So, I just made an offer on a 2005 997s manual, subject to PPI (54,000 kms).

The current owner imported the car to Hong Kong (where I live) from the UK, where they use road salt in winter. We did the PPI at a Porsche specialist yesterday and I noticed more corrosion than you'd expect on the exhaust, the oil pump was quite rusted and some rust on the wheel bolts. But no rust on the body or anywhere else.

The mechanic said I should have the oil pump replaced but other than that, the car was ok. If it's just replacing the oil pump and wheel nuts I'm ok, but I worry these visible things could indicate possible future rust else where. Should I be concerned?

Hong Kong as far as I'm aware is not a rust-inducing environment for cars so I guess it's future here should be ok...?

 

The oil pump?
You're likely talking about vacuum pump cover located at rear end of bank 2 cylinders. It seems to be a common problem for 997 and a good rust protecting paint should take care of it. POR 15 comes to my mind.
UK and HK share one thing. Pretty salty oceans surrounding both islands.
Also 'quite rusted' is rather subjective. Pictures?
Cheers,
=L=

This?

 

Thanks - and good question. I'm pretty sure the mechanic said oil pump but may have been lost in translation. It maybe looked a bit like this - which is the oil separator..



I should say, the car was hoisted up and I was viewing from underneath..

In terms of rust level - it was completely covered in orange brown rust, but mechanic said cost of parts and labour to fix was only around $200, so I'm not concerned about that. But more if it suggested the car had excessive salt exposure and therefore may have rust elsewhere I couldn't see / future rust..

[QUOTE=Luxter;10894179]The oil pump?
You're likely talking about vacuum pump cover located at rear end of bank 2 cylinders. It seems to be a common problem for 997 and a good rust protecting paint should take care of it. POR 15 comes to my mind.
UK and HK share one thing. Pretty salty oceans surrounding both islands.
Also 'quite rusted' is rather subjective. Pictures?
Cheers,
=L=

 

Once a car has been totally immersed in road salt, corrosion going forward is 100% certain and unstoppable. If this is a car you plan on keeping a long while, skip it. There is simply no way to undo multiple seasons of salt damage. They use an adhesion additive to the salt where I live that makes it even more insidious. Since they started using it people have lost brake lines and more, I can't wait to leave here but till I do only the Ford gets the salt bath, it has 12,000 on it and the tailgate is rusting already, it's a 2011, thanks for the salt though NY..

 

Wow, that sounds pretty bad... thanks for the heads up.

 

This is an interesting discussion,being in NY myself, salt is a big concern.

However, I dont know that you can compare a Ford to a Porsche in terms of corrosion resitance. The % of components that are prone to rust on a Porsche are much lower than that of a "normal" car that use more steel in the construction.

After a thorough inspection on a lift I'm convinced that these cars hold up to all weather use very well. My cars previous owner drove it year round in CT and the only rust on it were some exhaust bolts which have been replaced. The suspension components are aluminum, subframes magnesium, body double galvanized, and bolt are zinc coated.

The 99 Audi A4 I had prior saw allot of winter use, had 164k on it and only the steel parts had any real corrosion. The body itself looked phenominal when it was sold (minus rock chips). It had Liquid Glass sealant applied every fall and I sprayed it off at least once a week, but no real special treatment.

 

My Porsche spent 35000 in Michigan and that was enough to create rust and corrosion in and around every nut and bolt under the body. The rear window seal also rusted. Porsche fixed it at no charge. If you have avoid cars driven in areas where salt is used. Oh, when time came to do a simple brake job or clutch it was a nightmare.