993 Cam Towers
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton
993 Cam Towers
I brought my 65,000 mile 1995 TPC supercharged, intercooled 993 C4 coupe in for oil leak repairs.
The mechanic tells me:
The timing housings are deteriorating very badly, and need to be replaced with the covers, as they are causing metal to get into the motor.
The intake and exhaust lifters need to be replaced as they are coming apart and sticking.
The left and right side cam towers are bad, as multiple bolt holes are stripped out which have been repaired before with time sets which are pulling out also.
He recommends new lifters, new timing housings and covers, billet valve covers and used cam towers because he doesn't want to rebuild the insides of new cam towers.
Sounds like a big job; are used cam towers OK?
I'm the original owner and love my car, but sometimes think the service advice I get may not be the best.
Would appreciate some input from the forum; I don't pretend to understand all this.
The mechanic tells me:
The timing housings are deteriorating very badly, and need to be replaced with the covers, as they are causing metal to get into the motor.
The intake and exhaust lifters need to be replaced as they are coming apart and sticking.
The left and right side cam towers are bad, as multiple bolt holes are stripped out which have been repaired before with time sets which are pulling out also.
He recommends new lifters, new timing housings and covers, billet valve covers and used cam towers because he doesn't want to rebuild the insides of new cam towers.
Sounds like a big job; are used cam towers OK?
I'm the original owner and love my car, but sometimes think the service advice I get may not be the best.
Would appreciate some input from the forum; I don't pretend to understand all this.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 478
Likes: 125
From: TX
I brought my 65,000 mile 1995 TPC supercharged, intercooled 993 C4 coupe in for oil leak repairs.
The mechanic tells me:
The timing housings are deteriorating very badly, and need to be replaced with the covers, as they are causing metal to get into the motor.
The intake and exhaust lifters need to be replaced as they are coming apart and sticking.
The left and right side cam towers are bad, as multiple bolt holes are stripped out which have been repaired before with time sets which are pulling out also.
He recommends new lifters, new timing housings and covers, billet valve covers and used cam towers because he doesn't want to rebuild the insides of new cam towers.
Sounds like a big job; are used cam towers OK?
I'm the original owner and love my car, but sometimes think the service advice I get may not be the best.
Would appreciate some input from the forum; I don't pretend to understand all this.
The mechanic tells me:
The timing housings are deteriorating very badly, and need to be replaced with the covers, as they are causing metal to get into the motor.
The intake and exhaust lifters need to be replaced as they are coming apart and sticking.
The left and right side cam towers are bad, as multiple bolt holes are stripped out which have been repaired before with time sets which are pulling out also.
He recommends new lifters, new timing housings and covers, billet valve covers and used cam towers because he doesn't want to rebuild the insides of new cam towers.
Sounds like a big job; are used cam towers OK?
I'm the original owner and love my car, but sometimes think the service advice I get may not be the best.
Would appreciate some input from the forum; I don't pretend to understand all this.
If the lifters are bad you will hear constant tapping inside the motor. It will be noticeable. Do you hear this?
If the timing housing is ‘bad’, it usually means it’s warped. This causes a poor seal/oil seepage but I’ve never heard of metal getting in the motor. The warping issue was really prominent in the early impact bumper models. I don’t think it’s a common issue with 993s.
if bolt holes are stripped out that would usually indicate a massive loss of oil in the ground and the car not drivable (at least I would not drive it)
If I were going this extensive I would go new cam towers. They are <400 for each side. Maybe he has a pair of used cam towers in his shop taking shelf space?
Last edited by paranoidandroid; Feb 21, 2021 at 10:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton
SoFlo
Boca Area
Have worked with several shops in area
Stripped cam tower bolt holes is old story from multiple sources
Held together with sealant and smoking heavily
Not only does he not have used cam towers on his shelf, hes having trouble finding some good ones
Dont understand why we dont use new ones
He claims theyre $1200 and then theres internal oil tubes and stuff to be rebuilt?
I havent heard ticking lifters, but then Im pretty deaf
Havent used these guys in a while, because they always hose me
But they were the only ones who would replace my burnt-out built-in Escort radar-laser detector-jammer
Boca Area
Have worked with several shops in area
Stripped cam tower bolt holes is old story from multiple sources
Held together with sealant and smoking heavily
Not only does he not have used cam towers on his shelf, hes having trouble finding some good ones
Dont understand why we dont use new ones
He claims theyre $1200 and then theres internal oil tubes and stuff to be rebuilt?
I havent heard ticking lifters, but then Im pretty deaf
Havent used these guys in a while, because they always hose me
But they were the only ones who would replace my burnt-out built-in Escort radar-laser detector-jammer
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Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton
I am in South East Florida - Boca Raton area.
And I've used most of the indies in this region, as well as the dealers (OMG).
I haven't used this guy in a while because I know he hoses me, but he is the only one who is willing to replace my burnt-out 9500ci with the new MAX Ci 360.
I don't hear the lifters tapping, but then I'm pretty deaf.
Not surprised the timing covers are leaking; don't really know about warpage or metal in the motor.
The butchered cam towers are an old story; ham-fisted techs stripped out the bolt holes and my baby drips and smokes heavily, with basically glued-on cam covers.
I think the towers SHOULD be replaced with new ones as this is an on-going problem, but the mechanic says new ones are $1200 and then he has to rebuild the oil tubes and other stuff inside(?).
He said it's too expensive, but I'm sure I'm already in for a small fortune.
And he doesn't have them on his shelf, as he says he's having trouble finding "good ones."
Hard to get another opinion as the motor's in boxes, but advice, knowledge and input from the Forum is always appreciated.
Thanks!
And I've used most of the indies in this region, as well as the dealers (OMG).
I haven't used this guy in a while because I know he hoses me, but he is the only one who is willing to replace my burnt-out 9500ci with the new MAX Ci 360.
I don't hear the lifters tapping, but then I'm pretty deaf.
Not surprised the timing covers are leaking; don't really know about warpage or metal in the motor.
The butchered cam towers are an old story; ham-fisted techs stripped out the bolt holes and my baby drips and smokes heavily, with basically glued-on cam covers.
I think the towers SHOULD be replaced with new ones as this is an on-going problem, but the mechanic says new ones are $1200 and then he has to rebuild the oil tubes and other stuff inside(?).
He said it's too expensive, but I'm sure I'm already in for a small fortune.
And he doesn't have them on his shelf, as he says he's having trouble finding "good ones."
Hard to get another opinion as the motor's in boxes, but advice, knowledge and input from the Forum is always appreciated.
Thanks!
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 478
Likes: 125
From: TX
I am in South East Florida - Boca Raton area.
And I've used most of the indies in this region, as well as the dealers (OMG).
I haven't used this guy in a while because I know he hoses me, but he is the only one who is willing to replace my burnt-out 9500ci with the new MAX Ci 360.
I don't hear the lifters tapping, but then I'm pretty deaf.
Not surprised the timing covers are leaking; don't really know about warpage or metal in the motor.
The butchered cam towers are an old story; ham-fisted techs stripped out the bolt holes and my baby drips and smokes heavily, with basically glued-on cam covers.
I think the towers SHOULD be replaced with new ones as this is an on-going problem, but the mechanic says new ones are $1200 and then he has to rebuild the oil tubes and other stuff inside(?).
He said it's too expensive, but I'm sure I'm already in for a small fortune.
And he doesn't have them on his shelf, as he says he's having trouble finding "good ones."
Hard to get another opinion as the motor's in boxes, but advice, knowledge and input from the Forum is always appreciated.
Thanks!
And I've used most of the indies in this region, as well as the dealers (OMG).
I haven't used this guy in a while because I know he hoses me, but he is the only one who is willing to replace my burnt-out 9500ci with the new MAX Ci 360.
I don't hear the lifters tapping, but then I'm pretty deaf.
Not surprised the timing covers are leaking; don't really know about warpage or metal in the motor.
The butchered cam towers are an old story; ham-fisted techs stripped out the bolt holes and my baby drips and smokes heavily, with basically glued-on cam covers.
I think the towers SHOULD be replaced with new ones as this is an on-going problem, but the mechanic says new ones are $1200 and then he has to rebuild the oil tubes and other stuff inside(?).
He said it's too expensive, but I'm sure I'm already in for a small fortune.
And he doesn't have them on his shelf, as he says he's having trouble finding "good ones."
Hard to get another opinion as the motor's in boxes, but advice, knowledge and input from the Forum is always appreciated.
Thanks!
I knew someone who would drive his Cayman to get worked at Drivers Choice in Orlando and others on the forum mention them as well.That sucks that someone butchered the cam towers before...I don't think they can be rethreaded. As for used or new cam towers, i would think the job is the same. All those seals need to be replaced - they are 24/25 yrs old. Most shops would consider the labor to be about the same as a top end rebuild at this point. They will not warranty or risk their reps on another leak 2 mos later. At this point, i would call around and price out a top end rebuild. And ask them to include the below on their quotes (Note: I don't know how to quote another thread, but this is from Andy/pp000830 and has helped me alot)
How to compare quotes:
- A quote should include a bill of materials parts list and cost;
- A list of costs for any outside machine work;
- A list of hours for each aspect of the work and an hourly rate;
- For something like this a list of contingent costs that may arise during work
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,572
Likes: 2,037
From: Dallas, TX
Not really sure what you speak of when you say warpage.
Striped out cam cover faster holes can be retapped or filled, redrilled and tapped using a low-temperature brazing rod.
Most likely without taking the housing off the engine or possibly completely dropping the engine from the car.
Andy
Last edited by pp000830; Feb 23, 2021 at 10:05 AM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 320
Likes: 245
From: Khartooshkaville, ID
Hi Blwr,
Not really sure what you speak of when you say warpage.
Striped out cam cover faster holes can be retapped or filled, redrilled and tapped using a low-temperature brazing rod.
Most likely without taking the housing off the engine or possibly completely dropping the engine from the car.
Andy
Not really sure what you speak of when you say warpage.
Striped out cam cover faster holes can be retapped or filled, redrilled and tapped using a low-temperature brazing rod.
Most likely without taking the housing off the engine or possibly completely dropping the engine from the car.
Andy
...And, there are Time-Certs that could replace ruined threads. Just sayin...
YMMV
