Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Rennvision on Porsche Bore Scoring: Updated Insights, Diagnostics, and Fixes

Rennvision on Porsche Bore Scoring: Updated Insights, Diagnostics, and Fixes

Jake Raby’s Rennvision channel has revisited and expanded its Porsche engine content with a renewed focus on Porsche bore scoring—integrating lessons learned since the 2018–2019 videos and the post-2020 period. This guide summarizes the series’ key takeaways and pairs them with proven repair strategies from Flat 6 Innovations and technical resources from LN Engineering.

Related resources: Rennvision: Focus On – Bore Scoring playlist   |  LN Engineering: Porsche Cylinder Bore Scoring


What’s New Since the 2018–2019 Videos?

  • Context: A 2021 update reframes prior bore-scoring content with fresh field data and refined procedures.
  • Education-first: The series doubles down on clear diagnostics (proper borescope technique, cam deviation review) and realistic fixes.
  • Community & membership: Viewers are encouraged to subscribe and consider paid learning for deeper technical dives.

Bore Scoring 101

What it is: Longitudinal scoring of cylinder walls (common in M96/M97) that increases oil consumption, noise, and—if ignored—can lead to major engine damage.

Why it happens: A combination of factors: surface finish and coating behavior (Lokasil/Alusil), heat cycles and oil film management, piston skirt coating loss, fueling and injector condition, and operating patterns. No single cause explains every case; prevention and correct diagnosis are key.


Fast Symptoms vs. Subtle Clues

What You Might Notice What It Can Mean Next Step
Ticking/knock from one bank (often Bank 2), hot idle Possible skirt wear and wall scoring; noise may vary with load/temp Stop hard use; schedule borescope from the sump side
Rising oil consumption, sooty tailpipe, smoke on start/overrun Oil bypass from scored walls; ring sealing compromise Compression/leakdown and visual cylinder inspection
No obvious noise, car “feels fine” Scoring can still be present—especially on cylinders not visible from plug holes Use correct borescope approach before assuming “all clear”

Diagnostics That Actually Work

  1. Borescope correctly (from the sump side): Many M96/M97 problem areas aren’t visible from plug holes. Use the proper angle and access points documented by experienced Porsche rebuilders.
  2. Cut and inspect the oil filter; pull the sump plate: Look for metallic debris/glitter and document findings.
  3. ECU interrogation: Review over-rev counters and camshaft deviation values for corroborating clues.
  4. Fuel system check: Verify injector health and fueling (leak-down, spray pattern); poor fueling contributes to skirt/coating distress.
  5. Operating profile review: Heat cycles, short-trips, extended oil intervals, and oil choice matter; adjust practices to slow progression.

Prevention & Slowing Progression

  • Oil strategy: Use the recommended high-quality oil and change on conservative intervals; monitor temps.
  • Injector hygiene: Keep injectors clean/healthy; address fueling anomalies early.
  • Driving patterns: Avoid chronic short-trips and babying; get the engine to full operating temperature regularly.
  • Listen and log: Record sounds, oil use, and maintenance; consistent records help trend small issues before they grow.

Proven Fixes When Scoring Is Confirmed

There is no “in-car” magic cure for true cylinder scoring. The durable repair is a full engine teardown with cylinder work and updated components. A widely used approach is to machine out the damaged material and install robust replacement cylinder sleeves (e.g., Nickies) along with updated pistons/rings and any model-specific upgrades discovered during inspection. Pair this with best-practice rebuild processes (checking IMS shaft/runout, timing components, oiling, and cooling system health).


Rennvision Series Timeline (Key Milestones)

  • 2018–2019: Initial bore-scoring videos establish fundamentals (inspection and failure modes).
  • 2020: Pandemic disruptions pause normal cadence.
  • Mid-2021: Update video announces refreshed and expanded content, integrating new shop data and procedures; encourages subscriptions and paid education for deeper learning.

What to Do Next

If you suspect bore scoring—or you simply want to baseline your car—book a borescope inspection with a Porsche specialist who follows the sump-side method and can interpret results in context. If scoring is present, discuss a full, parts-validated repair plan rather than chasing temporary measures. For deeper training and case studies, subscribe to Rennvision, and for rebuild options, review Flat 6 Innovations and LN Engineering resources below.

More info: Rennvision – Bore Scoring (playlist)  | LN Engineering – Porsche Cylinder Bore Scoring  |  How to Borescope Your Porsche Engine

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