The Most Common 3.6 Porsche M96.03 Engine Problems

The M96.03 engine was installed in the fifth generation Porsche 911 from 2001 to 2004. During this period, they were supplied with both convertibles and modifications with a coupe body.

Reliability and main advantages of the M96.03 engine

M96.03 is a 6-cylinder internal combustion engine with a volume of 3596 cm3. It is also necessary to indicate that this engine is of the boxer type – that is, the cylinders here are located in 2 rows and the angle between them is 180 °. There are 4 valves per cylinder, 24 in total.

The maximum power of this engine is 320 hp. It uses a DOHC timing belt (that is, with two camshafts), as well as a phase control system and distributed fuel injection.

For the M96.03 engine, gasoline of at least 98th is recommended; low-quality fuel can significantly reduce its service life. And the selection of oil must also be taken seriously, following all the available recommendations.

Read Also: The Most Common 3.2 Porsche M96.26 Engine Problems

Disadvantages and problems of the M96.03 engine

Some M96.03 engines have a problem with the intermediate shaft ball bearing (IMS). At some point, it may fail, as a result of which the insides of the engine begin to clog.

And in some cases, this ends with a violation of the synchronization of the camshaft and a collision between the piston and the valve.

With such a development of events, the driver can only send the internal combustion engine for overhaul.

Due to the presence of sulfur in low-quality gasoline, as well as due to overheating, scuffing may occur in the cylinders. You can cure this ailment with a boring or sleeve.

Plus, over time, the crankshaft bed can be deformed in the M96.03. And this is not surprising, because this part constantly takes on significant loads.

Moreover, the occurrence of this malfunction is especially likely when the flywheel breaks down.

M96.03 engine applicability

  • Porsche : 911 (2001-2004)

M96.03 engine Tuning prospects

By making changes to the ECU program, the power of the described engine can be increased by 18 hp. (from 320 to 338), and the torque by 16 Nm (from 370 to 386).

And these are not such bad indicators, given that the M96.03 engine is aspirated.

With the help of a more advanced Stage 2 tuning (in which the exhaust is also upgraded), you can raise the power indicator to 357 hp and torque to 397 Nm.

At the same time, we must not forget that any tuning costs money, and the driver must decide for himself how much he needs these or those improvements.

Leave a Comment