20 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHMayo in the coolant.... but clean oil?
Leading reported evidence
Check oil stick
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I checked some topics here and checked the oil stick, which is completely clean and the oil looks beautiful.
Leading evidence: 'Check oil stick' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'cracked too' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check coolant, there is mayonaise in there' (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.
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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.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I checked some topics here and checked the oil stick, which is completely clean and the oil looks beautiful.
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.
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 · Original poster
Several misfires (o o) - (Replaced coils and plugs - fixed)
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.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
At the same time one can price new and used heads.
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Suggestion
However, to be certain that no coolant is in the oil the real check involves having the oil analyzed for among other things anti-freeze chemicals in the oil.
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Suggestion
Well, maybe pics can be sent to the head repair shop and from the pics the shop can know if the head has a crack in a place it can be repaired or if the head is toast.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
cracked too
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect 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.
Suspected cause
Used heads were a bit less but I seem to recall one poster here who went through this while he found several used heads these all proved to be cracked too.
Outcome qualification: Negation, uncertainty or missing explicit repair resolution overrides the raw extraction signal.
Coverage and how to read this overview
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.
20 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 · 1 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T205155Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hello guys,
Posted this in the wrong one before... Had a heart attack yesterday as I was checking the coolant, there is mayonaise in there.. I checked some topics here and checked the oil stick, which is completely clean and the oil looks beautiful.
I went to the garage and they said 'New Engine' right away, they told me they could clean the radiators out (see if there is mayo in there) and the reservoir as well, this sets me back about a 1000$. This would not solve the problem and they said the best would be a new engine. Thing is, if it was a blown gasket, wouldn't the oil be full of mayo as well?
It has done about 85,000Miles.. It's a 2001 996 Carrera, 3.4L.
New engine....depends. I just went through some drama around this topic. Good luck, you will get some good advice. Some other good advice. Someone is selling a 3.4L from a TIP car for $7,500.
https://rennlist.com/forums/parts-marketplace-old/887726-2001-996-3-4l-engine-and-tiptronic-transmission.html
Also, doesn't sound like your shop really gives a ****. Find a new one that's willing to give you a concise answer.
Went through the same thing days after buying my car. The oil looked fine, the coolant... not so much. Mine was a cracked head. I found a good indy that repaired it. Expect a hefty bill, but cheaper than a new engine.
Anecdotally this is almost never a gasket, usually a cracked head. Get the system flushed ASAP so the oil doesn't kill all your coolant hoses as you decide on a course of action. The hoses degrade quickly with the oil/coolant sludge in there and replacing them all will cost a ton.
Oil pressure can win out over coolant pressure and as a result oil can end up in the coolant while no coolant gets in the oil.
However, to be certain that no coolant is in the oil the real check involves having the oil analyzed for among other things anti-freeze chemicals in the oil.
While as others have offered the problem is likely a cracked head, are you sure that there is no chance someone added oil to the coolant tank?
How long since the last oil change and did you change it yourself? Oil would be clean if the crack was minor and oil was relatively new. Did you just get this car?
Typically the '01 models tend to have the most cracked heads.
Thanks for the quick answers. My girlfriend who occasionally rides it doesn't even know how to open the bay, and no-one else gets to this so I cannot imagine how someone else could have done this. Had the car for about 6 months when it did it's last oil change and was due up for changing this month (5500Mi on this oil so far) and had quite a few problems since buying it.
Power steering pump leaking oil (replaced)
Several misfires (o o) - (Replaced coils and plugs - fixed)
Windshield wiper hose came off.
Maybe the misfires (I shut off the engine immediately) have something to do with it. Thing is, how easy is it for Porsche to find out what it is? So far it seems very difficult, as the shop I went to couldn't give me an answer whatsoever..
If we're talking a cylinder head, around how much are we talking?
I have no recent prices but seem to recall a few years ago new heads were going around the $2500 range.
Used heads were a bit less but I seem to recall one poster here who went through this while he found several used heads these all proved to be cracked too.
It is possible the existing head if cracked can be repaired by welding IIRC.
One can only know if the head can be repaired by having the head removed and sent to a shop that specializes in these kinds of repairs. Well, maybe pics can be sent to the head repair shop and from the pics the shop can know if the head has a crack in a place it can be repaired or if the head is toast.
At the same time one can price new and used heads. If one goes with a used head he must take the trouble to ensure the head is not cracked or otherwise unsuitable for reuse.
You said you didn't see any coolant in the oil but just checking the dipstick doesn't mean squat. Did you actually drain all the oil and inspect it?
If so, instead of jumping the gun, I would get all the coolant drained and refilled a few times to see if it's still there or greatly diminished. Are you saying you only owned it for 6 months? It could be the PO had some head issues and might've resolved the cracked head but left the coolant/oil mix intact in the cooling system without replacing all the hoses or doing a full flush. Either way, if there was oil in the cooling system, it is recommended that you replace all the coolant hoses which can be expensive as well.
"IF" you can find a reputable indy I would think you could pull/repair/reinstall the head only for maybe 6K or so. You have to be sure which head has a problem though. While my heads were off I had new valve seals put in, lifters reconditioned, and new timing chain pads installed. I also went ahead and did all updates like the expansion tank/lid, thermostat, hoses, LN IMS bearing(since the engine was out), rms seal, radiators, and a few other things. It's a slippery slope... Draw a line in the sand on what you are willing to spend to continue driving a 911 and try to stick to it. Otherwise you'll end up with more in the repairs than the purchase price.
Mayo in coolant means you are running short trips and condensation is not getting burnt off.
Mayo in oil and coolant is a sign that you may have a cracked head because of intermix.
Let's see some pics first before tearing the engine apart.
I have to correct you there, mayo in coolant should never happen, if there is, something is really wrong. Mayo in oil filler pipe though that is common with 911s due to condensation of oil because of short trips, low RPMs or cold weather. Had it myself.
Arne,
I know the machinist who did the repair you linked to. From you in Norway it is a looong voyage for any Viking ! The guy is so good he has engines and parts shipped to him from as far away as Australia, so it may be a good idea to use him?
The critical issue is one of experience with these specific cylinder heads. A welder could do a hack heliarc repair on it but it would probably be useless.
If your tests do confirm you have a leak and not just condensation, it would be wise to ask here for a "while you are in there" list from those who have actually done this job -not just the 'keyboard mechanics'.
I read that there are cheap used Porsche engines available on EBay in Europe from Poland.They sometimes seem to have been extracted from Porsches that come over the border from Germany in 'interesting' circumstances.YEMV
Ive got the exact same issue with my 2001 996 C2... Mini heart-attack and all...
Only difference is ive owned mine for 4 months and the service history shows an "engine overhaul". Dont see any mention of a cracked head but there are new piston rings, seals etc but no mention of any head work...
Im headed to the shop that did the work previous. Very reputable shop here in the UAE "ARM". Last time I was there they said its a Air - Oil seperator issue.. Going back again to get a second opionion. Thinking about going to Porsche. Will keep you updated when I go by the shop this weekend. Really hoping its not a cracked head and is just an air oil seperator issue or something...
Watching this thread, do keep us updated !
I have been of the philosophy, go the Porsche dealer, get it correctly diagnosed, then go to the indy and tell them to fix the diagnosed problem. I fought with my indy when I told him my 996 had a bad lifter and they said, nah can't be, in the end it was.
Find a better Indy! A good Indy that knows Porsches should be able to out diagnose the dealer, especially on older cars.
If you are paying the dealer to diagnose the issue, are you really saving any money getting your Indy to fix it?
