Auto Benny NDG

09/07/2026

This is not a pretty picture.
This catastrophe was most probably caused by an un-diagnosed loose or dropped valve seat, which is not uncommon in the M96/M97 engines. A broken valve spring can also cause the same result, but in this case the valve springs were fine, although the cam follower button and valve stem top showed significant wear caused by excessive clearance.
I'd be surprised if there was no noise or clicking.

08/02/2026

Porsche 991.1 GT3's and GT3RS's

With the large number of GT3's and GT3RS's in our region, specifically 991.1's, then this is required reading and watching.

Don't say you weren't warned!

There will be many that pooh-pooh this as scare mongering, just as they did for the M9*6/M9*7 IMS failures and the later cylinder scoring issues, but there's no smoke without fire.
This is another reason for the change in oil spec from A40, then C40 to C40GT for all MA1.76 engined GT Cars.
The old spec C40 is still okay, but the new C40GT adds another level of protection. It's only made by Mobil 1 for the moment.

It isn't cheap, as it's an engine out job, but far less expensive than a new engine. Current price is approaching $100K Cdn.

A 991.1 GT3 and GT3 RS finger follower guide covering symptoms, wear photos, shop inspection steps, replacement timing, and Dundon’s recommended schedule.

07/26/2026

2018 Carrera 4 GTS service.
This car was in for it's first major service, (a couple of years late)
which included air filter, drive belt and spark plug change.

The days of DIY Porsche service are really in the far distant past, except for the really experienced home techs, but best left to the professionals.
Brief outline of a "simple" air filter change is, remove rear bumper, tail lights, rear spoiler and pressure manifold to throttle body and hope you have never been tempted to take the car for a winter drive on wet roads. (Seized and rusted fasteners)

While you’re in there you may as well go ahead and replace the spark plugs and hopefully you haven't left it too long and that they all can be removed, leaving the threads in the cylinder head intact. This requires removing both inter coolers and thoroughly cleaning out all the compost that has built up from all the leaves that are completely blocking them.

Yes, Porsche's are a masterpiece of efficient packaging to cram so much stuff into the back of the car, but it comes at the price of having to take so much apart for what used to be a 30 minute job.

On this car we also had to drain and refill the clutch for the front differential. The clutch part of the front differential only takes 850ml. of special fluid but the 850ml. bottle of fluid costs $185.00.

BTW this car also had a badly damaged drivers side door mirror, which is only available in individual parts and needs to be painted.
The cost of replacing/repairing the mirror, without labour is in excess of $7000. ( FYI labour was about 2 hrs. CRAZY!!!

06/02/2026

Winter driving your water cooled 911 is always such a great idea. This from a 2013 991.

Great job security for me 😃

05/30/2026

Another M96/05 engine going back together after a failed “rebuild” at another shop.
This is a 3.6 to 4.0 conversion with LN Engineering “Nickies” and JE pistons and most of the available upgraded parts, such as billet IMS chain paddle, K1 rods, coated bearings, chrome-moly oil pump drive and all ARP fasteners.

05/18/2026

With cam deviation numbers above 4.0 on your pre 2003 911 or Boxster with a M96/01 or 2 then worn cam chain rails are the culprit and must be addressed.

05/18/2026

If the cam deviation numbers on your M96/01-2 engine are over 4.0 then this is the reason.

12/20/2025