My bores are (probably) scored….

My pride and joy 2003 996 Carrera 2 developed an increasingly unhealthy sounding loud ticking noise and recently started using more oil than usual. This week, my usual independent specialist has diagnosed suspected bore scoring - which, listening to confirmed examples on YouTube, sounds entirely correct. He advised me against even spending the money on a borescope and just to move the car on as quickly as possible… I‘m think I’m going to get a second opinion and speak to a local specialist about the likely cost of sorting it out - but looking at what it costs to get Hartech to do it, I’m struggling to see how I can justify the expenditure. I don’t have a specific question to ask here - any commiserations and/or constructive thoughts will be gratefully received while I weigh things up!

Hi Tim, I am sorry to hear about your problem with your 996. How long have you noticed there being a problem for please? Have you had it long and how many miles has it covered please? Tim

Sounds like a nightmare and you have my sympathies. Out of morbid curiousity, what kind of fee were Hartech talking about?

Hi sorry to hear that, you might want to watch Joe's vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDMA-TenYWg

Thanks All. @flatstick, I’d watched an earlier video of his but hadn’t seen that one so thanks for the link. I have to say after all the build up in the video, £10k was exactly what I would have expected and it sounds like he had a fair bit of extra work done too! From what I know, Strasse are pretty reputable too. @robbo21, thankfully Hartech have a very comprehensive page on pricing here: https://www.hartech.org/rebuild-prices I’m assuming as a bare minimum I’d be in for: - Base Engine Rebuild (Car & Engine): £3600 + VAT - Option d) 6 x New Cylinders: £2500 + VAT (don’t see any point in just doing 1 or 2, frankly) New Piston: From £210 + VAT x2? £6,520 + VAT = £7,824 I’m betting there’d be plenty of other bits and bobs that need doing too, plus a full service kit, so I’m working on the basis of 10k… @eagle1972, I’ve had the car for 2 and a half years. In that time I’ve done about 4K miles - the pandemic has seriously dented the amount of time I’d intended to spend driving it! I first noticed the sound probably about 12 months ago but it wasn’t using any oil so I tried not to worry too much about it. It has fairly recently (last few months) started using oil and ticking has got quite a bit louder, which was why I asked my Indy to have a look…

I run mine on a slightly thicker oil to help prevent this, usually a 10W-50. Have occasionally used something with a bit of ZDDP too, cats still fine.

Mine’s had 10w60 in it since I bought it on the advice of my indy

...I would question using ‘your usual independent’ after a comment such as this anyway [8|] Sorry to hear of your potential bore scoring - Hartech are the place to go to remedy, if you decide to bite the bullet - best of luck [ ]

Cheers! Had a chat with Hartech today… leaning towards "embracing the pain” as they put it ??

Just a quick update for anyone who's interested... I have bitten the bullet and dropped the car off on Wednesday. Hartech have already been in touch to say they have confirmed the bore scoring and the engine and gearbox are now in the process of being removed. Scary (but a bit exciting) times ahead!

I hope it goes as smoothly as it can and would be interested in the updates please.

Thanks - I’ll post updates as and when there is news! As far as I know, the next step after the strip down and inspection is a phone consultation with their recommendations (must do/strongly recommend/nice to do etc) to set a plan - and budget of course.

Unfortunately this can happen to any of us 996 owners at anytime, I would recommend Hartech as the main place to go in your situation and I’m sure you will not regret you decision. Good luck & enjoy it when it's back. Andy

Many thanks Andy - I fully intend to!

I promised an update and so here we go… I spent a really helpful chunk of time on the phone to Grant at Hartech yesterday who very patiently (and at times gently!) talked me through what their team has found with my engine - and a few bits more besides. I found the process really helpful, especially as in a few areas Grant was able to say "if this was my car, I would…” - in some cases it was "do it” and in other cases "leave it for now”. And I believe he has a 996 so he knows what he’s talking about! It means spending a bit more than I’d budgeted/hoped, but we all know that when you start pulling a thread with a car, it can very quickly unravel! I’ve put aside my thoughts of increasing the engine size - the aim here is to treat all of the known weak spots now in the hope that the engine never needs to come out again (certainly not in my ownership!). So, we’ve got a plan and I should hopefully get the car back next month, if all goes according to that plan. I have had no involvement with Hartech before all this but I have to say that so far I’ve been really impressed… Hopefully I can close this thread off in a few weeks with pics of the car back on the road!!

I'm sure you won't regret using them. It's not worth skimping on things when this happens. Good luck Andy

Thanks Andy