Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[speede5]

Originally Posted by curves2000

Anybody using Penzoil Ultra Platinum synthetic oil in their car? I have done a ton of research through various channels and it seems to be a very very high quality oil with a ton of additives. I did a few oil changes and have noticed a slight improvement in fuel mileage but looking for longer term users. How does the oil look upon first changing it? Bonus is that it's made with Natural gas and it seems to be made in Alberta at the Shell plant.

Good promo going on where you buy 10 liter's of it and you can get $30 back in a pre-paid card.

I've used it, use lots of Pennzoil in different vehicles. Never had an issue but I wouldn't know if it made my mileage any better. Looked like any other oil on removal.

[Ironhorse]

As our vehicles are aging, I need to buy an ODB2 code reader to see what is going on with check engine lights. I'm considering the ANCEL AD410, or maybe even the Bluetooth version. Does anyone have any experiences?

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

As our vehicles are aging, I need to buy an ODB2 code reader to see what is going on with check engine lights. I'm considering the ANCEL AD410, or maybe even the Bluetooth version. Does anyone have any experiences?

I use a Veepeak OBD2 BT dongle found on Amazon and the Torque Light App.

Works well enough to read / clear codes. You can update to the paid app if you want to do more.

[TorqueDog]

I recommend getting the ThinkDiag. It's a really good two-way diagnostic tool, and I swear by mine. If you have a newer vehicle that requires CAN-FD support, the ThinkDiag 2 is the one to get.

[bigrangy]

Ugggh. Finally got the 996 out to my new place, but popped a check engine light after bogging down while climbing a big hill on the way here. Kind of ran in limp mode for a few hundred km until home, couldn’t generate any power but otherwise ran ok enough. Used the code reader to find it was seeing misfire on cylinder 4, 5, and 6.

Did a bit of reading and etc, figured i should reset the codes and see if they pop up again, and now it’s not responding to throttle properly at all. Idle is a bit rough but not massively changed from before, but pressing the pedal in park/neutral doesn’t seem to have any predictable response from engine rpm. At least it’s in the driveway I guess.

[Table 5]

That's no fun. On the upside, at least it doesn't sound like a IMS or bore-scoring related issue?!

Which model do you have btw? I just sold my Targa this summer. Such great bang for buck cars (as long as they run!).

[Fuzz]

Don't know much about those engines, but could be something like a camshaft position sensor, or something kinda simple like that affecting one side.

[Sliver]

Have you tried taking it for a big rip and bagging the #### out of it to 'clean it out'?

[bigrangy]

It’s a 996.1, 1998. Basest of the base model, tiptronic. Probably the least desirable 911 ever made haha

Yeah reading up on it it’s either fuel injectors, ignition coils, or else the variocam actuators. Ever since I bought the car a couple years back it’s always kind of been lazy through the lower revs and only developed decent power above like 4k rpm, I don’t think it’s ever been well. But it’s never thrown a code prior to just now. Now with the throttle issue I honestly can’t even safely take it off the driveway, gonna need to do some more troubleshooting tomorrow.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

It’s a 996.1, 1998. Basest of the base model, tiptronic. Probably the least desirable 911 ever made haha

I'm still jealous.

[FLAME ENVY]

Originally Posted by Table 5

That's no fun. On the upside, at least it doesn't sound like a IMS or bore-scoring related issue?!

Which model do you have btw? I just sold my Targa this summer. Such great bang for buck cars (as long as they run!).

Bore scoring in an array of Porsche engines is what has mostly steered me away from the brand now. Bore scoring used to predominately affect (and certainly still does) M96/97 engines and all the V8 equipped (including Turbo's with Nikasil liners) 955/957 Cayenne's. 9A1 engines have also been affected along with 958+ Cayenne's, Pano's, Macan's. Almost every model Porsche builds outside of the EV's have had bore scoring issues. Not as prevalent in some models but it still happens. I sold my 2009 Cayenne GTS in 2013 as a bunch of local Cayenne's were dying because of scored cylinder walls, I wanted no part of that. If only air-cooled 911's were not so stupid expensive now...

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

It’s a 996.1, 1998. Basest of the base model, tiptronic. Probably the least desirable 911 ever made haha

Only if it's also a cabrio.

Just kidding, they are great cars regardless of spec...amazing value, and it's nice that there's still one 911 generation that's not stupid priced (for now).

This was mine:

Spoiler!

Replaced it with:

Spoiler!

The air-cooled has more character, but the 996 was generally more enjoyable (and much less paranoia inducing) to drive around town.

[FLAME ENVY]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Only if it's also a cabrio.

Just kidding, they are great cars regardless of spec...amazing value, and it's nice that there's still one 911 generation that's not stupid priced (for now).

This was mine:

Spoiler!

Replaced it with:

Spoiler!

The air-cooled has more character, but the 996 was more generally enjoyable to drive around town.

Can't beat a Guards Red 993! Wheels look great, are you lowered as the stance is perfect? My 1995 C2 Cab was lowered with H&R/Bilstein HD's (B6) which worked great.

[FLAME ENVY]

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by FLAME ENVY

Can't beat a Guards Red 993! Wheels look great, are you lowered as the stance is perfect? My 1995 C2 Cab was lowered with H&R/Bilstein HD's (B6) which worked great.

Nice! I wish mine had the cashmere interior like yours, but I got tired of waiting around for the perfect spec. And yes, mine has the same suspension combo as yours. It did come with the stock Cup wheels originally, but those look a little boring on the 993, so I replaced them with the Turbo Twists.

[Fuzz]

It's too bad most of them just look so daft. The angle on the blue one maybe hides the worst bits, but it doesn't look too bad. The more you look a the red one, in whole or in part, the sillier it emerges.

[FLAME ENVY]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Nice! I wish mine had the cashmere interior like yours, but I got tired of waiting around for the perfect spec. And yes, mine has the same suspension combo as yours. It did come with the stock Cup wheels originally, but those look a little boring on the 993, so I replaced them with the Turbo Twists.

Although I bought my 993 used in 2007, it was much simpler speccing 911's back then. There were still many options to choose from, but nothing like building a 911 (or any Porsche) today. Cashmere seemed to be quite popular as I've seen quite a few 993's so equipped. I too gave up my Cups for a set of 18" Volk TE37's which were light and filled out the wheel wells nicely.

I'm looking to get into another fun summer car next Spring as I haven't had one since 2018. I test drove and did a Lotus Emira build at GTA (V6 manual) in July with my wife. Loved the car and so did she, I just couldn't stomach $160K. The Emira reminded me of the NA1 NSX in many ways, it is such a great car and I will look for a used one down the road (hopefully they depreciate somewhat reasonably).

I'm now set on a Jaguar F-Type coupe in R spec. Looking for a 2018 as you still get the rowdy exhaust but also get the styling and tech updates made that year. I drove a P400 convertible recently and the V6 is fantastic and probably best suits the car from a sporting perspective. I would regret not getting the V8 however.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

It's too bad most of them just look so daft. The angle on the blue one maybe hides the worst bits, but it doesn't look too bad. The more you look a the red one, in whole or in part, the sillier it emerges.

In post #7112, you contemplated burning your garage down. After a terrible take like this, it’s time to make good on it.

[Fuzz]

Googling "Porsches are ugly" indicates I am far from alone on this view.





Like a derpy terrified whale shark.





Seniors Frumpy butt.





Derp!


The whole cabin shape, I dunno, just looks, well, not cool.


This is an opinion on which I am largely correct.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

It’s a 996.1, 1998. Basest of the base model, tiptronic. Probably the least desirable 911 ever made haha

Yeah reading up on it it’s either fuel injectors, ignition coils, or else the variocam actuators. Ever since I bought the car a couple years back it’s always kind of been lazy through the lower revs and only developed decent power above like 4k rpm, I don’t think it’s ever been well. But it’s never thrown a code prior to just now. Now with the throttle issue I honestly can’t even safely take it off the driveway, gonna need to do some more troubleshooting tomorrow.

Hopefully not the actuator, but it sure sounds like it is something in the cam timing. There is one on each side, under the valve /cam cover, and they are expensive. I'm fixing up a Boxster right now and the one side actuators cable was severed right at the solenoid so I have no choice but to replace it. Haven't found one less than 1K. I'm taking one from a parts engine and hoping it is good. Also they are position specific L/R. Coils would be easy to diagnose, swap some from left to right and see if the problem migrates but since they are coil on it would be odd for a whole side to go. Same for injectors.