dhughesinc

I found a 96 993 c4 with 100k miles and finally agreed on the price with the owner. After we verbally sealed the deal, the owner was taking the car to fill it up and noticed a rattle from underneath. Luckily, he immediately took it to a p-car mechanic. The mechanic says the pressure plate needs to be replaced, and once you're in there might as well replace the clutch and outbearing drive for a total bill of $4500. The owner cant financially sell it for what we negotiated it for, but is willing to go halves with me if I still want it. I'm ok with this, since it's still a good deal and the car I want.

The question is while the mechanic has everything broken down (21hrs of labor!) is there anything else I should have done since it's a 100k car and plan to have it for long time...

Is there any mods that would be beneficial for a weekend driver?

IXLR8

21 hours? You're kidding?

While you are at it, as a minimum:

• spark plugs
• spark plug wires
• valve cover seals on all four valve covers
• cam chain cover seals & grommets
• power steering belt
• engine main seal
• transmission input shaft seal
• clutch disc
• clutch pressure plate
• clutch release bearing
• clutch release fork and all associated parts

dhughesinc

Yes, 21 hrs is what the mechanic said. I wasn't questioning it but I'm asking for a written estimate now.

Slow Guy

Where are you? 21 hrs. is an obscene time for just the clutch (f/w, TOB) replace for a professional wrench. IMHO

We have quite a few "clutch replace - while I'm in there" threads. Suggest a search using "clutch replace".

matt777

I can only assume they are going to drop the engine for this which isn't required unless you are going to do some other jobs. I wonder if the rattle isn't the flywheel in which case that will need replacing too. At 100k I would do it anyway. The slave cylinder and hose should be replaced. The valve cover gaskets and timing chain gaskets do not need replacing unless they are leaking badly. Some weeping on the timing chain cover gaskets is to be expected.

Rick Lee

I could do this job on jackstands in under 21 hrs. That's NUTS! It's been a few years since I did this job, but back then they sold clutch kits that included the pressure plate, disc and throw out bearing. In addition, you probably want to replace the bushings or bearing caps on the release fork, maybe the slave cylinder. That's all you have to do if you just remove the tranny. If you take the whole drive train out, then it becomes a slippery slope. But it's still nothing close to 21 hrs. A lot of big jobs on the engine can be done in minutes once it's out of the car.

inkatouring

A clutch can be done for less than that (but I wonder if the quote includes a new flywheel). Regardless, depending on where you live, you might want to get the car without the clutch being done, but discount the selling price by $2250. If the car is drivable for a few hundred miles, you could figure out what may or may not need to be done and find a shop that will do the clutch for less as well. Just a thought.....

Oh, and I would put in a lightweight flywheel myself, but you may not want that "upgrade." And if you're dropping the engine, how are the valve guides and seats?

Texas993

AWD 993s require an engine drop to get to transmission repairs - so I am told.

But my shop can drop the engine in < 3 hrs. (not that they charge me for that time.)

ca993twin

Think about replacing the insulation "blanket" above the engine while the engine is out (assuming yours is getting ratty).

Slow Guy

Or better still, remove it completely. That's what I did.

tbil

I know the shop did my clutch replacement (2 wheel drive) in a single day, less than 8 hrs. No need to drop the engine. Something wrong with that 21 hour number as others have stated.

If it has to come out, plugs are so easy and cheap that I'd consider that a must. Wires as well if they havent been replaced.

BobTheZealot

Yep, just had my clutch and pressure plate replaced less than two weeks ago (1995 C2). Labor was 7 hours. No need to drop the engine.

MarkD

Even if you drop the engine, it is about 8hrs (assuming all is generally well with the hardware) to replace the clutch assy FW and associated pieces and that includes "doing it right" with proper cleaning and lubrication of all components involved.

If you start getting into other maintenence items, then the time can add up.
but 21hrs would include a lot of other work... maybe there is more to the quote than just the clutch? The estimate yuo asked for should clear it up.

user 70801213

and I assume the "rattle" is a failing DMF, and not necessarily the clutch itself?

1pcarnut

$4500 and 21 hours is stealing from someone. I'm with what inkatouring suggested. Take off the $2250 from the sale price, get the car in your hands and shop around from some quotes. My first place to get a price for parts would be from FD Motorsports. I highly recommend going for the lightweight clutch and flywheel. If the engine is coming out then definitely do the plugs. Let us know how things work out.