3.6 vs 3.4 engine problems

It would seem to me that the 3.4 engines are far more problematic than the 3.6 engines. Who thinks this is true. Or is it that the 3.4 cars now are getting older and have more mileage on them than the newer cars and 3.6 cars are just problems waiting to happen when they too start to get higher mileage on them. What did Porsche change to improve the design of engine in the 3.6 cars that could possibly make them less problematic??My 3.6 comes off warranty December 2007. So far Zero problems in 36,000KM. I am hoping that if something was going to go wrong it would have gone wrong already!!

I don't think 3.4 engines have any more problems than 3.6 at all. The first year had some stuff, but all that was fixed asap. The only recurring thing is the RMS leak, but that applies to all 996s (and 997s too). I've got 80,000 miles on mine, and hardly any trouble at all. It runs better now than when it was new.

Do you have any basis for making such a statement? I mean I realize that the 3.6 is a better motor from a performance standpoint. But to make a statement like this is ridiculous without foundation. My car has 40k on it and nothing but oil changes. I am sure I'll have to replace the RMS when I do the clutch/flywheel someday in the future but that's about it. I have already tracked my car too. A lot of people read this and I don't appreciate people making uninformed bad press about the engine I posess. If you're going to make a statement like that at least back it up. The 3.6 has new connecting rods, crankshaft for the added displacement. New fuel supply system and better exhaust. Also the VarioCam Plus. Which makes 15lbs more torque, and more across the band. I can't see how that translates into more reliability. Unless the new crank is forged? That being said I kinda wish I got the newer motor because when you supercharge the engines, these differences are exaggerated tremendously. But from a reliabilty standpoint, I'll keep the 3.4.

I have already tracked my car too. A lot of people read this and I don't appreciate people making uninformed bad press about the engine I posess. If you're going to make a statement like that at least back it up Individuals will of course have only anecdotal evidence. Porsche is in a much better better position to comment, but they won't. In the tiny universe of 996s that I have firsthand knowledge of, I don't see more problems in the smaller engine. As a matter of fact four of my friends have the 3.4 engine and two have the 3.6 engine. The only problem of any significance that they have told me about is RMS repairs. Two of them had the leaks: one had the 3.6 engine and the other had the 3.4 engine. Other than that, all their 996s have been trouble free.

other than a RMS 2X, 13k and no problems at all.

At 80,000 miles, I'm still on my first clutch too. Keep in mind that at only 18 posts, red996 could possibly be a troll trying to stir things up.

Actually one of the local dealer principals..made the remark that the 3.6 was rather more problematic than the 3.4 Remark was in the context of the new Cayman S using ostensibly the 996 mk1 engine.

In red996's defense, I think his post was more of a question, than a statement.

I agree. He's just trying to get some info.

Of course, cars with higher mileage have more problems. We are taking mechanical stuff here, so more use is often more wear= repairs. In general, Porsche engines last very long. Your car is still pretty new, the longer you will own it, the more problems (statistically) you will have. That's one reason why people buy new cars. Newer cars equals less problems/repairs but higher depreciation. You bite the bullet either way. What bothers me more is that parts and repairs are excessive expensive at Porsche, even with the 996 produced in such high numbers. I am also quite disappointed about the knowledge at the Porsche dealership in my area. The mechanics are all grease monkies and have no idea about the electronics in those cars. That's what really worries me. I had to show the mechanic at my last visit (it turned out to be the head mechanic) how to operate and diagnose the cars electronics. They are more busy running around doing oil top ups at customer cars which is a total joke. Basically the same experience I had when servicing my 750 at the BMW dealer. Dings in the hood, scratched rims, dirty leather, the list doesn't stop. The only thing they seem to handle really well is writing up a high bill. That's Vancouver, BC.

I am asking a question. If you have a great running car tell as all about it. We all need to hear more positive stuff here rather than my RMS has failed or my motor blew up. I need to start threads more carefully. Some people are really sensative.

How is the statement "It would seem to me that the 3.4 engines are far more problematic than the 3.6 engines" supposed to be taken as a question? A statement like that deserves to be backed up with some actual information. Besides, you have two and a half years of warranty left. If you're worried about stuff going wrong, sell your car and take the bus. No more worries.

https://rennlist.com/forums/boxster-and-boxster-s-986-forum/150463-boxster-sudden-engine-failure.html https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/196800-possible-engine-problems-on-3-4l-update.html http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=4501 https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/204183-white-smoke-on-track-day.html https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/205310-996-is-gone-hello-to-m3-cab.html

And those posts are supposed to worry me? You will find that EVERY MARQUE has problems if you look hard enough. Your four examples (one was a Boxster) are nothing. Like I said before, if you're worried about what hasn't happened yet to your car, you shouldn't be driving it. Seriously though, I think there are more 996s on the road than any other model of the 911. There are bound to be more incidents of failures and problems. Over all, I think Porsche makes a great car. Is there room for improvement? Yes. Are they overpriced? Perhaps. Are they being made as good as they used to be? Probably better in some respects, and not so much in others. Bottom line, I've had mine since new and have put on 80,000 miles with relatively no problems at all. And it drives better than ever. I will probably need a new clutch in the coming months, and I have a nightmare of problems with H&R suspensions, but everything else has been good.

This has some of the answers I am looking for. https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...&highlight=3.6

Great! I hope you've eased your worries.

Interesting. I only scanned the messages in this link, but did not see a single reference to 3.4l or 3.6l engine long term mechanical reliability. In any event, my 2000 996 has traveled 46,000 miles without any problems. Just another data point - I hope it helps.

Here's a random data point {of no statistical importance what-so-ever} ... I've heard lots of complaints about the 3.6L engines blowing oil on start-up, never once heard that issue with the 3.4L engines.