Engine Failure..

I got a call today from the new owner of my previous 996 (sold 6 months back), says he was driving normally, suddenly the engine smoked like a bbq filling the whole bay and cabin... Temperature and oil were normal at the time.. Upon dropping the engine at the mechanic, the diagnostic was a cracked engine block which mixed water and oil leading to the fumes.. Is this a common engine failure in 996's.. what could be the possible reasons? Any comments appreciated.. Wael Previous: 996 C2 1999 Manual 70,000km when sold

One possible reason is the engine had the **** run out of it............

I would hope and assume Porsche designed the engine to run at redline for extended peroids of time, wouldn't you? Its sad to see all these 996 engine and gearbox failures, and especially sad to hear about the dealers not covering customers that took their 996's to the track! Isn't this supposed to be the ultimate sports car? As much as I am starting to like the 996's, I would be really afraid to have one out of warranty..

uh well given the comment about dumping the clutch at 6k what do you expect! You can't beat on it like that and expect it to live forever.

Is there an echo in here?

I'm guessing he's not buying another car from you. AS

Man, you guys are harshing on Wael! I've read many of Wael's posts, many stories of high speed pusuits and close encounters in a country where excessive speed is not excessive, but hey, can anyone tell him something constructive?

I thought the early 996 had this issue. A friend of mine had the same thing happen, only the dealer found during a routine service and the engine was promptly replaced. According to the dealer, it was a known problem. Something about casting problems? I'm keeping my fingers crossed since my car is now 60k plus miles and I'm out of warrantee.

Thanks Charles and Brian! I really wanted an advice or a similar experience since the car is in Lagos which is void of any competent mechanic. I thought I'd find some sort of clue here.. My reason for this post was more to understand what could be behind such an engine failure.. I took care of the car as much as I could, knowing that I also took it to its limits (and mine!).. I only have doubts that the new owner was somehow careless in keeping a regular check on the fluids, or might have handled it rough. On the other hand: Guys, they're just cars! It's not about possession or upkeeping only. It's the feeling of having been there whenever the idea crosses your mind or even when you see one going by.. And for that to happen, trust me, YOU SHOULD HIT REDLINESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!! Waz

Yeah! are we supposed to drive like a granny around town, just showing off our shinny Porsche? lets not go over 3k RPM or much less track them just in case, give me a break guys! You can't critisize that? we are talking about sportcars! This is a common problem that happens to 996's that were not driven like they are supposed to be too. Lets be a little more constructive, anybody have any experience or advice with this? I hit the redline EVERYDAY, thats why we buy a Porsche right?

Everyone is so quick to criticize until it happens to them then it is not funny!!! It is a little disappointing that this generation has what I would call quality issues. I came from a 94 C4 and it was trouble free. I good friend �Porsche mechanic� indicated that the engine�s sometimes just grenades. Porsche is aware of it and will usually give a new engine. I don�t know about you guys but this scare�s the crap out of me having a 99 out of warrantee. It�s not like buying a new crate motor for your vette. Were talking big bucks. This is more compelling because if you want to buy extended warrantees can you trust that company to be there when you need a claim.. Don�t get me wrong I love this car and it has been trouble free. I guess we need to keep an eye on this!!

I saw on the net, 996 engines for $7000 guess from previous accident cars... some are even very new! Wael

I like to drive my cars hard but not abuse them. I don't dump the clutch ever, that's just a bad idea in the long run period. Doing things along that nature just shows disrespect for the car.

I hear ya - respect the car, and it will respect you (and your wallet). I don't even know what clutch dumping is, but anything that would cause me to use the word "dump" with my baby ain't gonna happen!

true, we buy sports cars to drive them like sports cars...i've always driven my VWs, Hondas, etc like race cars. Never gone through a clutch or engine and then when some regular joe buys my car, it's trashed in no time. why, lack of care, maintenance and knowing how to drive a car, easy or hard. you can baby a car in my opinion at any rpm...it's all in how you deal with rpms, hard cornering, etc. nothing takes the place of good maintenance and "respect" as mentioned above. let's drive 'em hard...if I live to be like my grandfathers 80s-90s, I'm not gonna be like them and be saying, "what if?

Am with you all the way KW! NO regrets!!!! Waz!

Yeah rdsii! I have had mine since new for 3 years. It's been brilliant up to about 4 months back. I never tracked mine and I guess I have driven it like a granny..apart from the odd blast here and there.....but it is a Porker after all. I loved this car and would have said the same words as you until..... So just on 3 years and out of warranty......RMS failed, gearbox blows 1st and 2nd, header tank gone balistic. No doubts about it. This car is fast, furious and drop dead gorgious. But it is a heap of sh*t as far as its reliability. and Porche warranty and after sales service is pathetic! I doub't I would ever buy another porker. My bet is that most 996's will suffer some serious problem within 3 years....even if that just means a clutch going at 10k! From this experience the owner won't buy another. Result: Porsche will go down the tubes. They better get their act together soon....