19 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHBuying a 996 that doesn't run!
Reported or suspected cause
broke timing chain
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
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Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Leading evidence: 'broke timing chain' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'broke timing chain' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check car over' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Discussions that suspect a cause
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Suspected cause
If the cranking is healthy I'd suspect a fuel pump.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
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Suspected cause
I don't think the crank with no engine fire is due to moisture/water in the cabin on the floor under the seats but you want to be sure this area is dry.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
I don't think the crank with no engine fire is due to moisture/water in the cabin on the floor under the seats but you want to be sure this area is dry.
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19 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
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Ok, I know that I sounds nuts, but hear me out. I'm not new to Porsche, but I am with 996. I currently have a 86 944 and 79 924. I'm a PCA member and got a lead from a friend on a man who recently acquired a 996 and doesn't know or care to know how to fix the car. She turns over strong, but no fire... he has no history, no knowledge on it and no value on it either. If all goes well Friday, I'll be driving 3 hours away and trading a motorcycle that I haven't rode in 2 years for it! It's showing 98k miles and looks to be in good nic. It's a 99 6 speed cab with a hard top. Body looks straight. I have about 6500 in this bike and care nothing about it. Fingers crossed it's a dme relay or crank sensor.
Any knowledge and experience here is welcomed!
thanks!
I bought my first and current 996 with a blown engine. I planned to use it to learn off of and do as much work on it myself as possible.
Mine turned out to be a broke timing chain. Still trying to figure out why the chain broke.
If you like to tinker with cars, this isn't a bad one to mess around with. With the prices where they are, you really can't lose much $. I consider the amount I paid for mine as tuition.
Now rebuilding the engine is another story. To do it right, it gets expensive. I'm looking for alternatives to get the car running while I learn off the 3.6L that is in mine. Pulling the engine is pretty easy.
You may want to read this thread about Cuda's experience with a broken timing chain. Enlightening thread to say the least.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...today-and.html
You are getting this car near the value of a roller 996 so I don't see much risk here. Should be a fun challenge with very little skin in the game, so to speak.
Thanks! I actually read that thread when I first bought the car. Mine doesn't appear to be that bad.
I already have a new engine planned to go in. I will use this engine to get a rebuild. not sure what kind of rebuild though just yet.
Yup. It turned over pretty well. It did sound a little different from a normal start though. It seemed to have less restriction when it was cranking over. It did seem like it was low on compression. Now I know why. The chain that connects the cams on Banks 1-3 was broken.
Can't you just sell the motorcycle for $6500? I'd rather have the cash than a non-running 996 Cab.
Check the inside of the car is dry. I don't think the crank with no engine fire is due to moisture/water in the cabin on the floor under the seats but you want to be sure this area is dry.
Check the car over for signs of rodent damage. Look for mice sign on top the engine, in the cabin, trunk, and for mice litter on top of the plastic panels under the car.
If mice have been at the car the damage can be extensive. The engine may have to come out. Wiring harnesses replaced. The 4 or 5 cars I've come across in for this were so badly damaged the owners had to fall back on their homeowner insurance to cover the cost of the repairs.
If the cranking is healthy I'd suspect a fuel pump. When I brought my car (Boxster) in with what I suspected to be a bad fuel pump, and which proved to be the case, the tech confirmed the pump was bad by disconnecting it from the car's electrical system and supplying 12V power to the pump. Even then it did not run.
If the fuel pump runs and there is fuel in the tank then spark is next. Trouble is you need to find a common failure point for no spark to any plugs.
Crankshaft position sensor failure is one possibility. A bad DME is another.
Ok, so I bought the car and have it home. I put a hot battery in it and she fired right off. I've had about a day to mess with it and here is what I've found. It runs like crap lol. The only code it throws is a MAF. I replaced and she still throws it. No CEL . So I've started looking for vacuum leaks and boom, the boots in between the intake were both barely on. I tightened them up, and then she wouldn't run at all. I then pulled the oil fill cap off and it will just sputter and run terrible for about 40 seconds then die. No cracks in boots, fresh MAF, oil looks good, just running terrible. Any thoughts? Bad ECU?
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Forrest ,If you are serious about finding the faults and have such vague symptoms ,it may be Durametric time ?Will the car drive to your Indie?
If you have the time and want to read all the 'helpful' speculation here,it is very entertaining but maybe you need a little more certainty ?
As you discovered with the loose intake boots, sometimes just poking around with a bright light and a sensitive ear can turn up all sorts of useful fix-it projects. That will all help but may not resolve the fundamental issue
To start with the easy and obvious, you can give the throttle body and idle control valve a thorough cleaning first. Then disconnect the battery to reset the dme. Next up will be durametric reading of codes and misfires, then check the spark plugs and coils.
Well, i have it all cleaned up and ready to go to the mechanic shop. His diagnoses is the AOS. we put it on the durametric, still didn't say anything . I've cleaned throttle body and done plugs. Oh well, she's headed to the shop. I'm happy with the money i have in it! Also the car is a complete leather interior and LSD car. From what I've seen option 220,222,224 is fairly rare?
Forrest,
If the car has been idle for many months, the fuel may have gelled/deteriorated. It is a pain but you need to flush that out. Not just the tank and filter. You particularly need to flush out the fuel pressure regulator and fuel rail. I hope you have somewhere warm,dry,well ventilated to do such work in winter.
BTW - the gelled fuel is not very combustible. It will plug up the fuel pressure regulator. Tedious work.Can't you tell I had to do it recently ?
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