I purchased my first Porsche on the west coast back in the good old days 3 years ago and drove it across the country to Boston. I'm mechanically challenged in a big way but love my car and want to maintain it to near perfection mechanically.

Hergesheimer on the west coast did my PPI. I've taken care of all of the relevant issues except these:

"Oil seepage at #6 cylinder - between head and cylinder
Seepage between case half and #1 cylinder
Left valve cover gasket seeping"

I'd kindly appreciate any advice as to what I need to do to correct this issues and what parts I should order. The left valve cover gasket seems pretty obvious. I apologize in advance for the elementary questions!

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Matt - Boston

 

1- Oil seepage at #6 cylinder - between head and cylinder
2- Seepage between case half and #1 cylinder

Those two are a big job......Remove motor, and do a reseal... I would leave that alone. As for the valve cover, order a set of Billett covers and gaskets from Darin at Fister "D" and that will cure that problem.

 

Hi Matt,

Mike R. offered good advice: replace that valve cover gasket but the rest requires partial engine disassembly and that should be left to a professional.

You didn't say how many miles are on your car so its difficult to offer much constructive advice beyond the above.

 

Sounds familiar

As guys above said, changing the valve cover gasket is a DYI, although not the most pleasant one. Order a set of lower valve gaskets and 22 new bolts (pretty cheap under $100 total from a dealer). Decide if you'd like to replace the valve covers themselves, that's under $170-200 for stock plastic units or $300 for cool aftermarket metal ones. but it is probably not needed if yours are not warped.

Where are in Boston are you?

 

I just replaced all valve cover seals and 12 spark plugs.

I used the Valve Cover article on the P Car Workshop site to get me started. Unfortunately, it does not discuss replacement of the upper valve cover seals so I used the Spark Plug replacement article for access to the upper valve covers.

I found the Porsche parts manual and service manual handy at times for torque specs and just for an understanding of how things went together even though I've worked on everything from chainsaws to aircraft. I've sent you a PM.

I've posted additional pics of the valve cover seal replacement on my site.

If you plan to do any work yourself, you will need to invest in quality tools and a couple of quality torque wrenches, the latter, especially if you do not have a feel as to how tight to make things...I have the feel, but use torque wrenches whenever possible.

As for the other two items...define "seepage". You might not have to do anything if it is that insignificant.

 

You guys are the best. Thanks so much for the advice. I'll probably not be able to resist the "cool aftermarket " variety. My car has 84K on the odometer Steve. I'm from the south shore nile but spend much of my time in the White Mtns.

Again thank you all for the most useful advice.

Matt