JohnJStewart

I'm just wondering whether the mass production of so many 996's has also had a strange knock on effect on the sale of private plates. There are so many 996's around now that they are so common place and I wondered if this means no-one (in the UK) is interested in spending cash on a dateless plate? I sold my 996 over a year ago and to date haven't been able to sell my 996 plate. I've had it on Pistonheads, EBay, 911 and Posrceh World Magazine, a couple of commercial web sites, and no interest at all? What does everyone think - it's HSJ 996 by the way on retention and priced at a very reasonable figure (IMHO).

John, I just installed a Fabspeed intake kit with the red hose on my 01 Tip C2 not knowing they had a different version for Tiptronic. Anyway, there is now an extra vacumn line dangling there since the red hose doesn't have a place to attach it. The black corrugated stock hose has an inlet to attach this line but only for Tiptronic cars. My question is since your Tiptronic version kit didn't come with the red hose and assuming you are still using the stock black corrugated hose, how did you connect the small diameter opening from the stock black hose that used to connect to the air box since that opening is now plugged up by the plastic/carbon looking dome piece? I realize this is a pretty old thread but if you read this please comment. Anybody else that knows the answer please comment also. TIA! I just installed the dome and the pipes all still connected as they did originally. I didn't have a red tube. I'm not sure what you can do other than use the original tube.

Love it. We sound like kindred spirits. I was trying to sell the car when my engine wnt and had actually lent the car to a colleague whilst I was on holiday. he was traumatised - but as you say - no-one died. I did replace the engine, sold the car and bought a Ferrari 360 - it;s not like I didn't like the new 997 I just wanted Porsche to know that I am unhappy with them and will tell as many people as possible. However the credit crisis must be killing them more. The new engines seem bullet proof by the way and Porsche will almos certainly stand by a ew engine for a coupel of years if it goes again which is unlikely. My motto - some people on the Titanic didn't take a dessert - trying to keep off the pounds! - life is not a rehearsal! Keep me posted.

Phillip You have my sympathy. I had exactly the same issue at 58k miles. Mine was a cracked cylinder head. There are options but it could be worth checking with Porsche what they would charge for a new engine with warranty. Alternatively set fire to it or push it in a river/lake. I had mine done in the UK with Autofarm and you don't want to ask what it cost - then double it to get dollars! I was selling the car - not just bought it like you. Porsche are just so culpable here and they basically tell you to get lost. Try this site and www.autofarm.co.uk or www.hartech.org.uk There's lots of info - the trouble is you really need ot strip the engine to find the problem and at that stage - you're half way or more to a new engine. Get some quotes - the good news about the Porsche price is it includes a warranty and will be fully done with all new bits. IT SUCKS!

Thanks Loren - great stuff. The rotors are very scored and grooved - so you're right that the pads will take a while to grind in. But they are pretty new so seems a waste to not use them. Are there instructions for the rotors? It looks like remove caliper and undo 2 bolts - is that it? Many thanks John

Hi everyone, especially Loren who I am hoping will just point me straight to the answer. I did the pads all round on my 1999 C2 Cab and now that I;ve sold it my neighbour needs help with his 2002 Carrera 4. It looks like he'll need new discs (rotors) although his PADS look very good. SHould we do the pads as well and if so, is there any difference between the 1999 and 2002 models? I think it will be the same job. I've not done discsn(rotors) it looks easy enough but what torque do we need for the bolts and should we get new bolts? Do I really need to do the pads too? Thanks to everyone for contributing. John

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?s...065&hl=pads Here you go. Good luck.

This is a very easy job. I did all 4 wheels in my own garage in 2hours 20 minutes including a nice cup of tea! You don't need any special tools - although a palette knife is handy to help get the squeal plate free as they are sticky. I reused everything apart from pads of course and paid about £120 for new pads in the UK. A brake bleeding kit is handy because you can just use it to cover the reservoir in case any fluid overflows as you push the pistons back. It really is a doddle (that's english for very simple). There are pictures and DIY guides all over Pistonheads just do a search or email Loren. Have a go you'll feel great and save lots of cash.

Thanks for the reply. Yes I am annoyed. The good news for you I think is that it's quite common to have the orange gunk in the oil filler tube. If you think about it - this gets hot and then cold and so you do get condensation which mixes with any lube in the tube. I don't think this is anything to worry about. I've heard that as long as you have plenty of long runs to keep the engine warn each time you use it you might lower the odds of a failure. I ownder whether the large number of short trips I did caused the issue, although the problem actually occurred after a big long trip. Who knows. Damm Porsche for their attitude.

Let me assure everyone that as an ex owner whose engine failed at 62000 with a FULL MDPSH and oil changes etc and not ever a single drop of oil or water lost......these things go "BANG" and that's it without any warning. And if anyone wants to feel the sickening feeling that you get in the stomach when you get the call to say that your engine is toast...then I'd suggest you buy one of these ticking time bombs and wait...... It may be only a small percentage and I think everyone understands that mechanical parts can fail over time - but this is now a well documented researched issue and these engine fail for one of three common reasons. And... Porsche changed the design in the 3.6 - now I wonder why? It's bull and they should own up. Let's face it the wouldn't be the first company to do a recall late in the life of a vehicle or to offer some form of assistance. Does anyone remember the 993 engine wiring loom recall - it took a lot of campaigning in the US but eventually they gave in. Porsceh profits last year 3.0 billion?

The problem was a cracked cylinder head and then oil mixed with water and vice versa. Then I had to replace all the O2 sensors, crank sensor and it just went on and on. I wouldn't wish this on anyone but it can happen and there doesn't seem to be any sign before it goes. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. The C4 is unnecessary IMHO, and I heard maintenance was higher plus the boot is smaller.

I'd be surprised if these prices held. UK price is £7k upwards. ie $13k approx!

Shame you're not in the UK - I've got a spare. Got any mates in London that could pick it up for you? Make me an offer and it's yours.

My car had it and I don't think it's an issue although these cars probably do need a good warm up from time to time.

I would ditch the K&N filter. It doesn't add anything apart from a big bill and the bad publicity around seems to suggest it may cause issues. I like you went mad a bought a Fabspeed Cold Air Kit. I bought it online in the US and brought it back in my luggage when I was over there. The upside is that it does make the car sound better, it possibly improves the performance a tiny bit - especially in 2nd or 3rd gear and it's easy to fit. The bad news - the cost. Who are they kidding! I got the tiptronic version which used to be two bits - the replacement "plastic plug" and a thin ring which replaced the mesh airflow that seemed totally pointless and I gather has now been withdrawn from the kit. As mine was a Tiptronic, you didn't need/get the red pipe. The cost - a whopping $160 and I think $220 for the manual. Frankly it's a bit of plastic and you can get the famous Orange Naigara plug (which fits perfectly) for free either as a sample in the UK or US. I got some plastic plugs off a company in the UK in Witney Oxford - got the details if you want them. I think on balance it's a rip off. I've got my "kit" on sale on Pistonheads for £50 and will throw in a Plastci Plug if anyone offers me close to that. It's a big saving on new and recovers some of my costs although I do feel it's still a bit of a rip off for a piece of plastic. As for the insurance companies - I'd keep stumm and don't crash it and expose the airbox.

This is cheap compared to UK prices - I just sold my 1999 C2 Cabriolet Tiptronic with 62k miles and a big spec and full MDSH for just over £25k - AND it had a new engine because these are a lottery! There is loads of stuff re engine issues and if it goes budget on $10k upwards (£11k in UK). The problem is you can't tell if they are going. I would either go for a warranty or pay more for a 3.6 version or find one that's had a new engine already. Other repairs are trivial compared to engines.

I bought the Tiptronic Version which doesn't have the Red Pipe. You get the plastic dome with flanges that replaces the box in your air filter lid and a very thin ring to replace the mesh screen in the lid in the air filter box. This was something like $160 delivered in the US. I've heard that they have now taken the thin ring out of the kit so presumably the Tiptronic version is just one part which is very expensive for a single bit of plastic. I just took mine out and tried one of the Niagara orange caps and it fitted fine. They are free. So $160 vs Free? Also I can't see any mention on the Fabspeed site for the Tiptronic kit anymore and the kit sells at $225. If anyone is in the UK and wants to buy my Tiptronic kit - it's for sale. I have the replacement plastic box/plug thing and also the ring - but it is cracked although I wouldn't use it as I think the original screen mesh should be retained - this seems to be the latest wisdom. I'm going to try and get back half of what I paid - which at the time was $160 at 1.50 to the pound. So cost me around £110. I'll put it up for £50 which is ridiculous for a piece of plastic but it is a Tiptronic Fabspeed Kit (i.e. One piece) and I am assuming they would be around £100 in the UK. I'll provide instructions and photos and if you are in the UK and care to come to me - I will show you how to fit it. I am in Solihull. Any questions I'll happily answer. If you prefer the Orange Cap - I can provide the email for the nice lady at the UK company that sent me 3 samples free of charge. This is a free alternative, although I haven't tried it in the car but it seems to fit fine.

Well, the actual replacement would be pretty easy. Just remove the front bumper and remove and replace the AC condensor. I would guess I could do it less than 1 hour. But since you have had a leak they will likely need to recharge you AC and test that it will hold pressure. If it was open for long you may also need a new AC dryer (desiccator). Do you know the part number for the air con radiator? Thanks

Well, the actual replacement would be pretty easy. Just remove the front bumper and remove and replace the AC condensor. I would guess I could do it less than 1 hour. But since you have had a leak they will likely need to recharge you AC and test that it will hold pressure. If it was open for long you may also need a new AC dryer (desiccator). Thanks Loren Does your one hour include removing and replacing the bumper as well? That seems very quick. How easy is it to remove the bumper? This was found on the pre-sale inspection so at last I think I may have sold my car!! Had a go in a 997 C2S on Saturday - boy are they good!!

Loren My car has been diagnosed with a slightly leaking near side air con radiator. I;ve seen them in the UK for £125 - do you know how many hours labour it should be to replace one side? Thanks

Folks - just got my car back from the garage and opened up the sun visor on the passenger side and bits fell out and the cover (which you lift to reveal the mirror and make the two lights come on just fell out with a nice broken lump of plastic. So question is - how many pieces does this come in - I have the cover, the inner piece with the mirror and lights and then the back plate with the bulbs and electrics and finally the soft leather covered visor. As far as I can see it's only the cover that's broken - views on whether this part is available? Photos attached

1999 Carrera C2 Cabriolet with Total Main dealer History all services etc oil to factory spec. Never tracked. Blew the head at 61k miles. Cracked head, new engine at £11k - yes 11 thousand UK from Autofarm. What did Porsche GB say......things wear out and break, tough ****. Here's two nice pictures of the crack in the cylinder head. Now how did that happen?

I've got the same issue. sort of sounds like it needs a good oiling. Any ideas?

I had similar and thought it was the lower control arms which are quite common and same symptoms as you describe. But it was the track rod ends. The MD was useless as diagnosis - replaced top mounts (twice) , control arms and finally track rod ends.

996 Engine Failure I would like to try and start a log of all the failed 996 engines to see how many there really are. By the power of the internet, we could see if this is a significant problem or not once and for all. I don't want to go off half cocked so would welcome any views as to how best to go about this.