ketel

This is a follow-up to my earlier post on my '89 C4 with 115k on it.

I am looking to turn it into a full-time track car over the coming months. Going through tech last wknd, she got black flagged for oil leaks. Estimate came back today and it's north of $4,000 for him to fix them all. Jaw almost hit the floor.

I would really like to pursue the DIY path here but I've been having trouble getting good documentation on the 964. I am having to parse together 3 separate books to find anything workable - the Streather, Dempsey and Bentley Books. I also have all 7 of the factory binders, but have not found them terribly helpful. Even with all these tomes, there are HUGE gaps in what's out there that is applicable to 964s.

So, the question is how best to address this. Should I pull the engine and do a complete overhaul (by myself) and while it's apart do 'everything' at one time (and plan on missing the entire racing season), or should I just do a "leak-by-leak" repair plan and, if so, who has the best documenation on how to address all these darn leaks.

All suggestions welcome.

ketel

parsecnc4

Perhaps you can take an engine overhaul class discussed here:

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ighlight=class

Qweevox

I liked this book...

http://www.101projects.com/911-Rebuild/index.htm

darth

Ketel

I think you'd be hard pressed to find a book specifically dedicated to fixing oil leaks let alone leaks in our 964's. Most leaks can be attributed to loose couplings, old worn seals (i.e due to the age of our cars) or cracked rubber hoses. Clean the suspect area, run the engine to determine eactly where the leak is coming from and either tighten the coupling or replace rubber hose/seal. It just takes patience and cleanliness in not letting any dirt get into the engine while it's opened up for the repair. In the immortal words of Chico Escuela (i.e. SNL Weekend Update aka Garrett Morris) - "Rubber break!"

Hope this helps
Bill 90C2

boze_man

chico!!!!

964 has been berry berry good to me...

sundog

I'll tell you from experience that you may rebuild the entire engine by yourself, and then still have oil leaks. I've got about 5K miles since my rebuild, and I have about 2 drops every couple of days from the rebuild.

Unless you are very proficient, and methodical, you will likely miss something, and there are LOTS of places for the oil to come out!

If I were you, I'd evaluate where your leaks are coming from, and try and address them with the engine still in. Many can be remedied this way, but a few can't.

Indycam

"If I were you, I'd evaluate where your leaks are coming from, and try and address them with the engine still in. Many can be remedied this way, but a few can't."
X2

If you do a few of the easy one , then maybe it does not leak so much ?
Maybe that would be a way to go .
In the estimate , is there a list of leaks and or parts needed ?

ketel

Yes...there was a list of the parts (mostly gaskets and O-rings) required but not specific info on the leaks themselves. One would have to gauge where the mechanic felt they were coming from from what he was planning on re-sealing.

Hope that helps. Happy to post the actual estimate if anyone thinks that might be helpful or interesting.

ketel

Indycam

Is a front or rear main seal on the list ?

ketel

Here's the estimate (in all its pain and horror):

- Chain Cover Gasket Kit (1) $83
- Chain Case Gasket (2) $28
- Chain Retainer Gasket (2) $5
- Camshaft O-Ring (2) $28
- Camshaft O-Ring (1) $5
- Camshaft Seal (1) $16
- Intermediate Shaft O-Ring (1) $2
- Crankshaft Seal (1) $27
- Powersteering Belt (1) $72
- Heat Exchanger Gasket (2) $32
- Rubber O-Ring (40) $24
- Exhaust Seal Ring (6) $75
- Parts Kleen (12) $63
- Upper Valve Cover Gasket (7) $42
- Lower Valve Cover Gasket (2) $40
- Oil Line (1) $359
- Oil Return Tube Kit (4) $157
- Parts Kleen (2) $11

LABOR: $2800

TOTAL: Approx $4,000

**** lube not included ;-)

ketel

C4Russ

Seriously, this isn't the car for you.

ketel

Not sure if I understand you, C4Russ. I ALREADY own this car, not looking to buy it.

ketel

993James993

I recommend the leak by leak plan.

How much oil are you using? Have you recorded your oil usage for at least the past 1K miles? Is there alot of oil pooling under the car?

All of these cars develop oil leaks. If you address each leak on a DIY basis you might save yourself quite a bit of money.

Bituman

I was also faced with major $$$ (close to 5k$ by the time it's done) to get oil leaks fixed. Your estimate looks very similar to mine. I decided to spend the money and get the leaks fixed, along with some other things like clutch/flywheel and distributor belt that I knew would be a problem eventually. So the total bill will be considerably more than 5k$. Mine really suffered from lack of routine maintenance and probably not driven enough (only 65,000 miles, and of that only about 10,000 miles since 1998). My hope is to get back a fun car that I can do just routine maintenance on for the next few years. I'm getting documentation (Streather, etc.) so that I can be more DIY from here on out. Anyway, I know this doesn't help you much, just wanted to let you know you aren't alone. Good luck!

Bob

Qweevox

Oh, that reminds me...Adrian Streather's "Enthusiast's Companion" is an excellent book for documentation on the 964.