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YOUR RESEARCHChicago PPI Recommendation
Reported or suspected cause
syncro dog teeth are worn
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Identified cause
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Suspected cause
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Reported fixes
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Discussions that report identifying a cause
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Reported cause
The quick fix things don't really work well because the root cause is the syncro dog teeth are worn.
Leading evidence: 'syncro dog teeth are worn' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'syncro dog teeth are worn' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check boost, you know' (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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Replace o-rings and coolant hoses in the engine bay
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Reported fixes
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Unsuccessful attempts
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Discussions
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I welded both of mine and I replaced all the O-rings and coolant hoses in the engine bay.
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
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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.
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
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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.
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
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.
Suspected cause
If it's coming from the front of the car it's probably a radiator.
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.
21 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: 20261027T035758Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Looking for a recommendation. Need a thorough PPI on a 996 turbo in the immediate Chicago area, including having coolant lines pressure tested and an engine compression test. Thanks in advance.
It's a low mileage (30k) manual turbo cab that a friend owns, probably has had minimal service outside of oil changes. Says it leaks coolant and I know the lines have never been properly addressed. Also might have an aftermarket EVOMS intake and/or full EVOMS upgrade kit, need that checked out as well.
I was going to suggest that you don't bother with a PPI on a Turbo. There is not much that can go wrong and it's generally cheap to fix if it does. I bought my black Turbo from a craigslist ad with 4 blurry pictures, sight unseen, and had it shipped. It's been a great car, it's got 180k miles and about 15 previous owners. I bought my blue Turbo from a Lotus dealer in downtown Chicago. It's also a great car.
Your note about leaking coolant, though, should be checked out. The coolant pipes rarely leak. They are either perfect or popped out of the fittings. A coolant leak is much more likely to be the expansion tank. If it's coming from the front of the car it's probably a radiator.
There are really only two big things with the 6Turbo:
#1 2001 and 2002 model year cars are somewhat susceptible to popping out of 2nd gear, especially if the P.O. misses some shifts. This was fixed for 2003. If it's popping out the 2nd gear syncros need to be replaced. The quick fix things don't really work well because the root cause is the syncro dog teeth are worn. 03+ cars have more syncro engagement and are much less likely to have the syncro dogs get damaged in the first place. The most likely scenario to produce a pop-out, if it's going to happen, is lifted throttle deceleration from high RPM in 2nd gear. This is a big deal; probably a 7k repair.
#2 Coolant pipes as you already know. This doesn't start out as a tiny leak and gradually get larger. It's fine until it comes unglued completely. There is no way to predict if it's going to happen. To get the fittings welded up for a permanent fix you'd probably be looking at 7k as it does require the engine be removed; the oil cooler bracket can't be removed with the engine in the car. I welded both of mine and I replaced all the O-rings and coolant hoses in the engine bay.
There are small things:
#1 Hydraulic spoiler breaks all the time. Rennkit motorized replacement is the way to go.
#2 Clutch is power assisted with the power steering pump. The slave can go bad, or the hydraulic accumulator can go bad. Test this by operating the clutch about 10 times with the engine off. If the pedal feel doesn't change everything is OK. By design the clutch is very light and does not have much feel.
#3 Standard 996 things like ignition switches, headlight switches, window regulators. 996 Cabriolet things like water leakage. The usual 996 stuff.
#4 Boost leaks. These crop up seemingly randomly because there are scads of check valves and fittings in the intake system. It ought to boost up to 0.7-0.8 bar at 3500+ RPM WOT. If it's really cold, perhaps only 0.6 bar. A big boost leak will allow only about 0.4 bar; the turbos will compensate for small boost leaks although the boost leaks ought to be fixed.
Things you'll never have to worry about would be oil starvation, bore scoring, IMS bearings, low temp thermostats, variocam pads, chain tensioners, chain guides, water pump failures, etc.
https://www.olsenmotorsports.net/contact/
in Downers Grove. I don’t have personal experience other than discussing JRZ stuff with them but they seemed very knowledgeable.
Appreciate all the info. This tt is a 2004 black on grey cab that's never been tracked. I know both previous owners, neither are really Porsche enthusiasts, and I hope to pick this car up for $45k give or take. Expect to immediately deal with pinning/welding of the coolant lines and any other "while in there" items. Most likely will keep it for a season or two and then flip out of it unless it really "speaks to me". Will update as things progress.
All good choices. Depends on where the car is located.
I have used Midwest Eurosport for over 15 years. Highly recommend them if the car is in the western suburbs. Specialize just in Porsches and do a lot of work with club racing and de.
Fischer is another excellent choice if the car is in the northern suburbs. Same as Eurosport, heavy in CR and DE.
Olsen is an awesome shop. Very high end mods and rebuilds for deep pocketed guys, as well as they manage collections. Mike Murphy and I were there last year and they were restoring the Flying Lizards ALMS 997, what a car...
The local Porsche Dealerships, Napleton Porsche and Porsche Exchange are both actively involved with the PCA and have been trying to compete with Midwest Eurosport and Fischer for DE business. They may offer a reasonably priced PPI as well.
You make a good point here. Sounds like this car is a friend�s car, so either the friend doesn�t know what these cars are worth, or knows there�s something more seriously wrong with it, or knows it�s worth more, but would offload for cheap due to friendship.
But you make a good point. Probably roll the dice and just buy it.
I have an email out to Midwest Eurosport about conducting a PPI but haven't heard back yet. The current owner of the car got a special deal from his boss when he became the second owner and I am in line to get a deal as well. The current owner always thought it had the X50 package but it turns out it doesn't. It might have an expensive EVOMS aftermarket kit or it might only have the EVOMS airbox, this is another thing I need confirmed as part of the PPI. Coolant lines will need addressing as well as other "while in there" items, so I can easily see spending $5-10k post purchase to get the car up to date.
To weld the coolant fittings the cost shouldn't be more than $7k at the outside, even in NJ. Figure 24 hours of labor plus $125/fitting for welding. Replacing every hose and O-ring in the engine bay adds another 1500-ish in parts, these all have to come off to get at the oil cooler so why not. I have a spreadsheet that lists all of the parts that can/should be replaced if you want it.
Pinning them would be less and can even be done with the engine in the car.
Carlo_Carerra on the 996 Turbo forum is in NJ and may be able to recommend a shop.
I would not have the work done away from home, it's much harder to supervise.
The best memory of the test drive in my nice 6 Turbo that I bought in Chicago, is test driving it on Lake Shore Drive. The sales dude was babbling away though I couldn't really hear him as I am deaf in the right ear; he sounded like Charlie Browns parents in the cartoon as I was winding out 3rd & 4th. Got to check boost, you know.
Let me know if you need any help with Midwest Eurosport. Roy handles the phones and coordinates everything. He is busy as he'll. Brian is the owner. It's pre-season and they are swamped but a great shop with very seasoned technicians. I'll be talking to them today about a few things so I can give them a heads up about you. You can always PM me if needed.
I emailed Brian at end of day yesterday. Would appreciate you mentioning me to them when you talk later today. If purchased I will most likely have the car shipped to NJ and use Provost Motorsports for all work. Max is my man whenever it comes to work on my P-cars.
