Private sale - 2 hours later engine goes pop. Advice please

[Ryandoc]

There is one in Knaresbrough!

Elaborate on that for me please Dave???

 

[Wack61]

The problem with a used engine is you have to see it running or you're placing a lot of trust in the seller , came out of a low mileage car is the usual statement

Came out of a low mileage car that ran on its side for 10 minutes in a ditch doesn't sound so appealing.

I'd look into the costs of a professional rebuild before I spent money on a used engine , the bonus would be you'd have the cheapest opportunity ever to upgrade some components so when you got it back you'd feel you actually got something for your money Rather that just fixing a broken car

 

[midlifecrisis]

It's all rotten luck. I would have thought that a compression test might have eluded to a failing gasket I might be wrong.
I feel for the buyer but I don't think he has a leg to stand on legally.

 

[rossyl]

I'd agree with a professional rebuild. It might be worth sending the whole engine to just get rebuilt, by someone who just does rebuilds. That way you are almost certain it will be good.

The problem with a secondhand engine is that even if they give you a warranty, it will be parts only. The cost of diagnosis, removal and replacement in Labour means that a warranty on a used engine doesn't help much.

 

[Ewan]

The failings of the standard 3.4 and 3.6 lt engines in the 996 and early 997 models are very well documented, though denied by Porsche. When I sold my last 996 after 2 years excellent service I remember thinking to myself that while it had been a very good car, I was pleased to be passing it on without having the cost/aggro of an engine rebuild.

Your friend has clearly been unlucky and we all feel for him. But unfortunately, with the joys of saving some money by buying privately, come the perils of an unwarrantied car. That's why most people prefer to buy from a registered and respected dealer. It costs more, but you get some back up (hopefully!).

 

[rossyl]

Having a Google, I found these:http://www.hartech.org/porsche_996_997_Boxster_engine_rebuilds_and_repairs.html

 

[Wack61]

Having had a quick read they look to be well respected

 

[Martynh]

Hartech are the best respected Porsche engine builder in the market currently. They deal with numerous 996 / 997 rebuilds on a daily basis! There is nothing they don't know about those engines.

Infact they rebuilt my engine when it went 'pop' due to IMS failure a few years back.

 

[alfatwo]

The failings of the standard 3.4 and 3.6 lt engines in the 996 and early 997 models are very well documented, though denied by Porsche. When I sold my last 996 after 2 years excellent service I remember thinking to myself that while it had been a very good car, I was pleased to be passing it on without having the cost/aggro of an engine rebuild.

Your friend has clearly been unlucky and we all feel for him. But unfortunately, with the joys of saving some money by buying privately, come the perils of an unwarrantied car. That's why most people prefer to buy from a registered and respected dealer. It costs more, but you get some back up (hopefully!).

So what your saying Ewan You'd just blag it....If it was the other way around with one of your very expensive toys you'd go ballistic!

Dave

 

[c4sman]

Hartech are the best respected Porsche engine builder in the market currently. They deal with numerous 996 / 997 rebuilds on a daily basis! There is nothing they don't know about those engines.

Infact they rebuilt my engine when it went 'pop' due to IMS failure a few years back.

Bad news and feel sorry for your mate. It is worth contacting the seller to see what they have to say.

If in the same situation I would go down the rebuild and upgrade route rather than a used engine and Hartech seem to be one of the best. Gen1 997 3.8 engine is one of the higher risk engines in the 997 range and sounds like it could be IMS failure which is the most common. In saying that I have run two cars with this engine without issue. Current car is gen2 997 and doesn't suffer with the same issue.

Although very unlikely they will help, it may also be worth contacting Porsche as depending on the history of the car, they may offer some sort of good will discounts. I would explore every avenue to reduce the likely £8-10k bill.

 

[conaero]

All you can do is appeal to the vendor. An acceptable resolve would be a 50% contribution to the bill.

If hyrolocked, you can claim on insurance, PM me your mobile number and ill give you details.

 

[Martynh]

I don't think I've heard of a hydrolocked 997 engine, certainly not a common issue. The usual problems are the IMS failure (pre 2007 model year mainly) and bore scoring (all gen 1 997 engines but especially bad in the 3.8). Occasionally they can snap a cam chain but that is also thankfully rare.

I do feel for your friend, not a nice situation to be in sadly. The good news is that due to the sheer number of issues these engine have there are quite a few specialists around who can rebuild them. As i mentioned earlier, a call the Hartech would be my way forwards. I had mine transported from Surrey to Bolton to get the work done!

 

[Scaf]

Sorry to read this, your mate must be truly gutted.

Surely there must be some comeback on whoever did the independent inspection?

 

[drewf]

Sorry to read this, your mate must be truly gutted.

Surely there must be some comeback on whoever did the independent inspection?

I was thinking about this point - doesn't the independent inspector carry some sort of insurance to cover a catastrophic issue with the vehicle that they failed to discover?
Other than that, the only recourse is to appeal to the vendor to ask them to help out; it really doesn't sound like they were trying to cover up a known fault - had that been the case there's a much stronger case despite it being a private sale.

Gutted for your mate though

 

[Andyk]

Yes coolant can get in the cylinder head and cause hydroloc..... You don't need to go through a deep puddle for this to happen. There could have been a crack somewhere that you just wouldn't pick up on an inspection and would only find out when it went bang. I know this as it happened to me.

 

[CatmanV2]

I was thinking about this point - doesn't the independent inspector carry some sort of insurance to cover a catastrophic issue with the vehicle that they failed to discover?

I rather doubt there's any acceptance of liability

C

 

[Guest 1678]

Nice motor, my friend had the same exact model, then followed by a 996 GT3, and then a 997 Turbo.
What I can remember when he had his c4s, it did have to have a engine rebuild under Porsche warranty. Due to a slight flat spot they could not solve. Also suffered with numerous oil leaks requiring oil seals replacements. Quite common apparently.
He loves his Porsches but admits he would never run one out of Porsche warranty, and always extended the warranty. Also he always said he didn't mind frequenting the local main dealer for 1) The receptionist had nice tits 2) The coffee was good 3) They always gave him a nice courtesy car!!
When he bought his 996 GT3, they gave him a two year warranty instead of one, simply because the engine in the GT3 was known to be very reliable, go figure on the others!

GT3 has the Metzger block I believe. Used in all the endurance racers such as 956 and 962. That is why they are so sought after.

 

[Guest 1678]

I rather doubt there's any acceptance of liability

C

Look at the caveats on the report. Much like buying a house where the surveyor has so many get out clauses it really is not worth the paper it is written on.

Also, with the engine I prefer a matching numbers car and believe a rebuild, carried out by an acknowledged specialist, can be a positive. As an example, TVR engine repaired by TVR Power have a better warranty than the factory provided. I am sure Hartech carry the same sort of provenance in Porker circles.

 

[outrun]

PM me. I will tell you of a motor trade lawyer that will be able to advise.

 

[Ewan]

So what your saying Ewan You'd just blag it....

No, Dave, that's not at all what I'm saying. Maybe my original message wasn't very well constructed, for which I apologise. (Put it down to the wine I had with supper!)

There was nothing wrong with my 996 when I sold it. What I meant was that the Porsche 996 cars have a well known engine weakness, and I was pleased that it did not affect my car. From what I understand, possibly up to 10% of these engines suffer from IMS/RMS failure. Luckily my car was one of the 90% or so that worked brilliantly, both for me and the subsequent owner.

From my time with Porches I'd also recommend a call/trip to Hartech. Their reputation is second to none when it comes to fixing these engines.