20 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH996 $18,000 Smog Repair
Leading reported evidence
Replace check valve and shutoff valves
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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
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.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The check valve and shutoff valves have been replaced with a superseded part that combines the two, and so it just becomes a headache for the Merc tech.
Leading evidence: 'Replace check valve and shutoff valves' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'dealers concern about selling it retail in california' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean condition' (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.
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
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.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The car was ran several times at auction, but didn't hit the dealership's reserve.
dealers concern about selling it retail in california
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
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 suspect a cause
1
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Suspected cause
I think the issue is the dealers concern about selling it retail in California with known smog issues.
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
It had 109K miles, but appeared to be in good, clean condition.
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 · Original poster
Evidently the car could not pass smog and would require $18,000 of repair, supposedly at-cost to the Mercedes dealer, to get it passed.
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Suggestion
$18k for a �smog repair� is just sheer stupidity on the part of the �mechanic�, and the dealer for that matter - the first thing he should do is fire his �mechanic� for not being a � wait for it� mechanic!
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Suggestion
You could pretty easily replace/rebuild the entire engine for that amount�🙄 I get that they don�t want to deal with that, but to actually tell someone that story as if it�s real or makes any sense is just stupid.
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Suggestion
If the pump isn't the issue, there is a check valve behind the alternator that fails in the closed position and that is also easy to diagnose, but harder to replace because you have to remove the alternator.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The check valve and shutoff valves have been replaced with a superseded part that combines the two, and so it just becomes a headache for the Merc tech.
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 · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T144035Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
My god. Searching for a manual coupe 996 in the Southern California area I stumbled upon a 1999 silver, automatic coupe. As I arrived at the dealership in Santa Monica to check out the car, I got a last-minute text from the manager, saying that they had decided not to sell the car, but to put it up for auction instead.
Evidently the car could not pass smog and would require $18,000 of repair, supposedly at-cost to the Mercedes dealer, to get it passed. The sales manager was incredibly kind and helpful and offered to walk me down to their mechanic to check it out since I had driven down to see it. We talked for awhile with their in-house mechanic who said that essentially it was either an air pump or they had to remove the air pump to get to the problem. Also the heads might have to be removed.
The best part is he said this was the second time he had heard of this exact thing happening.
I walked back to my 2009 E350 wagon in bright silver and all of a sudden the car had never looked to beautiful.
Has anyone heard of this happening before?
The heads don't have to be removed, and no way it will cost $18K !!
The worst case is if it has stopped up SAI ports in the heads. In that case, the headers will need to removed (not the heads) , and a "roto-rooter" ran up through the ports, Usually an old speedometer cable attached to a drill motor works great.
Best case is it is just a vacuum leak, but no way it will cost $18K , they just don't know exactly how to work on M96 engines and are CTA 'ing ( covering their ***)....
First thought would be to offer what the Mercedes dealer wants minus $18k. But keep in the back of your mind if you are NOT a DIY guy...
1. Engine refresh will run you $10k+
2. Reputable Engine rebuild runs $25k+
3. Suspension refresh will run you $5k+labor
4. Exhaust refresh will run you $5k+labor
5. Other misc items will run you $5k+
That's $25k to $40k+ in refresh/rebuild costs plus the cost of the car depending on its condition.
However, the car may be in perfect shape with a great engine that has been well serviced, a refreshed suspension and exhaust, with misc items already taken car of.
Maybe they will allow you to take the car to a Porsche Indy that knows the m96 powered 996 extremely well to do an invasive PPI. It may be the bargain of the century.
I think the issue is the dealers concern about selling it retail in California with known smog issues. They probably would rather wholesale it through an auction or other means and be done with it, not sure they would sell it to you at any price offer. I have attended auctions where they inform you from the podium “not legal for sale in California “ for this exact reason, good luck maybe you can move forward.
Rich
The real problem here is a Mercedes "in-house" mechanic attempting to diagnose a Porsche emissions issue.
Tell'm you'll buy the car as-is for the difference between the true market value and the $18K repair. Then take it to a shop that knows these cars and can get it back up and running properly.
Actually, it happened to me last Fall. There was a nice 997 coupe listed at a dealership in North Carolina. I inquired about the car and of course, I got the usual salesman spill about how great the car was and how it was an amazing deal at $33,000. It had 109K miles, but appeared to be in good, clean condition. I requested an inspection and they replied with a form response that all their cars go through a 100 point inspection yadda yadda yadda.
I didn't believe it and wasn't willing to drive 3 hrs to see that it was a mistake.
Therefore, I again, kindly asked for a ECU scan that showed readiness status, overrev report, cam dev, fuel trim, etc... and if all possible bore scope of bank#2. They denied my request. I moved on. Wasn't a week that went by and the car was removed. Did it sell? I asked, but NO response from the dealer. Nothing.
I logged into my nephew's dealership auction accounts and found the car was sent to auction. Of course, dealer wholesale auctions require inspections before they're listed. These inspections are handled by the auction company. Boooom... red light car! The car was suffering from misfires on all cylinders and showing emissions related DTCs. The car was ran several times at auction, but didn't hit the dealership's reserve. They probably took it in on trade and now suffering from a bad choice. And, because they refuse to have it inspected for me or even have a conversation, I sent a screen grab of the car at auction with the DTCs listed to the sales manager. Of course, no response. lol
Due diligence friends!
They clearly have no clue what they�re talking about. $18k for a �smog repair� is just sheer stupidity on the part of the �mechanic�, and the dealer for that matter - the first thing he should do is fire his �mechanic� for not being a � wait for it� mechanic! You could pretty easily replace/rebuild the entire engine for that amount�🙄 I get that they don�t want to deal with that, but to actually tell someone that story as if it�s real or makes any sense is just stupid. It seems there�s a lot of that going around these days�
If smog isn't a concern, and it's the SAI system that is indeed the problem, then the easy (and fun) route would be to delete the SAI system... block off plates for the ports, rip out all the plumbing and pump, and flash the ECU with RoW maps (no SAI).
If the law in CA is that you can't sell a non-smog compliant car, and you can't buy it from the dealer even if you live in another state, then that ends it. But if not, something doesn't seem right. A secondary air pump failure is easy to determine and if needed, a replacement is a cheap AND easy repair. If the pump isn't the issue, there is a check valve behind the alternator that fails in the closed position and that is also easy to diagnose, but harder to replace because you have to remove the alternator. In any case it is easy to diagnose, if you know the car. And if you do, the parts and labor would be <$2K.
If it is clogged secondary air injection ports as noted by Porschetech3, his solution would, also, be easy to diagnose and remediate. I agree with him that the technician may be in over his head. The check valve and shutoff valves have been replaced with a superseded part that combines the two, and so it just becomes a headache for the Merc tech.
CA law is that the seller must smog the car before it can be legally sold. As a private seller you can sometimes get away with "buyer smogs" but legally speaking the buyer can screw the seller if this occurs. An intelligent dealership would never attempt it.
You can sell a car in CA without smog but must tell buyer the car is being sold as is and can't pass smog in CA. rather than tell, I would put in the contract.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
