britdave

To get rid of the "stickyness" on my 996 radio knobs, I just removed them,cleaned them with soap and water,then put on some Griotts garage vinyl & rubber dressing,and rubbed that in ,now all is fine ! Britdave.

Does anyone know the "special link" to Sunset parts web site ? I go to their regular site ,where it says "Parts" but it really shows nothing but a contact phone number ? I thought there was an actual web site that shows all the parts and prices ?

The one I get is useless. I want to order a new oil drain plug for my 2002 911/ 996 C2 , either the magnetic ones ,which I understand are really good ? Or a stainless steel one, any recommendations, on plugs, and also the parts site ?

Thanks a lot Brit-Dave.

I would like to put a gasoline additive into my 2002 911/996 C2 , I know of several reputable types such as Lucas fuel additives and Chevron Techron,which do any of you recommend ? I know a lot of folks don't believe in them,and Porsche as far as I know never used to endorse them, but today at the Rolex 24 here in Daytona, at the "Porsche Corral" a guy mentioned to me that Porsche now has there own type of fuel

additive "Keropur"> http://www.porsche.com/china/en/accessoriesandservice/porscheservice/fueladditive/ could this just be Techron in disguise ? And how about that "Lucas upper cylinder lubricant and injector cleaner" every mechanic I know says thats the best,any thoughts and recommendations

I think the point is they "supposedly" made them better when I got mine " back in 2005 @ 2002 911/996 C2 with only 12000 miles on it ) Now, this is FOUR "4" years after the First water-cooled version ! Which

according to what I have read and seen, is HORRIBLE owners night mare ! But > "A GEM" to quote my sales man. Within a 3-5 weeks , after purchase the infamous black drip began,on the garage floor (oil leak) when I went back to the dealership (Porsche of Orlando) the moron that was my service rep , informed me this is the "norm for a 911 owner" , 'Hey you got an 911, this is what they do " he said. "Leaking oil",

yea it's the norm ! What an AH ! Obviously that was overlooked ,and it was taken care of (Usual RMS replacement ,which it should be > "Shame on Stuttgart" , shortly after that time, I thought it was cured

Today I went in for a coolant flush ( I do not believe that "lifetime" rubbish, I have a BMW M-3, they tried to feed me that "lifetime crap" and now BMW calls it it's "extended life" LOL ) I would have done it myself ,but with

all the drama I have read about leaving air in the system I decided to let the "PROS handle it, even though I had to educate them about using "distilled water" I brought my own, otherwise they would have used that lousy mineral filled Orlando water ! Even my cheap American cars get distiled ,when I do a coolant change,what are these guys thinking ? And guess what they charge $$$$ for this service.

Fluids break down, PERIOD ! Anyhow, guess what , the "INFAMOUS" RMS was once again defective, the oil spat ,was once again,very apparent, but of course "out of warranty "

YES only "about" 6500 miles passed,and once again the RMS has let me down. What the hell is with this issue ? I truly try to love my 911 , but this stuff is getting old. Can anyone expound on this issue ? I have a 1997

BMW M-3 with over 125000 miles on it , which runs like a champ,and has NEVER drama issues like this . Why does this stuff ,happen over and over again ? ? ?

Interesting article about "Porsches Deadly sin" The 1999 911/ 996 read this >>>> http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/08/porsches-deadly-sin-1-1999-porsche-911-996-3-4/

Thanks everyone. I'll be taking two gallons of distilled water with me to the dealership tomorrow.

What the dealer's techs should do, and what the actually do, are often quite different. Use distilled water, costs about a buck a gallon at the supermarket.

Thanks that's what I intend to do tomorrow,take my own distilled water for them to mix it with,since he said they use "Tap water" the distilled is about a buck a gallon. However,one one Porsche web site someone professed the use of Deonized water, NOT distilled ? This is the type of stuff you use in steam irons , etc. Would the distilled make any difference ? What does Porsche have to say about this ? Does it make a difference ? Another guy said use only "PURIFIED WATER " all are available at the supermarket, except for the deonized (sorry not sure of the spelling ? ) type water. Does anyone know for sure ? Thanks Dave....

Realizing that it could be troublesome & create air in the line (s) problems ,I decided to take my 2002 911/996 C2 into the dealer for a coolant change, where they use the "special" vacuum machine etc. (Orlando Porsche $258.00 & Tax "ouch" ,however Brumos Porsche in Jacksonville wanted over $400 !!! )

Anyhow , when I asked the service manager, what type of water they would be mixing the genuine Porsche coolant (he also said it's the same exact type used in VW & Audi ,and it's red, is that correct also ? )

He said "Just plain tap water" . Now from what I have read all over the internet ,you DO NOT use regular tap water, your suppose to use distilled,or purified. One Porsche site said use "deonized" water "only" and NOT distilled or purified ??? What's up with all this confusion ? I asked him if I could bring in my own bottled distilled water for the mechanic to use and he said ok,but it makes no difference. Anyone know the story on this coolant /water type dilemma , I'm taking the 911 in this Friday for the coolant flush,please let me know, I'm totally confused now Is it regular, deonized, purified , or distilled ? And is that correct about VW and Audi using the same stuff ? Cheers Dave

I have a 2002 911/996 C2 with only 22, 600 miles on the odometer ( I obviously don't drive it that much) Since the car is now going on 9 years old I was thinking about putting in new spark plugs, as the local Porsche mechanic (who wants to make a buck LOL ) told me that although the manual says to replace them a 60,000 miles, that "time" is also an important factor,and the plugs could seize up over time making them difficult if not impossible to remove.

Is this true,or is this guy just trying to make a fast buck ? > ( He quoted me "about" $ 425.00 parts and labor ) Also , I looked elsewhere on this web site and the plug change appears somewhat simple. How long does it take to do a plug change,and can a novice do it ? Thanks for ANY advice on this matter. Dave

Hi all,

I have a 2002 911/996 C2 which has the 'original' reservoir coolant cap. I was recently made aware that this cap should be replaced with a 'newer' version cap. The one I have is 'blue' with part # 996.106 447.00

does this cap have to be replaced and why , what are the symptoms ? If so, what is the 'new type cap' and what is the part # , and where do I get it ? I called my local porsche dealer and the guy asked me "why do you want to replace that cap " ? HELP

Thanks a lot Loren,your the man as always

996.106.447.04 (or 03) Cap -- US MSRP $21.82

Hi Loren,

should I update my reservoir cap as well ? I have a 2002 911/996 C2 with a 'Blue cap' part # 996.106 447.00 on the inside of the cap there is another # PA6.6 GF 30 anyone know if I should change it, and why ? Also posted else where on this site,how about coolant type,does it "have to be Porsche original OEM type, or I was told "Advance auto parts coolant" with the "orange colored top" is ok to use and the same as the Porsche stuff ? I have the original factory fill I believe, (I bought it with 12000 miles on the clock, and even now 8 years later it only has 22500 on it. This original stuff, is colored yellow,but when I called my Porsche dealer in orlando the guy says it's now pink ,but it's ok to mix it ? Anything on that info , anyone , this coolant topic is confusing ,and it's suppose to be "lifetime" ?

For sure replace the "00" cap. Those are known to leak. Get the latest version your dealer/OPC has.

I would use only Porsche coolant as mixing the wrong kind can have a disastrous effect.

996.106.447.04 (or 03) Cap -- US MSRP $21.82

Hi Loren,

should I update my reservoir cap as well ? I have a 2002 911/996 C2 with a 'Blue cap' part # 996.106 447.00 on the inside of the cap there is another # PA6.6 GF 30 anyone know if I should change it, and why ? Also posted else where on this site,how about coolant type,does it "have to be Porsche original OEM type, or I was told "Advance auto parts coolant" with the "orange colored top" is ok to use and the same as the Porsche stuff ? I have the original factory fill I believe, (I bought it with 12000 miles on the clock, and even now 8 years later it only has 22500 on it. This original stuff, is colored yellow,but when I called my Porsche dealer in orlando the guy says it's now pink ,but it's ok to mix it ? Anything on that info , anyone , this coolant topic is confusing ,and it's suppose to be "lifetime" ?

You shouldn't mix coolant as you can get a reaction between different types (turns to a gell...). That said, if you are only slightly under the min mark just fill with distilled water since it won't make any significant difference to the mix ratio in the car.

Yes, generally you use a 50/50 mix of water to coolant.

Simon

Thanks Simon, but what is all this about the yellow coloured/colored coolant ,and the pink colored coolant that Porsche itself manufactures ? I called Orlando Porsche, and was going to trek all the way out there (140 miles round trip from here in Daytona beach) to buy a gallon of genuine Porsche stuff, for my 2002 911/996 ,and told the parts guy mine was yellow (original factory fill from 2002) he tells me it's now "pink" and it wont be a problem to mix it, what happened to the yellow stuff, and is he correct ? This is getting really confusing pink , or yellow and what's the difference, anyone know, and how about this stuff Advance auto parts sell, that the Porsche mechanic (NOT a dealer,a private Porsche business) here in Daytona told me about , the stuff with the "orange cap" can anyone else expound on this coolant dilemma

The reservoir in my 2002 Carrera 996 is "just " slightly under the minimum mark. There appears to be no leaks,and nothing present in the oil, that I can see, so after 8 years,and 22,500 miles I reckon it just dissipated somehow ,as it is not that much ? I want to top it up,and thought you could only use "genuine" OEM Porsche coolant to do a top up, as well as if I decide to do a complete coolant change. The local Porsche mechanic here in Daytona Beach "Kennedy Porsche" ( private garage,and NOT a dealer) tells me he uses coolant from the parts company/store Advance auto parts ,and their brand which is "Advance coolant" with the "Orange cap" ? He claims he uses it ALL the time for top up's and complete coolant changes,and it's exactly the same as the genuine Porsche coolant ? I don't want to do anything wrong,and this guy has been in business for years here in Daytona,and claims it is fine to use ? Also the coolant that came in my 2002 / 996 is colored/ coloured yellow ?

And I understand it is ok to mix it. So is it ok to use this Advance auto parts coolant,and does the color make any difference ? Any advice on this would be appreciated,as I'm somewhat confused ? Also do I do a 50/50 mix with distilled water and coolant ? Thanks for ANY advice, Cheers Dave

Anyone ? Ref coolant change topic above ? What does it involve ? Could I do it myself ?

I asked another question elsewhere about coolant change, but I just went out to the garage to check my level. With the engine totally cold, the level was just below the "min" mark about a quarter of an inch. I don't think that would be a problem, being at that level would it ? Anyhow, it needs to be topped up. My car is a 2002 911/ 996 C 2 with only 21,500 miles on the clock. What type of coolant should I add, and do I need to make a 50/50 mix of coolant , and distilled water ? Is there anything else I need to know about topping up ? Also, I have read before that the coolant should be pink, mine is yellow, and thats the way I bought it from the dealer with 12000 miles on it so I assume thats what it came with ? The "supposed" life time coolant. Where should I get it from,and do I need to get genuine Porsche coolant. Any advice on this would be much appreciated. Cheers Dave....

I'm a firm believer in changing fluids. I don't believe anything is "lifetime" including the coolant in my 2002 911/ 996 C 2 engine. From what I have read,there supposedly is "no need to ever change the coolant" ( or the fuel filter ,it's built into the tank ? That sounds ridiculous as well ) Still I would like to do it. Can anyone give me (us) some advice on changing the coolant in a 996 ? Where do I get it from, and how difficult is it to change ? Thanks Dave...

Hi Brit, you should check out the DIY section here where there are nice detailed instructions and recently, a video was posted that will walk you through the end to end process. The drain plug is removed with an 8 mm allen socket, and the filter housing uses Porsche part #000 721 920 40, which can be attached to a 3/8" drive socket wrench. Also, Mobil 1 0W40 is on the approved Porsche list.

Good Luck,

-tanny02

Thanks for the info, I got the drain plug size ,but somewhere I saw a housing wrench that removes the oil filter housing ,that was available at Pep boys,Auto zone ,etc for only about $3.99 . What size is this ? I believe it's a standard size ,that will fit most Euro cars including BMW & Audi , can anyone else advise ? Thanks Dave...

I have a 2002 911/ 996 Carrera, and want to do my own oil change. I want to use Mobil 1 0- 40 oil (is this ok ) and I'm confused about all these different size tools to use when I do it ? Can any of you advise of the exact size tool I must use to remove the drain plug (which I will replace with a stainless steel one) as well as the size (tool) to remove the filter housing ? I seem to be reading about all these different size tools to do an oil change ,and it's confusing I thought, most 996's used the same size tools to remove the plug and filter housing ? Please advise , on tool sizes, and oil type , thanks Dave.....

I thought there was a 996 oil change video somewhere on here ? I know it's pretty basic, but since myself and several others have never done it before ,it would be nice to actually see how it's done,and what to watch out for Please let us all know. Dave...

It is inside the fuel tank - and Porsche says under normal use it never needs replacing.

If for some reason you need to replace it (contamination) then realize that you will also likely need to re-calibrate the fuel level sensor (which is a real PITA).

so why does such a fine car as a 911 have a filter that you cannot change ? Lifetime filter ? thats like the lifetime coolant they put in these 2002 911's

another ridiculous thing, that your not suppose to ever change your engine coolant ? What are these engineers in Stuttgart thinking

I wonder if there is an answer to both the above ? It just does not make any sense to me, how about anyone else ? Cheers Dave...

Just where is the fuel filter on a 2002 996/911 located at ? And how does one change it ? 'HELP" ! This is driving me mad !

Thanks so much Maurice for the info. I couldn't find your pic ? How about the best and cheapest filters (air , oil, and cabin ) who should I purchase them from ? Any suggestions ? Dave..

After ringing "Porsche of Orlando", (it's actually in Maitland Fl) my closest dealer to Daytona beach,the service manager told me an oil change was $289.00 & tax $20.23 = OMG ! " $ 309.23 " !!! I then asked how much to do the 2 year brake fluid change , he quoted me $189.00 ! 2 years ago the brake fluid change was $75.00 at the same place. Are we not in a recession ? Anyhow, I decided to the change the oil myself $ 6.25 per quart of Mobil 1 0- 40 X 9 = $56.25 A Mann filter (by mail about $8.00) = $64.25 a savings of $244.98 WOW !!! !!! I remember a member on here saying : " I would rather take it to a dealer, and have the professionals do mine" ? Well I'm pretty well off, but that type of money is ridiculous ! Hey, it's a friggin oil change I recall someone explaining about driving the car (I have a 2002 - 911/996 ) up onto two "2x12" wooden boards , and then doing it yourself. I have never done this before,and would appreciate any advice about doing this, and most of all ,where to get the tools for changing the filter & removing drain plug, where can I order it from & what size ?

Do I need to worry about oil squirting all over, or anything out of the ordinary ? These dealers really ought to think about lowering their price, talk about price gouging ! I get my Dodge Ram oil changed at the dealer for $15.99 & tax (The regular stuff & filter) But over $300.00 come on , this is not a Bugatti Venron ! I could probably do that as well by myself ?

Also, who has the best deals on filters , oil, air , & cabin here in the States ? And which brand is the best ? I'm not interested in the K & N reusable ones either ,I've heard bad things about that ,just get the "GOOD" throwaways .

Wal-mart is the cheapest place for the Mobil 1 ,and speaking of that , I wonder why the 0-40 weight is not available in the 5 quart jugs ? Has anyone reading this seen it sold that way, why not , they sell many other types of Mobil 1 that way ,and it's "considerably" cheaper. Thanks for ANY advice on all the latter. Cheers Dave.... Main question is about the tools , sorry I got carried away.

Where is that located at ? Thats a great idea " Mysterious Porsche issues" that is , if it ain't on there create it. Wonderful cars , but many times mysterious problems,easily solved