Oil leak question--need advice!
07-21-2010, 10:43 AM
#1
Oil leak question--need advice!
I have a 1997 993 as a daily driver (78,000 miles), and I've owned it for about three years. I recently moved to Maryland from PA, and I took it into a shop to have a state inspection. I just got a call from the shop, saying that there appears to be multiple oil leaks, and that these leaks must have been there for a long time, given the quantity of oil. The MD shop is not a Porsche specialist; my PA shop was Performance Automotive, and I'd been told they had a terrifc reputation.
The MD shop is of course not going to tackle this, since they're not Porsche specialists. I'm blown away by this news, and wondering (a) has anyone else had this problem; and (b) where should I take it to get a second opinion and if necessary, to have the work done? I'm just outsied of Baltimore.
Any notion of what I might be looking at, in terms of the scope of repair needed? Engine rebuild? I hadn't noticed huge oil leaks, and I can't believe Performance would have missed this, if it was there for a long time, so I'm just shocked.
Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.
The MD shop is of course not going to tackle this, since they're not Porsche specialists. I'm blown away by this news, and wondering (a) has anyone else had this problem; and (b) where should I take it to get a second opinion and if necessary, to have the work done? I'm just outsied of Baltimore.
Any notion of what I might be looking at, in terms of the scope of repair needed? Engine rebuild? I hadn't noticed huge oil leaks, and I can't believe Performance would have missed this, if it was there for a long time, so I'm just shocked.
Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.
07-21-2010, 11:20 AM
#2
Burning Brakes
I also moved down here from PA. Welcome to Humidity Central.
Performance Automotive is fine so far as I know - although I used Mike Tillson on City Ave.
If they are not Porsche people, I wouldn't take anything they say as gospel.
The word "quantity" is misleading if they are referring to oil residue. That being the case, if you have a leak - most of these cars do - and if the underside of the engine has not been cleaned for some time; yes the accumulation may look like "a lot" of oil.
How much do you add between oil changes? What is your rate of burn/loss? Any smoke?
My first recommendation is a bit of a hike for you; but Taylor Chapman of German Auto Group down in Springfield, VA is, in the opinion of many, the best in the area.
Service is not quick - lots of cars and he sees after each P-car personally - but the work is done right. Worth the drive if you have a serious issue, IMO.
www.germanautogroupva.com
May very well turn out that the car is just fine and your costs will include soap, water and a pressure washer. If nothing else, clean the underside so you can try to identify the source of the leak. Chain covers would be the most likely culprit, I would think.
Performance Automotive is fine so far as I know - although I used Mike Tillson on City Ave.
If they are not Porsche people, I wouldn't take anything they say as gospel.
The word "quantity" is misleading if they are referring to oil residue. That being the case, if you have a leak - most of these cars do - and if the underside of the engine has not been cleaned for some time; yes the accumulation may look like "a lot" of oil.
How much do you add between oil changes? What is your rate of burn/loss? Any smoke?
My first recommendation is a bit of a hike for you; but Taylor Chapman of German Auto Group down in Springfield, VA is, in the opinion of many, the best in the area.
Service is not quick - lots of cars and he sees after each P-car personally - but the work is done right. Worth the drive if you have a serious issue, IMO.
www.germanautogroupva.com
May very well turn out that the car is just fine and your costs will include soap, water and a pressure washer. If nothing else, clean the underside so you can try to identify the source of the leak. Chain covers would be the most likely culprit, I would think.
07-21-2010, 11:23 AM
#3
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Many 993's leak oil....its expected behavior.
Without pictures or more details, is very hard to say what the amount of work is. Does the car leave oil on the ground when parked?
Usual spots are the lower valve covers (easy job to fix), and the chain covers (a bit harder). The rubber gets old due to the heat cycles, and being less pliable is prone to let oil by.
If you are not willing to DIY, you need to find a good local shop. You will get choices (see above) of shops to go to.
Its very unlikely you will need a rebuild ; there are a few places that can leak and to fix would require the engine to be taken apart, but its often way cheaper just to keep adding oil.
BTW, what is your oil consumption?
Cheers,
Mike
Without pictures or more details, is very hard to say what the amount of work is. Does the car leave oil on the ground when parked?
Usual spots are the lower valve covers (easy job to fix), and the chain covers (a bit harder). The rubber gets old due to the heat cycles, and being less pliable is prone to let oil by.
If you are not willing to DIY, you need to find a good local shop. You will get choices (see above) of shops to go to.
Its very unlikely you will need a rebuild ; there are a few places that can leak and to fix would require the engine to be taken apart, but its often way cheaper just to keep adding oil.
BTW, what is your oil consumption?
Cheers,
Mike
07-21-2010, 11:26 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
Why not at least check to see where the oil is leaking from.
With a cold engine and a trouble light, get underneath and do a visual check.
Does it leak from the:
Just to name a few.
With a cold engine and a trouble light, get underneath and do a visual check.
Does it leak from the:
- valve covers (are the tops of your heat exchangers damp/wet).
- oil return tubes.
- cam chain covers.
- main seal.
- oil filter, oil pressure switch area.
Just to name a few.
07-21-2010, 11:27 AM
#5
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
07-21-2010, 03:07 PM
#6
Thanks to all who have responded so far--at the very least, you've talked me off the ledge.
I used to check the oil religiously, but frankly, after almost no oil consumption between changes (usually 4000 to 5000 miles), I got out of the habit. However, I have checked it at least a couple of times between changes every time, and I think I've had to add oil maybe three or four times in the last three years. I had the oil changed about 3000 miles ago, and I checked it once since then--I didn't see any oil consumption. In fact, I've always felt fortunate that it burns/leaks so little compared to what I gather is "normal" for these cars.
They say they see "signifcant" oil staining when the car is parked. I haven't noticed this. In the old home, it was outside, so I think I would have noticed when the car was parked other than in its usual spot. In the new (four weeks) home, it's garaged, and frankly, I haven't looked, since I just get out of the car and walk in the house. I'm on the road right now, but I'll check when I return on Friday.
A hike to VA seems extreme if the fix is relatively straightforward; I would of course reconsider if it requires a major repair. So any other opinions on Baltimore-area P-car repair shops? Any experience with Ralph's (recommended by the original shop)? Please answer in PM if you'd prefer not to go public on opinions.
And again--thanks!!!!
I used to check the oil religiously, but frankly, after almost no oil consumption between changes (usually 4000 to 5000 miles), I got out of the habit. However, I have checked it at least a couple of times between changes every time, and I think I've had to add oil maybe three or four times in the last three years. I had the oil changed about 3000 miles ago, and I checked it once since then--I didn't see any oil consumption. In fact, I've always felt fortunate that it burns/leaks so little compared to what I gather is "normal" for these cars.
They say they see "signifcant" oil staining when the car is parked. I haven't noticed this. In the old home, it was outside, so I think I would have noticed when the car was parked other than in its usual spot. In the new (four weeks) home, it's garaged, and frankly, I haven't looked, since I just get out of the car and walk in the house. I'm on the road right now, but I'll check when I return on Friday.
A hike to VA seems extreme if the fix is relatively straightforward; I would of course reconsider if it requires a major repair. So any other opinions on Baltimore-area P-car repair shops? Any experience with Ralph's (recommended by the original shop)? Please answer in PM if you'd prefer not to go public on opinions.
And again--thanks!!!!
07-21-2010, 04:01 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: I should be in TNT for Carnival!
Posts: 10,056
Received 249 Likes
on
210 Posts
Thanks to all who have responded so far--at the very least, you've talked me off the ledge.
I used to check the oil religiously, but frankly, after almost no oil consumption between changes (usually 4000 to 5000 miles), I got out of the habit. However, I have checked it at least a couple of times between changes every time, and I think I've had to add oil maybe three or four times in the last three years. I had the oil changed about 3000 miles ago, and I checked it once since then--I didn't see any oil consumption. In fact, I've always felt fortunate that it burns/leaks so little compared to what I gather is "normal" for these cars.
They say they see "signifcant" oil staining when the car is parked. I haven't noticed this. In the old home, it was outside, so I think I would have noticed when the car was parked other than in its usual spot. In the new (four weeks) home, it's garaged, and frankly, I haven't looked, since I just get out of the car and walk in the house. I'm on the road right now, but I'll check when I return on Friday.
A hike to VA seems extreme if the fix is relatively straightforward; I would of course reconsider if it requires a major repair. So any other opinions on Baltimore-area P-car repair shops? Any experience with Ralph's (recommended by the original shop)? Please answer in PM if you'd prefer not to go public on opinions.
And again--thanks!!!!
I used to check the oil religiously, but frankly, after almost no oil consumption between changes (usually 4000 to 5000 miles), I got out of the habit. However, I have checked it at least a couple of times between changes every time, and I think I've had to add oil maybe three or four times in the last three years. I had the oil changed about 3000 miles ago, and I checked it once since then--I didn't see any oil consumption. In fact, I've always felt fortunate that it burns/leaks so little compared to what I gather is "normal" for these cars.
They say they see "signifcant" oil staining when the car is parked. I haven't noticed this. In the old home, it was outside, so I think I would have noticed when the car was parked other than in its usual spot. In the new (four weeks) home, it's garaged, and frankly, I haven't looked, since I just get out of the car and walk in the house. I'm on the road right now, but I'll check when I return on Friday.
A hike to VA seems extreme if the fix is relatively straightforward; I would of course reconsider if it requires a major repair. So any other opinions on Baltimore-area P-car repair shops? Any experience with Ralph's (recommended by the original shop)? Please answer in PM if you'd prefer not to go public on opinions.
And again--thanks!!!!
see --> https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...baltimore.html
Trending Topics
07-21-2010, 04:20 PM
#8
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
If the engine tray had been in place for a long time, and they pulled it off, they may have found a quantity of oil that had accumulated from small leaks, perhaps some spillage, too. You may want to leave the engine tray off, make sure the engine oil level is correct ( halfway between the two marks on the dipstick, full operating temperature, checked with engine idling), and drive the car for a few days, keeping an eye on your parking spot and the oil level to see if there is actually significant leakage.
If you take it to a shop and complain about oil leaks, they will fix whatever they find, when in fact the engine is just "leaking normally".
If you take it to a shop and complain about oil leaks, they will fix whatever they find, when in fact the engine is just "leaking normally".
07-21-2010, 05:27 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
You may want to leave the engine tray off, make sure the engine oil level is correct ( halfway between the two marks on the dipstick, full operating temperature, checked with engine idling), and drive the car for a few days, keeping an eye on your parking spot and the oil level to see if there is actually significant leakage.
Take undertray off, get a cardboard box, open it up so it's flat and and lay it down underneath the engine when the car is parked. You'll be able to see if any oil is dripping and, if applicable, from where.
07-21-2010, 06:27 PM
#10
Racer
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As Alex and Mike said, oil leaks are common. If there is no undue oil consumption, you should not have to do anything straight away. Wait for opportunities: e.g. you need to remove or exchange your heat exchangers, then it would be the right time to change the valve cover gasket if the leak is there. Same for other small leaks.
