Anyone know this car? Having a PPI next week in Phoenix

It's a 1999 C4 in Arizona..... http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=254240616 Thanks!

Quotes source post: 6797808

With VIN call Porsche dealers in Chandler (Phoenix) area and see if someone will tell you what services car has had and when. Low mileage '99 presents a bit of a risk. Not unknown for the 3.4L engines to suffer cracked cylinder. Sincerely, Macster.

The seller has the service records and I've seen a few of them. The "airbag" light fix as well as oil change was done in January. Two items I'm concerned about that I want checked on during the PPI: -Fault codes P1128 and P1130 were showing and were cleared -The mechanic noted "slight signs of coolant leak. No drip" on the service ticket. One other item is that the engine is filthy! For such a low mileage car (which is verified through carfax) it's surprising.

Here are some pics.... Porsche_Back.jpg IMG_1441.jpg 911_2[1].JPG Picture_082.jpg

WOW- all of those 25k miles must have been in the winter on salt, followed by desert sand driving, that motor is dirty !!! The passenger side rear bumperlet is leaking too!!

Quotes source post: 6798159

P1128/P1130 is engine controller at lean limit. This on both sides suggests a failure common to both banks. Fuel pressure regulator. MAF perhaps. Where is coolant leak coming from? For a car in AZ heat a coolant leak can be deadly. Leak means cooling system may not be able to maintain pressure and localized overheating can occur as hot coolant flashes to steam at hotter places in cooling system. This can lead to cracked head, leaking head gasket, or cracked cylinder. I'd like to know where that coolant is leaking from. And I'd like to know that if it fixed system is pressure tight and no other problems exist that could have arisen from that leak. Dusty engine not surprising. That area very dry, and there is lots of airborne dust. Area of course experiences high ambient temperature for months at a time so engine compartment fan runs a lot. This fan just sucks in dust/dirt and blows it onto engine where it accumulates. Get coolant leak sorted. Or walk away. Sincerely, Macster.

to me it looks like the expansion tank / cap area has some dried coolant - my thought is that is a very common leak spot and it may or may not have been replaced - I agree it need to be looked in to. MAF bad from dust ? - I dont know.... if it was fixed, who cares right? (unless that dust was in that area and then went south into the intake)

Quotes source post: 6798563

Could be coolant cap. Original cap on my 02 Boxster developed a leak after about 6 years. No coolant stains though, just low coolant level warning light on. Checked level and it was low. Added distilled water. Removed fluid bay panel to view tank underneath: Checked tank and vent valve for signs of leaks. None seen. Did note water droplets on underneath surface of rear trunk lid in area that covered the fluid access bay. Some water on the rubber seal that fits against underneath surface of rear trunk lid too. Replaced coolant cap and level's been good now for well nearly a year. Dust might have affected MAF. Could be leaking oil filler tube cap too. I know sort of backwards that engine controller would reach lean limit with an air leak but the way this can happen is air leak at idle causes engine controller to add fuel. Engine controller approaches rich limit, but before it gets there, driver takes off in car and engine spends little or no time at idle for some miles. As car driven and engine operates at higher RPM air leak from oil filler tube cap diminishes in volume to where it represents very small amount of total air engine consuming. Engine controller then begins to remove fuel, leaning mixture out. Due to various factors engine controller reaches lean limit and sets check engine light. My 02 Boxster had a leaking oil filler tube cap that resulted in mostly errors of engine controller reaching rich limit, but once in awhile P1128/P1130 errors would be logged. Finally convinced myself MAF at fault and replaced MAF. Errors reappeared. At loss to know what was going on. Some time later showing co-worker car and had engine idling with rear trunk open and co-worker heard air leaking past oil filler tube cap. Replaced cap and no more errors. In fact couple of years later symptoms appeared that that suggested this new MAF bad. I removed the new MAF and on hunch installed old (original) MAF. Symptoms gone and car is now using original MAF that has over 150K miles on it. Anyhow, to the orignal poster it might be worth the effort to examine air filter and air box to see if there are any cracks or filter not installed right. If everything looks ok that's one thing. If air filter not installed properly, or has tear or air box has leak or if any condition exits that could have allowed unfiltered air into engine, I'd walk away. Sincerely, Macster.

thats wierd.... oil filler cap..could you have just replaced the o'ring? or was it cracked?

Quotes source post: 6798512

You must have inside knowledge....first 6 years in Maryland followed by 4 years in Arizona. Coolant leak is my biggest concern and I have told the dealership that I need to know the cause of the leak...even if I have to pay a little extra for some diagnostic work.

Decent price, but PPI should help you make the right decision regarding mentioned issues. An engine detailing will clean up the dirt and dust. Certainly a 99 may need new expansion tank/cap. Let us know the PPI results.