Newbie looking for Motor clarification

I keep hearing about a particular motor in early 996's that seems have issues... I believe it is like an M36 or something similar. How can I tell and identify a "CAR" that has this less than perfect motor? Also, what is the nature of the issues in laymans terms? Thanks, Buzz

Oh boy. The 996 series porsches all have the m96 series engine. The biggest differences are between the 99 to 01 model years and the 02 to 05 model years. All have the potential to have issues. Neglect is usually what triggers these engines to have problems. Sitting for a long time, not changing the oil (regardless of miles driven) and lack of overall maintence.

you dont say as much as I hate this post because it really misses severL key points, you might read this...and any other of the 3k threads on IMS issues - M96 is a case/motor design. It was built so Porsche could make a low cost car and sell a lot of them. It worked. It is much cheaper to buy (say 1/2 price or less) than the traditional Porsche motor case still available in the Turbo, GT2, GT3's https://rennlist.com/forums/8278198-post2.html btw get ready for a fire storm: M96 looks like this: not the flat bottom aka oil pan the "other motor" looks like this: (note the large seam where the case 1/2s are put together yopu can Identify a car with a "less than perfect motor" as one that was build before tomorrow. ALL MOTORS are less than perfect...I have been machining for 20 years and can tell you I have NEVER made a perfect part. That said i have made 10's of thousands of parts that are pretty damn good, maybe even considered perfect by the people asking for them, but not perfect....never perfect, if you think something is perfect you just need better inspection tools and higher resolution (ala more decimal places)

we got Sticky threads for a reason............

I do not own a 996 (yet) but am searching for the "right one" to use as a daily driver and occasional auto crosser. I have test driven many 911s and have discussed the M96 issues with owners and experts at some length. I have found that it would be a rare 996 that has a "perfect" motor--assuming that by perfect you mean a motor that features Porsche character combined with bullet-proof reliability. The M96 motor is known to leak oil, especially around the cam covers and via the main seal where oil or oily dirt is visible in the area where crankcase and transmission come together. I have heard others swear that oil passes through the castings themselves (I've heard similar claims from euro sport bike owners). Personal bias: I don't like engines that leak oil whether it's the landscaper's F-150 leaving its mark on my driveway or a stunning C2 aero coupe dripping on my garage floor. Oil leaks in POrsche's are often viewed as annoyances. Oil stains pale in comparison (pun intended) to intermediate shaft bearing failures. Some will claim that the dreaded IMS issue is a hoax devised by unscrupulous tuners and parts houses who are simply cashing in on the fears of weak-minded Porsche owners. "Would that it were so". I've seen the receipts for IMS failure repair. It's sobering. Per the dealer where one 996 with IMS failure was towed, the C2 coupe was (beyond) totaled by the IMS failure. The repairs were eventually made for less, but the damage was very real and the owner is wildly under water in terms of investment versus resale value of his repaired 911--for which he lost his interest and is selling (or trying to) with an asking price $8000 above the market. Back to your question... how can you tell if a 996 motor is less than perfect? In my opinion these are the warning signs: -Cardboard on the garage floor under the engine -Seller/owner has never heard of RMS -Seller/owner has replaced RMS several times (with receipts) yet the cardboard is still on the floor and the bottom on the motor is still oily. -Seller/owner has never heard of IMS -Seller/owner says all racing cars leak oil -Seller/owner says he has many friends with older Porsches and they have never had IMS issues -Seller/owner gets angry when asked about RMS/IMS and suggests you consider an Accord or Camry At this point in my M96 education I am inclined to define my ideal 996 motor as one that has >5,000 miles per year since new, has not had chronic RMS failures, has never suffered IMS failure but has the LNE IMS retrofit or upgrade. Good luck, j

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Aaahhhh, Its so fun being a newbie... I must admit I did not read all "three thousand" of the posts on the IMS bearing issues, etc. However, I did read this one.. day one, I got on the forum... but, missed the part that I could identify which car had which case design, and if one motor was factually less likely for the bearing failure. I'm so dumb, I actually thought maybe 2 different engines were running around. I was really trying to be somewhat diplomatic to either engine style. OK.. got it now! One motor M96, two case designs, same potential issues. Easy Money! The pictures said a mouthful! Thanks Ivangene for the pics... I will either buy one with a "big ol split" in the case or one without a "big ol split" in the case?? LOL. Thanks also for the heads up on the Firestorm... I guess I can understand how it could cause passionate discussions. I hope I can get into one very soon with my very own Motor. (If I stumble on the right 3-10 year old car.. with a perfect used engine ). Damn, and to think going from 25 year old Japanese Sports-bikes to modern Porsche's would almost guarantee perfection. Thanks for the help! BUZZ

Wait, that's it? Darn, my microwave just dinged. Clarification question: was it not 2002.5 when the motors changed, or was it start of 2002? And dang, it might almost be worth getting pulled over to see this: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/02/..._unveil_n.html

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That is a great reply j.

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8/2001 (MY2002) was when the change was made as that is when production changed.