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I have searched the archives and am not sure I came away with a general consensus. I am closing in on a 1997 with 22K miles. Routinely maintained and all records. I am getting close to having a 3 hour PPI ($285)performed at a local Porsche dealer and will take it to a body shop. PPI price seems high so I am getting competitive prices.
I can get a cylinder leak down pressure test for an extra $190. If it were you would you get the leak down test? Or is this a waste of money? Would this also include the compression test or are these two seperate test? Thanks.
My own personal preference is to do a compression test 1st (not the same as a leak down), and if that compression test shows signs of cylinder weakness - than move forward to the leak down test to get a better idea of what could be amiss.
Here's my recent experience. Bought a '96 993TT in 4/02 with 47K miles. Had a reputable shop do PPI. They did compression test, and results were fine. About 1000 miles later, and problems with CEL (Check Engine Light, also known as Cash Evaporation Light) coming on, dealer did a cylinder leak down test and determined 3 cylinders were out of spec. Required an expensive valve job. Not sure what to conclude, other than a clean compression test is not a gurantee.
I think I need to start a thread on identity theft
For that few miles, I'm not convinced a leakdown test would be worth the money. Are service records available for the car?
There was a thread on the benefits of leak-down versus compression a few months back (but it may have been on the race board). You might search for it by searching posts from Steve Weiner. He had some good advice.
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