Carbon build-up on intake valves (DFI)
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle
Fix: Walnut blasting
€500–1,000
Engine: common problems, timing drive and oil
3.4 / 3.6 / 3.8 DFI flat-six (9A1)
Petrol · 3,436 / 3,614 / 3,800 cm³ · 195–300 kW
4
model generations
2
known faults
13,000
new cars in the EU (2010–2025)
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
Fuel: Petrol. Timing drive: chain.
In our database this engine is fitted to 4 model generations, among them: Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman (981 / 982), Porsche 911 (997), Porsche Boxster / Cayman (986 / 987), Porsche 911 (991.1).
Key facts
| Fuel | Petrol |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 3,436 / 3,614 / 3,800 cm³ |
| Power | 195–300 kW |
| Years | 2008–2016 |
| Timing drive | Chain |
| Oil | 0W-40 · Porsche A40 · ~8.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| Engine codes | MA1, 9A1 |
Known engine faults
Faults that belong to the engine itself. They apply to every model with this engine, and each model has its own extra faults on its model page.
Water pump / thermostat
usually 80,000–140,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant weep
Fix: Replace pump
€500–900
Engine-related service
Intervals and typical prices, using the Porsche Boxster / Cayman (986 / 987) as an example. The app gives the exact plan for your car.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
Models with this engine
Model generations this engine is fitted to.
Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman (981 / 982) 2012–Porsche 911 (991.1) 2011–2016Porsche 911 (997) 2004–2012Porsche Boxster / Cayman (986 / 987) 1996–2012
Common questions
Does the 3.4 / 3.6 / 3.8 DFI flat-six (9A1) engine have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Chain.
What oil does the 3.4 / 3.6 / 3.8 DFI flat-six (9A1) engine take?
0W-40 · Porsche A40 · ~8.5 L · every 15,000 km.
Which cars have the 3.4 / 3.6 / 3.8 DFI flat-six (9A1) engine?
Porsche 718 Boxster / Cayman (981 / 982), Porsche 911 (997), Porsche Boxster / Cayman (986 / 987), Porsche 911 (991.1).
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026