19 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH996 w/Tracking and AutoX Bad?
Leading reported evidence
Replace regularly
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 performed work without a confirmed outcome
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.
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.
Suggestion
Yes they're used a bit harder at times but the owners are usually much more aware of keeping fresh (and high quality) fulids in the car and the cars are regularly inspected for tech inspections as well which could bring out any problem areas and make them very apparent.
Leading evidence: 'Replace regularly' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Inspect tech inspections as well' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
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 performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
So far the car is pretty reliable except both cats failed but were replaced under warranty.
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 performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
My engine was just replaced with 32k miles and no track time.
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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Suggestion
Yes they're used a bit harder at times but the owners are usually much more aware of keeping fresh (and high quality) fulids in the car and the cars are regularly inspected for tech inspections as well which could bring out any problem areas and make them very apparent.
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
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.
Suggestion
tasks more frequently (oil changes, pads, brake fluid, etc.) but these cars will hold up fine for years of track use.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Inspect tech inspections as well
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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.
Suggestion
Yes they're used a bit harder at times but the owners are usually much more aware of keeping fresh (and high quality) fulids in the car and the cars are regularly inspected for tech inspections as well which could bring out any problem areas and make them very apparent.
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.
Suggestion
Yes they're used a bit harder at times but the owners are usually much more aware of keeping fresh (and high quality) fulids in the car and the cars are regularly inspected for tech inspections as well which could bring out any problem areas and make them very apparent.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
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.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T154520Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I've read lots on 996 engine life but havn't found any info on how reliable the engine when doing lots of autox and track days throughout the year. The car would also be a daily driver. This is an '03 C4s w/25K miles. If it is serviced regularly than does this type of use deminish the engines life span?? or is this engine bullet proof??
Thanks,
Ed-
First!
3.4 and 3.6 engines are ticking time bombs. They all blow up, or catch on fire, or get RMS, or have some other catastophic failure. DON'T DRIVE IT. Anywhere. Not on the road. Not on the track.
Besides, the watercooled 996 is not a real race/track car. You need something aircooled like a 993.
-td
Woohoo! First!!
Awww - now that's just wrong.... no fair - you're out of order.
Personally, I haven't any idea - and I don't know anyone does. My engine was just replaced with 32k miles and no track time. I went to my first DE a few weeks ago and had an absolute blast. Am I hooked? I dunno, but I'm going to VIR next month...
As for reliability - you would expect all wear-related suspension components to wear more quickly with track and autox. However, these are consumables, just like tires and brakes (which are VERY consumable).
As for engines - I think that all you can do is make sure you service the engine properly, make sure the oil is good and warm before taxing it, and keep your fingers crossed. If it's gonna let go, then I don't think you can do anything about it but keep your piggy bank full or get a great warranty that covers the engine and seals. There's lot's of folks with higher miles, and several of us who have lost their engine prematurely. You will drive yourself nuts trying to figure it out - if it was that easy, PCNA and others would have already figured it out... a new (reman'd) engine installed is less than $15k...
I broke my replacement engine in according to the book, and now I'm gonna drive mine as it's meant to be driven...
My car has 80k miles. It has seen many, many track days. It's first track outing was at 1K miles. My car has been dead reliable (save for the RMS early on which was taken care of).
I, however, do go above and beyond the maintainence schedule. You cannot stick to the factory schedule and track the car. The fluids get replaced regularly. Brake fluid flush is probably happening 3x year, maybe more. Differential fluids, etc all get replaced at 15K miles. Coolant gets replaced.
I don't beat on the car, but there is ZERO reason to buy a 100k sports car if you're not going to use it. Just don't be cruel to the car and it will reward you.
That said, there is this thing called luck. It's a bitch. Some people get bad cars and seem to have no luck. I got lucky this time. My Audi wasn't so lucky but I tracked that thing too.
I don't think you can predict engine failures - but if it would ease your mind, drop 2k and buy an ext warranty (from the dealer even). Then drive the hell out of it!! These cars were designed to withstand the rigors of the track (or parking lot).
Got my 996 with 84k on it last year and went to my first "DE" with it this summer at 91k, lost the motor (3.4) at the event and had to replace it ......... for what it's worth!
Personally I'm of the mindset that cars that are regularly tracked or used in Auto-X are maintianed to a much higher standard than an every day driver ever is. Yes they're used a bit harder at times but the owners are usually much more aware of keeping fresh (and high quality) fulids in the car and the cars are regularly inspected for tech inspections as well which could bring out any problem areas and make them very apparent.
Andy
I just put over 10 track days this summer. Some were PCA and some were private track days with lots of track time. So far the car is pretty reliable except both cats failed but were replaced under warranty. I did put the X51 oil pan to help prevent oil starvation. I like the car and really not afraid to track it although I did spend a few bucks on suspension, sway bars, brakes.
Ed,
Enjoy your car on the road and track. With proper care tracking will not decrease the life of your car. You'll certainly need to perform some maint. tasks more frequently (oil changes, pads, brake fluid, etc.) but these cars will hold up fine for years of track use.
I've driven my 986 (which uses a smaller version of the same engine in the 996) for eight years of road and track use with no adverse affects.
if your going to track regularly make sure you use Mobil1 5W50... that is if you want longevity... track wear related failures will happen later than sooner... but you can protect your engine against high temperatures with Mobil1 5W50 (which also flows well in colder temperature)... maybe also invest in a X51 oil pan to prevent oil starvation...
Clearly you were not around when this topic, and many others, were discussed in various contexts. My post was a facetious and humorous way of saying, do a search. Those that have been around a while caught the references. You ok with that Ben or should I say Sean?
FWIW, here are some of the old posts, so you can be in the "know" instead of left field:
Thread: Is the 996 a bad tack car
Thread: 996 Not a real Porsche
Thread: How reliable are 3.4 engines
Thread: 996 Reliability
Thread: Car catching fire (1)
Thread: Car fire (2)
Thread: catastrophic engine failure
Thread: IMS Failure
Here is a classic answer that should be ingrained in all our memories:
At least I didn't do that
-td
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