7 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHThings to look for
Leading reported evidence
Check coolant tank and cap
Suggestion or failed attempt
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 contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
When you have the PPI done make sure they check the coolant tank and cap.
Leading evidence: 'Check coolant tank and cap' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check coolant tank and cap' (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.
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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
Also make sure they check the RMS (Rear Main Seal) for leaks.
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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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
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Suggestion
If you end up replacing the RMS down the road, consider replacing the clutch at the same time because both replacements require the engine to be dropped.
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
If you end up replacing the RMS down the road, consider replacing the clutch at the same time because both replacements require the engine to be dropped.
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
If you end up replacing the RMS down the road, consider replacing the clutch at the same time because both replacements require the engine to be dropped.
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
If you end up replacing the RMS down the road, consider replacing the clutch at the same time because both replacements require the engine to be dropped.
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.
7 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: 20261027T031046Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hi guys
I am a usual poster on the aircooled forum but am venturing over here because of a new potential purchase. I have an opportunity to buy a 99 cab tripple black with 69k on the clock. The car has all original paint and that is about all I know right now. What issues might exist? What should I look for? What is normal for 69k? I plan on a PPI this week but I would like to know what you all think.
Thanks all for your help on this.
Ryan
When you have the PPI done make sure they check the coolant tank and cap. Early 996 coolant tanks are prone to cracking at the bottom of the tank and the original coolant caps would loose their sealing capabilities. On the later version of the cap, the part number ends in 01.
Also make sure they check the RMS (Rear Main Seal) for leaks. The part costs about $75+/- but the labor to replace it is about $700 - $800. If you end up replacing the RMS down the road, consider replacing the clutch at the same time because both replacements require the engine to be dropped.
What are they asking for the car?
Good luck with your purchase.
Hi Ryan...
The usual stuff 1st:
Maintenance records
service history
Rear Main Seal - if leaking it's about a $700-800 fix
Other than that they are fairly solid cars.
At 69K (a bit to much, IMO), do a compression test. And lastly, if anything fails be prepared to walk. There are plenty 996's out there to pick from.
Best of luck.
C.
As said above, the coolant expansion tank is a common thing, so make sure it's been replaced. The rms thing isn't really a big deal if a car does have it. It usually means a slow leak and a few drops on your garage floor, so just put some kitty litter down there until you get your clutch replaced.
What *I* would be most concerned with is how much oil does it use/burn? If the car was all "sealed up" and didn't have any leaky gaskets/seals, then how much oil does it consume? Some cars burn lots of oil, and while these cars may run well, their rings probably aren't seated very well so oil is getting by and burning off. This would also mean slightly less compression and dirty internals, which can lead to issues down the road.
Porsche says that it's normal for an engine to burn a significant amount of oil (like 1quart per 1000miles or more), but trust me there's no reason for a typical 4-stroke engine to burn that much. Just something to keep in mind, but I feel that it's important, and a good yardstick to measure an engine's general health.
