View Poll Results: Poll: Have you had bore scoring on your 997.1 or 997.2 engine?
Yes, 997.1 (05-08 MY)
143
14.44%
Yes, 997.2 (09-12 MY)
18
1.82%
No, 997.1 (05-08 MY)
526
53.13%
No, 997.2 (09-12 MY)
303
30.61%
Voters: 990. You may not vote on this poll
Poll: Scored cylinder failure for your 997, Y or N? tell us (yr, 997.1 or 997.2)
#31
Yes. 2008 C2S Cab -- some scoring near the top of cylinder 6.
Since owning this car I have been scrupulous about keeping it under 4K until the oil reached 200 F, never tracked it. I have been sending in oil samples to Blackstone for the last several oil changes (@ 4,000-5,000 miles each). The analysis always returned very favorable results.
After noticing the sooty LH tail pipe, I had a leak-down test run (normal results) and the #4 plug pulled to check for wetness on that side. Dry. Same story for the next oil change.
This last oil change was my 36,000 mile major service, and all the plugs were changed. #6 was wet. Since the plugs were all out, they borescoped all cylinders and found the scoring at the top of #6. Blackstone flagged the increased oil consumption and noted an ever-so-slight uptick in Aluminum, which I doubt would have concerned them unless they knew about the oil consumption. Basically, the oil analysis was still completely in bounds.
I am currently driving my car every day (with an extra quart of oil in the boot) and carefully recording the oil consumption to measure the magnitude of any additional changes. My plan is to continue driving it, checking #6 with every oil change.
If I can stretch it to 72,000 miles (the next major service), I will have the engine rebuilt then. I would not be surprised to have to pull the trigger much sooner, though, if the scoring worsens or the valves gunk up too much and throw CELs right and left.
Thinking about either a 4.0 liter bore, or an X51 upgrade when that happens. Saving my pennies, and the savings balance at that time will likely determine my choices. The smart money is on a basic rebuild with LN bearing and oiler system, but no fancy stuff.
Once I became sensitized to the symptoms, I have noticed dark LH pipes on a LOT of 997s. I suspect there may be plenty of milder cases that are deteriorating more slowly, but are not recognized yet.
Since owning this car I have been scrupulous about keeping it under 4K until the oil reached 200 F, never tracked it. I have been sending in oil samples to Blackstone for the last several oil changes (@ 4,000-5,000 miles each). The analysis always returned very favorable results.
After noticing the sooty LH tail pipe, I had a leak-down test run (normal results) and the #4 plug pulled to check for wetness on that side. Dry. Same story for the next oil change.
This last oil change was my 36,000 mile major service, and all the plugs were changed. #6 was wet. Since the plugs were all out, they borescoped all cylinders and found the scoring at the top of #6. Blackstone flagged the increased oil consumption and noted an ever-so-slight uptick in Aluminum, which I doubt would have concerned them unless they knew about the oil consumption. Basically, the oil analysis was still completely in bounds.
I am currently driving my car every day (with an extra quart of oil in the boot) and carefully recording the oil consumption to measure the magnitude of any additional changes. My plan is to continue driving it, checking #6 with every oil change.
If I can stretch it to 72,000 miles (the next major service), I will have the engine rebuilt then. I would not be surprised to have to pull the trigger much sooner, though, if the scoring worsens or the valves gunk up too much and throw CELs right and left.
Thinking about either a 4.0 liter bore, or an X51 upgrade when that happens. Saving my pennies, and the savings balance at that time will likely determine my choices. The smart money is on a basic rebuild with LN bearing and oiler system, but no fancy stuff.
Once I became sensitized to the symptoms, I have noticed dark LH pipes on a LOT of 997s. I suspect there may be plenty of milder cases that are deteriorating more slowly, but are not recognized yet.
#32
Rennlist Member
Always Mobil 1 - 0 W 40
3000 mile intervals.
I am not treating the new engine any differently. I'm hoping lightning doesn't strike twice and that this was an episode of bad luck. I am glad I replaced the engine rather than getting rid of the car as I am still partial to 997 over 991, but if it happens again.....I won't be buying a 3rd engine for the car.
3000 mile intervals.
I am not treating the new engine any differently. I'm hoping lightning doesn't strike twice and that this was an episode of bad luck. I am glad I replaced the engine rather than getting rid of the car as I am still partial to 997 over 991, but if it happens again.....I won't be buying a 3rd engine for the car.
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russm535il (05-07-2023)
#33
Racer
No. "Sort of" the second owner. The original owner traded in the car at a non-Porsche dealership, where it languished and was later re-sold to a second-hand lot specializing in more exotic cars, who sold it to me.
The car had 10,050 miles when I bought it, and about 9,300 miles when the original owner traded it.
I acknowledge that these are possibly suspicious circumstances. I DID have a PPI done, but that did not include a borescope. However, I got good oil mileage for the first 10,000 miles I had the car.
I do know of the car's history (except for the 700-800 miles as a second-hand car), having corresponded with the original owner. It was originally purchased in Spokane, and spent nearly all its life in a concrete underground garage in Seattle up to the point I bought it. He drove it occasionally in the area in nice weather, and made one jaunt to Las Vegas. He also had the oil changed and some minor service at 6,380 miles. Everything by the book.
With respect to weather, it never really gets cold in Seattle -- getting below freezing just 3-4 nights a year. However, as a daily driver I have driven it in freezing weather before.
The car had 10,050 miles when I bought it, and about 9,300 miles when the original owner traded it.
I acknowledge that these are possibly suspicious circumstances. I DID have a PPI done, but that did not include a borescope. However, I got good oil mileage for the first 10,000 miles I had the car.
I do know of the car's history (except for the 700-800 miles as a second-hand car), having corresponded with the original owner. It was originally purchased in Spokane, and spent nearly all its life in a concrete underground garage in Seattle up to the point I bought it. He drove it occasionally in the area in nice weather, and made one jaunt to Las Vegas. He also had the oil changed and some minor service at 6,380 miles. Everything by the book.
With respect to weather, it never really gets cold in Seattle -- getting below freezing just 3-4 nights a year. However, as a daily driver I have driven it in freezing weather before.
#34
No. "Sort of" the second owner. The original owner traded in the car at a non-Porsche dealership, where it languished and was later re-sold to a second-hand lot specializing in more exotic cars, who sold it to me.
The car had 10,050 miles when I bought it, and about 9,300 miles when the original owner traded it.
I acknowledge that these are possibly suspicious circumstances. I DID have a PPI done, but that did not include a borescope. However, I got good oil mileage for the first 10,000 miles I had the car.
I do know of the car's history (except for the 700-800 miles as a second-hand car), having corresponded with the original owner. It was originally purchased in Spokane, and spent nearly all its life in a concrete underground garage in Seattle up to the point I bought it. He drove it occasionally in the area in nice weather, and made one jaunt to Las Vegas. He also had the oil changed and some minor service at 6,380 miles. Everything by the book.
With respect to weather, it never really gets cold in Seattle -- getting below freezing just 3-4 nights a year. However, as a daily driver I have driven it in freezing weather before.
The car had 10,050 miles when I bought it, and about 9,300 miles when the original owner traded it.
I acknowledge that these are possibly suspicious circumstances. I DID have a PPI done, but that did not include a borescope. However, I got good oil mileage for the first 10,000 miles I had the car.
I do know of the car's history (except for the 700-800 miles as a second-hand car), having corresponded with the original owner. It was originally purchased in Spokane, and spent nearly all its life in a concrete underground garage in Seattle up to the point I bought it. He drove it occasionally in the area in nice weather, and made one jaunt to Las Vegas. He also had the oil changed and some minor service at 6,380 miles. Everything by the book.
With respect to weather, it never really gets cold in Seattle -- getting below freezing just 3-4 nights a year. However, as a daily driver I have driven it in freezing weather before.
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dak996 (08-26-2023)
#36
Rennlist Member
Many have been asking to understand how many of the 997 cars have had Bore Scoring failures or cylinder related related failure normally associated with the water cooling system being inadequate or cylinder liner being made of Lokasil. The failures could be due to the water cooling system being inadequate at times, cylinder liner being made of lokasil, or tolerances between piston and cylinder being too tight not taking into account of expansion differences that occur during cold (winter) weather.
List of potential damage can be inclusive of:
- scored cylinders
- scored pistons
- cracked cylinders, D-chunk
- etc etc
Although the people on this board are not necessarily a random sampling of 997 owners it would be interesting to see how many have experienced these failures. A friend just has his engine go and knowing there's a poll for IMS, I think this is a more alarming concern for 997 owners.
Please vote only once for each 997 you own (yes or no).. you can post multiple times but only vote once.
Please include details of your car and engine if it failed (997.1 or 997.2) and when.
Please let us know if there were any mitigating factors (smoke on start-up, increased oil consumption, increased knocking or lifter sounds, etc) that might have led to the failure.
Let us know if your car is a warm climate car, cold climate car, daily driven or weekend cruiser and how much mileage is on it.
Please post only for your car, no hearsay or posting for a friend who doesn't frequent the board.
Please post what was done to rectify the failure if your engine failed (CPO engine, engine out of pocket, used engine, sold, insurance fire, pushed it into a river etc).
Hopefully this will help owners and soon-to-be owners get a sense of how frequently this occurs.
List of potential damage can be inclusive of:
- scored cylinders
- scored pistons
- cracked cylinders, D-chunk
- etc etc
Although the people on this board are not necessarily a random sampling of 997 owners it would be interesting to see how many have experienced these failures. A friend just has his engine go and knowing there's a poll for IMS, I think this is a more alarming concern for 997 owners.
Please vote only once for each 997 you own (yes or no).. you can post multiple times but only vote once.
Please include details of your car and engine if it failed (997.1 or 997.2) and when.
Please let us know if there were any mitigating factors (smoke on start-up, increased oil consumption, increased knocking or lifter sounds, etc) that might have led to the failure.
Let us know if your car is a warm climate car, cold climate car, daily driven or weekend cruiser and how much mileage is on it.
Please post only for your car, no hearsay or posting for a friend who doesn't frequent the board.
Please post what was done to rectify the failure if your engine failed (CPO engine, engine out of pocket, used engine, sold, insurance fire, pushed it into a river etc).
Hopefully this will help owners and soon-to-be owners get a sense of how frequently this occurs.
#39
Cylinder 1 cracked at 63k with previous owner. Owner had complete engine replacement through Alpha Warranty. 2007 Targa 4S. Car was located in Park City, UT but unsure about winter driving habits. All I have are records from SLC Porsche and they state they did the replacement in august of that year. Had other services done throughout the different seasons so would assume previous owner took advantage of the 4S capabilities in the winter.
#40
Rennlist Member
Does oil contribute to listed engine problems?
Many have been asking to understand how many of the 997 cars have had Bore Scoring failures or cylinder related related failure normally associated with the water cooling system being inadequate or cylinder liner being made of Lokasil. The failures could be due to the water cooling system being inadequate at times, cylinder liner being made of lokasil, or tolerances between piston and cylinder being too tight not taking into account of expansion differences that occur during cold (winter) weather.
List of potential damage can be inclusive of:
- scored cylinders
- scored pistons
- cracked cylinders, D-chunk
- etc etc
Although the people on this board are not necessarily a random sampling of 997 owners it would be interesting to see how many have experienced these failures. A friend just has his engine go and knowing there's a poll for IMS, I think this is a more alarming concern for 997 owners.
Please vote only once for each 997 you own (yes or no).. you can post multiple times but only vote once.
Please include details of your car and engine if it failed (997.1 or 997.2) and when.
Please let us know if there were any mitigating factors (smoke on start-up, increased oil consumption, increased knocking or lifter sounds, etc) that might have led to the failure.
Let us know if your car is a warm climate car, cold climate car, daily driven or weekend cruiser and how much mileage is on it.
Please post only for your car, no hearsay or posting for a friend who doesn't frequent the board.
Please post what was done to rectify the failure if your engine failed (CPO engine, engine out of pocket, used engine, sold, insurance fire, pushed it into a river etc).
Hopefully this will help owners and soon-to-be owners get a sense of how frequently this occurs.
List of potential damage can be inclusive of:
- scored cylinders
- scored pistons
- cracked cylinders, D-chunk
- etc etc
Although the people on this board are not necessarily a random sampling of 997 owners it would be interesting to see how many have experienced these failures. A friend just has his engine go and knowing there's a poll for IMS, I think this is a more alarming concern for 997 owners.
Please vote only once for each 997 you own (yes or no).. you can post multiple times but only vote once.
Please include details of your car and engine if it failed (997.1 or 997.2) and when.
Please let us know if there were any mitigating factors (smoke on start-up, increased oil consumption, increased knocking or lifter sounds, etc) that might have led to the failure.
Let us know if your car is a warm climate car, cold climate car, daily driven or weekend cruiser and how much mileage is on it.
Please post only for your car, no hearsay or posting for a friend who doesn't frequent the board.
Please post what was done to rectify the failure if your engine failed (CPO engine, engine out of pocket, used engine, sold, insurance fire, pushed it into a river etc).
Hopefully this will help owners and soon-to-be owners get a sense of how frequently this occurs.
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ghunter997.2 (01-14-2020)
#42
Anybody with an 06-08 3.6L base engine affected by this? I have been Googling for examples and haven't found any. Wondering if I really need an aftermarket warranty on my 06 C2 with 47k. I plan on keeping this car as long as I can.
#43
Rennlist Member
I took possession of my '11 Carrera S (997.2) about a month ago. It's an 18k one owner, and spent it's life in central IL. The previous owner left all his travel info on the nav.- almost all highway miles. The dealer, who did all the maintenance, thought the guy might have stored it winters but wasn't sure. I had the plugs changed last week and the shop bore scope the cylinders. Everything looked great according to the tech.
#44
'05 3.6L just over 60K mi. Car has lived its entire life in hot, tropical climate, driven daily, never tracked, always driven gently (upshifts at 3Krpm) until oil temp over 175-180, oil and filter every 6 months, all other regular maintenance by the book, always gassed with 93 octane at the corner Chevron.
I'm not sure how to answer the poll question, because technically I did not have scoring of the bore itself, just on the piston skirts, which is a precursor to eventual bore scoring.
I'm not sure how to answer the poll question, because technically I did not have scoring of the bore itself, just on the piston skirts, which is a precursor to eventual bore scoring.
i believe cam will be updating the poll to include any all sort of cylinder/piston related damage
perhaps there should be another option up there for those who are aware they have a (relatively mild) issue of some sort; but car still drivable without issues (such as in BenZ case)... this way the poll takes more into effect real life usage and is a little less black and white.
perhaps there should be another option up there for those who are aware they have a (relatively mild) issue of some sort; but car still drivable without issues (such as in BenZ case)... this way the poll takes more into effect real life usage and is a little less black and white.