Climate Control Make sure to check that the air-con blasts freezing cold air at its · lowest setting. Air conditioning proble

Interior Climate Control Make sure to check that the air-con blasts freezing cold air at its lowest setting. Air conditioning problems can be expensive to rectify. Common faults are corroded radiator matrices (see above – c£500) or the filter/dryer canister (c£150). Doors & Windows The doors should open and close smoothly, and the windows should drop a few millimetres as you lift the door handles. If the windows do not drop as you open the doors, the culprit is likely to be a micro-switch in the door switch assembly that may need replacement (c£125). Windscreen The windscreen of all 996s are prone to delamination (milky white effect) in the corner of the ‘A’ pillars and bonnet. This can often be replaced courtesy of your insurance company, subject to paying the excess (c£50). Ignition Switch It is not uncommon for the ignition switch to fail. The plastic barrel can crack, preventing the switch from returning to its 1st position once the engine has started. Also the contacts in the switch can break, causing strange electrical faults. (c£22 part cost). Centre Console The hinge on the console is prone to breaking, but there is an Storage Bin easy and cheap solution which costs around £18 in parts. Engine and On pre-facelift cars the larger mechanical levers on the driver’s Luggage side sill are prone to scuffing. The replacement parts cost around compartment £150 opening levers The electrical systems of the 996 are generally very reliable, but check all switches and controls perform their correct function. Engine (also see Notes) Oil Pressure When hot: At least 1.0 bar at idle 4.0 to 5.0 at 4000+ rpm Temperature When hot: slightly over the 80°C marker Oil Filler Cap & Don’t be alarmed by a light coating of mayonnaise coloured Tube residue in the cap or tube. It is quite common, and usually worse in cold weather, and if the car has been used on short runs. Coolant & Oil Look for traces of oily residue in the cooling water. This could be a sign of a leaking head gasket, or much worse. Walk away from the car and don’t look back! Also look at the oil on the dipstick. Any traces of white foamy substance (water/oil emulsion) and you should also start walking! Coolant Expansion These are prone to cracking and pinholes. Look for staining of the Tank engine bay panels below the tank. Not too expensive to replace at around £250. Idle Should be a steady 680-700 rpm when warm. Some 996’s suffer from a slightly lumpy idle, particularly when cold. A severely erratic idle could be caused by a fault in a Variocam solenoid (c£400), MAF sensor (c£150) or Ignition Coil Pack (c£30 each) Rear Main Oil Seal It is no secret that this is a common problem with the M96 engine. It first shows itself by a dampening of the area at the bottom of the engine at the joint between the crankcase and transmission. In virtually ALL cases the worst that will happen will be the odd drip of oil on the garage floor. Most owners will wait until the clutch needs changing and replace the seal at that time. Multiple failures have been recorded, but they are rare. Tiptronics appear to be less prone, but not immune, to the problem. Cost when doing a clutch change is an extra £20 or so, otherwise it is a £300-400 job.