Common engine failure signs?
05-24-2007, 09:44 AM
#1
Track Day
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Common engine failure signs?
I'm loving this site.
Can you guys tell me what to watch for with the most common engine problems in the '99- 996?
I've read something about water and oil mixing (head gasket?).
Not having any issues now, but just so I can relax and enjoy.
Cheers, A.
Can you guys tell me what to watch for with the most common engine problems in the '99- 996?
I've read something about water and oil mixing (head gasket?).
Not having any issues now, but just so I can relax and enjoy.
Cheers, A.
05-24-2007, 11:24 AM
#6
Drifting
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Another Ex pat Brit in SoCal
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Cracked block leading to intermix - coolant contaminated with oil and creamy deposit under the oil filler cap. May see some 'steam' from the exhaust on cold starts, lasts more than a few seconds. May also see loss of coolant over time. - Head replacement required - dealer will usually say complete engine replacement.
Cylinder lining failure - sudden catastrophic - may see coolant being forced out of coolant tank under pressure or even out of exhaust system - hydraulic engine lock. In the UK you can have the cylinder re-lined - US drives replace engine.
Intermediate shaft failure - sudden catastrophic - severe mechanical noise rapidly followed by stall. New engine is dealers solution.
Two good write-ups linked from this webpage:
http://www.autofarm.co.uk/engines/water_cooled/press
Cylinder lining failure - sudden catastrophic - may see coolant being forced out of coolant tank under pressure or even out of exhaust system - hydraulic engine lock. In the UK you can have the cylinder re-lined - US drives replace engine.
Intermediate shaft failure - sudden catastrophic - severe mechanical noise rapidly followed by stall. New engine is dealers solution.
Two good write-ups linked from this webpage:
http://www.autofarm.co.uk/engines/water_cooled/press
Trending Topics
05-24-2007, 03:12 PM
#8
Drifting
good summary. 
Originally Posted by cdodkin
Cracked block leading to intermix - coolant contaminated with oil and creamy deposit under the oil filler cap. May see some 'steam' from the exhaust on cold starts, lasts more than a few seconds. May also see loss of coolant over time. - Head replacement required - dealer will usually say complete engine replacement.
Cylinder lining failure - sudden catastrophic - may see coolant being forced out of coolant tank under pressure or even out of exhaust system - hydraulic engine lock. In the UK you can have the cylinder re-lined - US drives replace engine.
Intermediate shaft failure - sudden catastrophic - severe mechanical noise rapidly followed by stall. New engine is dealers solution.
Two good write-ups linked from this webpage:
http://www.autofarm.co.uk/engines/water_cooled/press
Cylinder lining failure - sudden catastrophic - may see coolant being forced out of coolant tank under pressure or even out of exhaust system - hydraulic engine lock. In the UK you can have the cylinder re-lined - US drives replace engine.
Intermediate shaft failure - sudden catastrophic - severe mechanical noise rapidly followed by stall. New engine is dealers solution.
Two good write-ups linked from this webpage:
http://www.autofarm.co.uk/engines/water_cooled/press
05-24-2007, 03:14 PM
#9
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NEast Florida
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's funny really...I'm reading all these comments, and there are the majority of us owners (not just here, also on other forums) who furiously criticize Consumers Report's survey results that states that the 996/997's are UNreliable.
If this is not called UNreliable, then how do you define it? It doesn't really matter if majority of the engines are fine, just a big handful of failures is enough to make them unreliable.
If this is not called UNreliable, then how do you define it? It doesn't really matter if majority of the engines are fine, just a big handful of failures is enough to make them unreliable.
05-24-2007, 03:59 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by CosmosC4S
It's funny really...I'm reading all these comments, and there are the majority of us owners (not just here, also on other forums) who furiously criticize Consumers Report's survey results that states that the 996/997's are UNreliable.
If this is not called UNreliable, then how do you define it? It doesn't really matter if majority of the engines are fine, just a big handful of failures is enough to make them unreliable.
If this is not called UNreliable, then how do you define it? It doesn't really matter if majority of the engines are fine, just a big handful of failures is enough to make them unreliable.
05-24-2007, 04:57 PM
#13
Instructor
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually there are several reliable signs of imminent engine failure and here they are:
1)A smell of burning oil after a "Vigorous drive"
2)Fluctuations in oil pressure on the oil pressure guage.
3)A prolonged amount of time for the engine to warm up in the morning (with high reving at startup)
4)A hesitancy when shifting into second gear.
These are just the most common signs and when you see them (or smell them) it's time to panic.
Just messin wit ya. These things happen to all Porsches. They are part of the "Porsche experience". There are no warning signs of failure it just happens.
1)A smell of burning oil after a "Vigorous drive"
2)Fluctuations in oil pressure on the oil pressure guage.
3)A prolonged amount of time for the engine to warm up in the morning (with high reving at startup)
4)A hesitancy when shifting into second gear.
These are just the most common signs and when you see them (or smell them) it's time to panic.
Just messin wit ya. These things happen to all Porsches. They are part of the "Porsche experience". There are no warning signs of failure it just happens.
05-24-2007, 06:05 PM
#15
Race Car
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
Posts: 3,980
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Speaking from (my) experience.
Car was running just fine, cruising along the highway 5th gear 120KMH smooth as silk. Passenger and I hear a flop flop, you hear that I say, yup she says, slow down start pulling over to the shoulder engine stops dash lights up and thats it......
Fluid leaking out the back when we got out.
I am told it is an intermediate shaft failure.
Has been over week now and still suffering from P-Car withdrawls.
Geoff
Car was running just fine, cruising along the highway 5th gear 120KMH smooth as silk. Passenger and I hear a flop flop, you hear that I say, yup she says, slow down start pulling over to the shoulder engine stops dash lights up and thats it......
Fluid leaking out the back when we got out.I am told it is an intermediate shaft failure.
Has been over week now and still suffering from P-Car withdrawls.
Geoff