Broken timing chain

Chaps I posted this on the 911UK forum and I was wondering if you lot would like to add your opinions. The bank 2 timing chain (drivers side) has snapped in my 996, causing a damaged head, bent valves, possible block damage etc.... Its currently being diagnosed by Sid at Porsche Torque but I recon it's going to be around £7K worth of damage, possibly more. I'm gutted as I've recently spent £4K on it with new suspension, IMS, RMS, Clutch and a X51 exhaust. What are my options? Fix it, find a S/H replacement engine, find a S/H cylinder head to cut down the costs? Give me your thoughts.

i am in the middle of rebuilding a 996 that had a cracked head, i had a nightmare getting a new head but eventually got mine repaired, i managed to get all the parts for a total rebuild from a combination of design911 and my OPC in colchester . I tried for weeks to find a new head or a recon head, a new head had to be made and no one had a recon head, they are like gold dust,

A new head from Porsche is available at around 2.2k plus vat. They do need to drop the engine and would need to look at the other head and bores both. If you are going to do the job (is it 3.4 or 3.6 engine) then the engine has got to come out anyway You could then get a proper analsys. Speak to Hartech or one of the other specialsts I would think that if its only the head and it can be repaired you could get it done for about 3k (maybe less) Don't get ripped off We have a specialist Head Repairer in Wem in Shropshire . Don't Forget its only an engine its got 6 cylinders. con rods, pistons and valves in a head. Just like nearly every other car in the world. Apart from being extremely well built its an engine. This guy did an incredible job of re building my Audi quattro head. Don't run into the old story of "While its stripped down you might as well" (Spent 10 grand on a car that's not worth much more) " Where are you based

I'm based near Brighton and its a 3.6

It believe its all to do with the value of the car. I thought I had a serious problem with my 2000 911 (3.4) Resell value possibly 12k I was told it could cost up to 6 k without Head replacement 4k extra for 2 new heads Very difficult to justify However your should be worth a lot more particularly if its a convertible Nor sure what is available on the South Coast but I would phone around a speak to specialists who talk about spending as little as possible. Hopefully the right one will talk about dropping the engine and examining it. If its just the head a competent Head specialist should be able to rebuild the head for well under a 1k Possible both for that amount. However its likely to have piston damage which would then need further examination If there is no rush to do the job this will save you money. I think one of the problems is these guys (Especially OPSs) are used to working on cars worth over 50k and expect there to be no problems with spending loads of money. WE have a guy in Mid WAles who always looks for a sensible fix and prices his job sensibly. Best of Luck

its with Sid at Porsche Torque at the moment.

keep us informed Best of luck hopefully its just the Head

Personally I'd replace the engine. You could have a load of work done on the heads only to find a rod, the crank or some bearings are damaged. Chris.

If there is no damage to the pistons its unlikely to damage the engine Depends how much a new engine is

Bent valves? Highly likely. Oh I didn't say new!

There is no way that there can be valve damage without coming into contact with the pistons. So it will need at the very least a rebuilt head and pistons. The only problem is the engine swap is that the replacement is an unknown quantity, unless it is a freshly rebuilt engine.

Only had this problem once and I was lucky and there was no damage to the pistons (Audi quattro) But no doubt they will find out when its stripped How good would a second hand engine be which is wky I originally suggested Hartech or the Guys near Oxford Dying to find out what happens

It looks like I'm going to have to wait until the end of next week before the engine comes out and we find out the extent of the damage, due to Porsche Torque being so busy. It's a good sign they are busy but the 4 week wait to find out the extent of the damage is killing me! Before I sent it to Porsche Torque for repair I thought I'd record the noise. https://youtu.be/aFuVRSoNEFY

Turned out my valve liner had slipped (poss overheating in the past) locked the valve, which broke the head, and damaged piston 5 and the liner. It will cost around 7.5K +vat to re-build with a new head. So I've managed to secure a low mileage 3.6 engine complete with ancillaries which has had the bores tested etc and is supplied with a warrantee which should get the old girl back on the road for a few grand less. Also I get to keep the old engine to sell for parts. Can't wait to drive it again.

Think you should look at buying a different make. I think if I had as many problems with my cars as you have I would by a Volvo!! All the best with the new engine and ENJOY!!

Thats what my wife says, but she does not know the impact a martini striped turbo had on a 10 year old boy. I've had lots of different cars over the years but the only cars that ever needing replacement engines were my 3 x 911's. I've always keep my car in a garage (which has radiators so the car is never cold), I change the oil every 6K, and drive it like an old man, but they still go bang within a year. From my personal experience the reliability makes an old Ferrari look like a Toyota. But I still love them. Maybe things come in 3's and my 4th engine might last over a year.... Though I'm getting to the stage where every time I drive it I think it will die.

Not a lot of luck My cousin had one from new No real problems Perhaps you should treat it with less respect. Mine is on the drive when I am not driving it. Admit I don't throw it about but that's what they are made for

Have mentioned this before but I had a little OIL in the Coolant (3.4) 996 Went bad when I was in Lincoln and had a new Oil Cooler fitted Did not cure the problem. Contacted Hartech who recommended and engine out, Head off and check Quoted 2-2.5k for a cylinder head gasket gone.- (obviously new gaskets and seals include However while its down you might as well !! reconned 5k if there was a problem with the liners. + 2k per head (new) This would have been OK on a 45k Porsche but mine is worth say 13k (Insurance value 14k) In the end used STEEL SEAL and its cured it!! 90.00 for Steel Seal 9k for rebuilt engine LOTS OF LAUGHS!!

Les, Hope all goes well with whatever you decide to do. Please help me understand though, why the hell did you run the engine to make a Video when you can hear that its on the brink of catastrophic failure? That video cost you big time LOL. Your Crazy...[&:]

I made the video to ask for advice, I think it had already gone past the point of no return.

Les just out of curiosity, When you had your IMS bearing replaced did they lock off and adjust the Cams?.

I think it was locked off, Sid @ Porsch Torque did it. So finally here's some pics of the damage. Note the valve pushed into the head - ouch Damaged piston and broken sleeve. On a positive note the new engine is having its IMS replaced and is being prepped for installation. Hopefully back on the road in a couple of weeks.