tangram

I have decided to have some work done on my '95 993 and I seem to be developing a bad case of "whileyouareatititis". The car doesn't pull like it used to so I had a compression/leakdown test done. 5/6 cylinders fine, the sixth is at 50%. So yes, there is a problem. But the effort required for the fix seems excessive, saying that there is 35-40 hours of labor plus about $1,000 in parts including replacing the gasket. This will set me back around $4,500. Once the engine and transmission are out, they will also check the clutch; work on that would be at additional cost (the clutch seems fine to me).

I like the car and have decided to keep it (I am putting about $5 K into it as it is). But, the car is probably only worth $30K. What are member thoughts on my dilemma.

NC TRACKRAT

I'd say we need more info. How many miles/km on the car? Which cyl. is low? What are the compression readings for each cyl., esp. the "bad" one? Perhaps it's only a collapsed hyd. lifter.

tangram

The car has 135,000 km on it. I will ask the shop for the full test results and pass on. I am not a gear head so I do very much appreciate the help.

race911

Leakdown at 50% isn't going to have anything to do with a collapsed lifter. If the valve's closed, it's closed. And if it's closed and air is escaping to the tune of 50% leakage, whatcha gonna do???

I'm suspect at $1K for parts repair. Check what a reputable machine shop charges to recondition a set of heads, plus the price of the guides. That's the absolute minimum. Now start adding valves. And springs/retainers, if you're so inclined. Cam wear? How about those lifters? Gasket set and consumables. Those are just the barest of bare minimums..............

Quadcammer

Plan for $6k plus clutch parts and other stuff.

50% leakdown is...um...unpleasant.

stace

and be sure to NOT use OEM porsche valve guides. they are too soft. of course its the right time to replace wear items like belts, plugs and wires, distributor caps, rotors, etc. $$$$$ - but you will have a lots of great miles afterwards!

IXLR8

Well if you are going to keep it, does it matter what it is worth? What it is worth only matters if you are going to sell it.

tangram

Here are the results from the compression/leakdown:

1. 105/135 leak down performed on this cylinder 45%
2.110/175
3.125/175
4.125/175
5.125/175
6.125/175 first number is first reading on first crank last number is the highest reading recorded/ hot engine wo throttle

Linnm

My rule--engine out, replace clutch. It is a lot cheaper to do it then

MarkD

out of curiosity, where is the leak?

valve? intake or exhaust?
rings?

based on your $ quote I suppose it is a valve? probably exhaust
Anyhow, I'd want to be very sure they are doing all of the heads, not just going in to do a "repair" on one.