Most Common 996 Porsche Problems Plus Repairs (Photos)
The Porsche 911 is one of the most beautiful cars on earth, but like everything in life, it has its own issues. Here are some of the most common issues you may face when you own a 911.
1. Coolant Loss
The last thing you want is a coolant leak slowly seeping out of your engine. This issue is common in the Porsche 996, and a cracked cylinder liner is usually responsible for it. During the production of the 911, from 1999 to 2005, Porsche used an insert-molding casting in the cylinder liner, which was supposed to save some money in the production process. Unfortunately, due to the vibration of the engine, the liners start cracking, and the best way to fix the problem is to replace the entire engine casing. Look for green liquid under or around your engine to detect this issue. The issue of a coolant leak and links to repairing it with a coolant expansion tank.
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2. Rear Main Seal Leak
This could very well be the most common problem in many of the Porsche models. This problem does not present an immediate threat to the engine; however, the longer you wait, the more severe it becomes. The occurrence of the problem is somewhat unclear, but some think it is due to the crankshaft being poorly supported. This issue is covered in your warranty, so the dealership is responsible for it. Here's a link to the discussion of this topic in the forum.
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3. Cracked Cylinder Head
This is one of the problems you don't want to have in your Porsche, and it happens because of the high torque of the cylinder head's bolts, which makes the engine run too fast and adds stress to the heads, and eventually cracking them. This problem can cause misfiring, as well as foaming around the radiator and exhaust, and to fix it, you are better off visiting a specialized Porsche technician as soon as you possibly can, because it could eventually cost you an engine. Here's a link to forum member Dham55's ordeal with his cracked his problem on a 2000 996.
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4. Chain Tensioner Failure
If you start your car and notice that it is loud, but then the loud, unusual noise disappears shortly after, then you may have a chain tensioner failure. This shouldn't be a problem in Porsche's produced post-2000, and if you have this issue, you can update your chain tensioner with the same design Porsche used after that. This fix is a bit difficult for a novice DIYer, so it's recommended you visit a Porsche specialist. Click this linkTiming chain tensioner replacement thread where members discuss some answers to the problem here.
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5. Water Leak
For the Porsche 911 owners with the Targa top, you may experience a water leak. The water leaks from around the edges, which could be caused by a rubber gasket around the Targa top. The rubber gasket guides the water into a channel, which leads to a water drain. When the drain is dislodged, the water finds its way into the interior. Check the rubber gasket and adjust it properly, ensuring the drain is clear, and this should solve your problem. Here's a link to a forum thread where the members are doing their best to fix the leak problem. Including duct tape.
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6. No Start
A no starting issue could obviously mean a lot of things, for instance, you could have a dead battery, a bad starter, or a number of other issues; however, a common problem that causes the vehicle not to start is the failure of the high-pressure accumulator. When the high-pressure accumulator fails, it causes low stored hydraulic pressure, which prevents the car from starting. Replacing the high-pressure accumulator will fix your problem. Here's a link to a YouTube video where one 996 owner finds and fixes his start issue.
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7. Brake Fluid Leak
A brake fluid leak can easily be detected. If you notice your brake pedal feeling spongy, then you most likely have a brake fluid leak. Some of the Porsche 911s tend to leak brake fluid around the pressure switch, which is located on the brake hydraulic switch, which would sacrifice the brake pressure and cause your brake system to feel different, as well as perform poorly. Simply check around the pressure switch for any leaking fluid, and when you replace it, be sure to bleed your entire system. Here's the link to the aggravation the issue has caused this owner and a solution on how to fix it.
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