too! Regular street driving, just starting a nice drive up to Alice's Restaurant. A friend was driving my 996tt, I was trailing in his Miata. Quite dramatic to see all the coolant dump and the big plume happen!

I have no desire to re-open the ancient religious battle between pinning and welding. Instead, I'm hoping to find recommendations for San Francisco area shops that have regular experience fixing this, whichever method.

Any ideas? (And yes, Sharkwerks is already on my list to call, but they are a bit far from me.)

And, while we're at it, any recommended towing services?

ReidN

Sorry bro. Hit me 1 month into ownership too. What ever you decide when they drop the motor do everything's area pump hoses plugs coil packs. Good time for a lot of maintenance.

996TWINS

Here is my list:

Coolant pipe fix
Expansion tank
Water pump
Check valves (I thought there was only one, but there are two)
Oil pressure sending unit
Metal turbo oil feed lines checked
Waste gate vacuum lines
5 bar fuel pressure regulator
Clutch kit
Slave cylinder (found it was leaking a bit with the engine removal. Bad news/good news)
Pressure accumulator
Spark plugs
Water hoses
Fuel filter
Air filter
Crankshaft seal
Boost pressure test
Wastegate adjust
Endless brake fluid
Coolant
Throttle body seal
Transponder
Coil packs
Solenoid brackets
Engine mounts (RSS)
Trans mount (997 version)
Multi-rib belt
2nd gear detent

flohmann

I suppose I may as well do the 60k major service 7k early, if I'm going to do plugs and coil packs. Water pump and expansion tank sound mandatory based on other threads. Not sure it's worth doing the clutch, however, since mine is fine.

fly2low

to answer your question - Sharkwerks

32krazy!

gmg in cali

ReidN

Nice list!

flohmann

Yeah, GMG is a wee bit far for me, as it's in So. Cal. :-)

Any experience here with Heyer Performance in Mountain View?
http://heyerperformance.com/
"Our people are extremely experienced experts in the field and their credits include 3 mechanical support stints at Le Mans in factory Porsche teams."

Or Pacific Power Motorsports in Walnut Creek? (h/t to seanl for that recommendation)

RangerDick

Tony Heyer is a great guy and super knowledgeable. I remember speaking to him about this problem and he did not have any specific solution for this. Not sure if you will get the engine repaired like you want. But I am not knocking Tony in any way. He really knows Porsches, his shop is very clean and organized and he is a reputable guy.

vjckamath

Where did you end up going for the fix? Sharkwerks is a few months out for appointments. Looking for alternatives, other than dealers, in the Bay Area.

BBiAutosport

If Sharkwerks is booked that far out, here is alternative shop that we recommend to perform this job. They are one of our authorized dealers in the area and the they have our BBi Coolant Pipes in stock. The person to contact there would be Chasem.

SP Automotive Group
1840 National Ave
Hayward, CA 94545
Phone: (510) 782-0188 Email: info@spmsracing.com

- Jerry@BBiAutosport.com

ducnine

How many miles were on your cars when this happened? Is it mileage dependent or more an age thing?

Road King

I haven't had mine done yet, but I do know that Pacific Power Motorsports in Walnut Creek routinely does the coolant pipe fix.

http://pacificpowermotorsports.com/

I'd have no problem with them dropping my engine out when the time comes...

"02996ttx50

"s car go" in san rafael, if sharkwerks is booked.

mooty

it u haven't done it
do
it NOW

u can spin out
u can wrap the head
u can destroy the deck
it will happen. I have a lot of these cars.
it has nothing rondo with mileage
or
age or how u drive
them. it will happen