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Replace sparkplug tubes &
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My 01 C4 w/ 83k leaked upon purchase---replaced the sparkplug tubes & that took care of it as it was the obvious source.
Leading evidence: 'Replace sparkplug tubes &' (1 discussions report resolution; 0 report an unsuccessful attempt). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'obvious source' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace sparkplug tubes &' (1 discussions). For that action, 1 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. The most frequently reported fix is 'Replace sparkplug tubes &', supported by resolution reports in 1 discussions. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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My 01 C4 w/ 83k leaked upon purchase---replaced the sparkplug tubes & that took care of it as it was the obvious source.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Also, I haven't had any smoke on startup in a while (even before I changed the oil it had ceased).
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
None of this is to suggest that your car's a "horror story" - when I first acquire any used car, the first job is to try to learn everything you can about its condition and put together a maintenance schedule.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Highly recommend the experience for the instruction.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Again going to do another oil change here with Rotella T6 5-40 and we'll see if that makes a difference, and I'll be cutting open that filter again too.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Also from what I've seen of other posts regarding noises of this kind (if indeed it is a noisy lifter) it could take a couple oil changes of this treatment, it could take a cleansing flush, or it might not work itself out requiring work of a more mechanical nature.
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I'm not losing sleep over it because he's put in over 30,000 miles with no change in the noise just fine.
Hi everyone, I've been lurking for about 2 months. Just bought a 2002 Carrera Coupe last month (Arctic Silver), and I'm loving every second of it. Man it's a little daunting coming on here and reading some horror stories but I've learned a lot too. Very happy to be here and learn from all of you as well as share in the joys of being a 911 owner.
I do have some concerns about my car. The engine ticks, and a fellow PCA member offered to put it up on his lift for me and listen to it with a mechanics stethoscope. Found out the noise is most noticable on passenger side right where the header goes to the head (cylinder 1 I believe? front right side). From what I've read and heard from others, maybe a sticky lifter? Most of the time the clicking is NOT present on a cold start in the morning, but warming up slightly you hear it at idle, as well as accelerating with the revs in 1st and 2nd gear. Previous owner also noticed it in the 3 years he owned it. I'm not losing sleep over it because he's put in over 30,000 miles with no change in the noise just fine. He also had the master mechanic at the dealership listen to it and he said "normal" to have valve noise especially considering the age. That being said it's still annoying and hard not to think about trying to fix. It uses oil, I've added almost 2 quarts in about 2,000 miles. Note: I'm using M1 15-50 but friend in the club suggested using Rotella T6 5-40 and *perhaps* BG MOA with it and see if that quiets it down. There's no loss of power, and gas mileage is great.
Other things to note, the water pump to my knowledge has never been replaced. The AOS I am going to replace with the help of the previous owner (lots of smoke at start occasionally, other times non-existent). Any way that could be connected to engine ticking? I've noticed little black flecks and soot on the rear bumper around the left exhaust pipe.
Thanks for your help and time, cheers to 996.
Not redundant. You mention in your first paragraph that you have read horror stories about the 996.
However, you now own a 911 that is burning through quite a bit of oil, has a ticking engine and a smoking AOS.
I hope I'm wrong, but this is a horror story in the making...
I would be more worried, but I feel like if it was catastrophic, it would be in a lot worse condition than it appears to be. As to the AOS, I'm not driving down the road in a cloud of smoke. And correct me if I'm wrong but if I'm seeing a completely failed lifter that could cause damage, I'd be seeing more signs than a simple tick. Could just be an exhaust leak?
Replace the AOS asap. And keep an eye on the waterpump, if you think it might be weeping/leaking replace that as well. If it is the original, it's time anyway.
Change the oil and filter and cut the old filter apart and check that out for metal bits. Then refill the oil with a weight that is appropriate and recommended, i.e. 0W40, if for nothing else but to establish a baseline usage that can be compared to others over time. A quart every 1000 miles is a lot but considered within spec by some mfg's (not sure about Porsche). My '02 uses none or at least not a measurable amount, I think most here see the same (i.e. no or next to no usage). I see no reason why someone in Kansas should be using a 15W50 oil in a stock 996 engine.
And welcome, post some pics of the car!
PPI was done at the dealership and other than replacement of rear tires next spring as well as rear brake pads, they said it's in great condition and said they would expect many more thousands of miles on the car no problem.
Did an oil change with the seller before I even pulled the trigger, and the filter was very clean. Again going to do another oil change here with Rotella T6 5-40 and we'll see if that makes a difference, and I'll be cutting open that filter again too. Agreed about that thick of oil for Kansas especially considering it's starting to cool off those 100+ temps now.
Noise & oil consumption is not a good mix. 2 quarts in 2k miles is pretty severe if you're not leaking anywhere.
It sounds like it could possibly be a scored cylinder. I *think* that is much more common than bad lifters. I would borescope the cylinders on that side. Then you'll know for sure.
You can either have a shop do it or buy one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/digital...era-67979.html
An oil leak / seep for a 15-year-old car isn't a big deal. Mine had one when I got it - it needed a cam cover reseal. More important than having a leak is knowing what's leaking (AOS in your case) and being able to afford the repair (because you
need
to replace it, based on the smoking at start comment). I certainly don't rate the AOS as a catastrophic repair, but it would be in the "now" column on my "now/soon/someday" maintenance chart.
I can't opine about burning a quart of oil per thousand miles, as my car does not burn an appreciable amount of oil between changes. That seems like a lot, given that these cars are supposed to burn some oil during break-in and less thereafter. I would expect that the stuff on the bumper is related to the oil consumption. In addition to being symptomatic of wear or some other issue, running that much oil through the catalytic converters is going to reduce their lifespan. Since a faulty AOS is known to result in excess oil winding up in the throttle body, and your AOS is already on the chopping block, perhaps fixing one will help with the other.
I'd definitely work to get a more reliable diagnosis for the ticking beyond the previous owner's hearsay that a mechanic stated that it was normal valve noise. That's not to say that it ISN'T just normal valve noise - that's just the kind of thing I want to hear directly from the mechanic instead of taking a third party's word for it.
None of this is to suggest that your car's a "horror story" - when I first acquire any used car, the first job is to try to learn everything you can about its condition and put together a maintenance schedule.
Well, maybe the FIRST job is to go tear around town in the 911 for a while...
Enjoy the car, good luck tracking down any gremlins, and welcome to the forum.
I hope they are right...but it looks like they missed a few things. Were you aware of the engine tick, oil consumption and AOS issue prior to purchase?
I wasn't aware of it no. The engine tick isn't present on startup, only after it warms up a bit and unless you have the air conditioner off and no talking you can't hear it from the inside. Now that I know of it I listen for it without meaning to.
Thanks for the good info I do plan on doing the aos as soon as I can. I'll do the oil change next weekend and let you know how it turns out
Sounds like it sounds like a Porsche.
I can hear what sounds like "ticking" during idle, so...
I don't like the oil consumption rate. Now if it were a BMW, I'd say you had a keeper.
TC
P.S.--Welcome! There's a wealth of talent and experience here always ready to help.
My 01 C4 w/ 83k leaked upon purchase---replaced the sparkplug tubes & that took care of it as it was the obvious source. Been a hotrodder/motorhead for 60 yrs & never had to remove mufflers for spark plug tube replacement .
Bob
01 C4
31 Ford cp chp & ch, 302/350
40 ******, 302/350, IFS
38 Ford cp, 327/350, IFS
57 Belair
62 356B --long ago
Isaac...
For a little light reading on the 3.6 M96 engine, oil consumption and ticking, have a look at<
www.hartech.org/
> Look under "Buyers Guide" part #5 for details.
Hartech are the English equivalent of Jake Raby's Flat 6 setup and have a very good rep in Europe.
Alright guys well I did an oil change about 3 or 4 weeks ago to Rotella T6 with great results. No more of this
I no longer use ANY oil, haven't even had to top it off. Quite the change going from having to add a quart every other week or so.
Also, I haven't had any smoke on startup in a while (even before I changed the oil it had ceased).
Engine does still have a noticeable "click." After looking and listening around underneath some more I'm becoming more convinced that it's an exhaust leak. On the exhaust pipes there are some black marks around clamps (not sure that's what they're actually called) that could be reverberating the click. The noise isn't always consistent.
All that being said I'm going to add BG MOA, I've heard very good things about it for these engines and the qualities it provides to the oil.
Gonna get her all cleaned up once the weather here is more permitting and do a nice photo shoot.
Happy driving guys
Had a chance to take some pictures at the local autocross event last week! Had a lot of fun learning to (truly) drive my car as well as ride with some top notch drivers. Highly recommend the experience for the instruction.
Here's a few of my 996
Here's a few more from the autocross
Found out this guy is one of my neighbors!
The area of this autocross has a thriving Amish culture and naturally on a Sunday morning they were all out on their way to church.
Wanna compare horsepower?
Beautiful car, sounds like you are getting it sorted out. Do I understand that the "tick" is now a "click"? Years (and years) ago I used to get a "ticking" from an over heated cat converter. Since you are only hearing it after the car is warm and running it make me think that heat/engine/exhaust temps may have something to do with it. Enjoy enjoy enjoy.
Autocross is always fun, you learn to control the car and push it beyond the limits with minimum risk to you and others, I'm still getting used to my Porsche maybe after a few drivers Ed I may venture to take it into an autocross event, have fun with yours!!!
Yes it definitely is a bit quieter now. As I pull away from a stop it still is quite noticeable if I have all the air and radio off so I still may be in for a lifter change or something in the future. As for now the oil change with addition of MOA seems to be helping, just as others have posted about in the past regarding this problem. Also from what I've seen of other posts regarding noises of this kind (if indeed it is a noisy lifter) it could take a couple oil changes of this treatment, it could take a cleansing flush, or it might not work itself out requiring work of a more mechanical nature. I fear that I might need to take it in to the indy to have him look at it, considering I don't have the ability to do an engine drop to do that kind of maintenance myself. The noise does come from the right bank though so we'll see.
Great idea. Is that something I can order easily or do I need to have them painted somewhere?
I do love that bumper though. It's really hard to see in the picture (litte more noticeable in person but honestly it just looks like part of the grill) but previous owner put on a black plastic type of mesh to keep the bigger leaves and debris from going straight to the radiators. It's done a great job.
Edit: Oh well that was an easy google.
http://www.bumperplugs.com/index.php...&product_id=71
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
