My mechanic said. "You have a Porsche that leaks, Welcome to the club". He also said there is no reason to do a top end to fix leaks. When the car needs a top end fix them at that time. The big unknown is when will it need one. Who knows, but it surely doesn't need one now according to everyone I have spoken with. He also suggested what Sergio said and maybe run a heavier weight oil. I'm due for the yearly oil change so I will probably go with Mobil 1 20-50W Synthetic for the Harley Davidson aircooled motors.

Gotta say I'm relieved even though the 997 C4S Cab I was going after was sold.

Mike

 

You know .. Marc from 9m .. when he was here in October, he kept noticing that many folks 993's sounded 'clacky' to him and he suggested that we (Yanks) run oil that is too thin for the engine design and need to go with a 20/50 weight all year long because we generally don't drive the cars in extreme conditions or weather ...

 

It's likely that the C4S that got away will develop a similar oil leak if it doesn't already have one. Don't sell your car for less than it's worth because you think it might need a top end at some point. That could be years away.

 

This seems to be the general consensus. I think, no I know, I overreacted when I heard it was coming from the cylinder base. Now that I hear it's not that uncommon I feel better. I still hate seeing the drop on the floor, but I would hate seeing the bill for a top end more. For a car with 104 on the clock and that's all that's going on with it I consider myself in good shape.

Nice day here and I'm going out for a drive later.

Mike

 

^^^ that's what those lower engine covers are for .... right?

 

Get a large aluminum drip pan to put under the engine. I have one in my garage under the 993. I park the 964 outside and the engine sits over a rock drive way that I am not concerned with.

You mentioned changing engine oil. My son switched the 964 from Mobil One to Brad Penn after all the oil threads a couple of years ago. It seems like it drips a little more now. Not sure if that is related to the oil or if the car just leaks more.

 

A honest man with a honest mechanic. A perfect combination.
Too many people get mugged for a top end rebuild with that ‘while we’ve got it out’ rubbish. If it was only a few hundred sure why not. A 20w-50 for summer use is stated in the hand book and that is obviously in a new engine. With 104k miles, all year round in these old engines might not be a bad thing leaks or not. (Unless you live in Siberia)
I hope you had a great drive Mike.

 

Mike, drop the top, drive it and enjoy it. Drive down to Lynchburg and get a case of the good stuff....

 

Love Lynchburg, but I am KY born and raised. Bookers served at my house.

Mike

 

Mike,

I have been following your thread for a while and think that now that you have come to the end of it, I'd like to pile on!

I bought my 98 C2S when it had 102k miles on it and drove it for a year. Though I had weepage such as you have patientlly described, I was OK with it having owned 4 previous 911's, each of which leaked much more oil than my weeping 993. If you own a 911, they will eventually leak.

At any rate, after a year, I got the dreaded CEL for the SAI system and made the decision to do my own upper end. I'm not an experienced mechanic, but good enough with wrenching to take the job on with the assistance of advice from this and the Pelican boards.

At any rate, the engine is now out and torn down. The gasket that is causing your cylinder base leakage is a very thin elastomer O-ring that slips around the base of each cylinder. Other than the function of preventing the leakage of oil at the interface between the cylinders and the case, these O-rings have absoluttely no other function. I think that the OEM price on these O-rings is less than $5 each; however, you have to dissassemble the engine to the point of removing the cylinders from the engine in order to replace them.

Given your honesty and the lengthly list of upgrades done to your car, I wonder why you would be selling it for wholesale. The car is clearly worth more. One certainty I am aware of is that one NEVER attempts to sell a sports car, especially a cab in winter. Cold weather is absolutely the worst marketing time of the year for open cars and pricing always reflects that!

I just purchased a beautiful Boxster for one of my sons (I negotiated.....but, he is paying for it!) and we were able to buy the car at a very low price simply because the owner had a new car being shipped in from Germany and absolutely needed to move the car before the first of March. His loss due to poor calendar timing is now my son's gain.

You have done all the correct upgrades for the age of your car, and the big ticket items like a new clutch are now done. If the car smogs out, and the compression and leakdown are acceptable, you have an extremely sound car that is very saleable.

When you re-market the car.....do it at the beginning of convertible weather (like in April or May) and do present as marketing data the written results of both the recent compression and leakdown tests. Those two items coupled with your honesty should command a price well off the wholesale value of a Porsche. You have a beautiful Porsche that, in spite of its age, is healthy and should have a long life ahead of it as long as it is maintained as you have done.

 

Thank you. I agree with everything you've said. I was selling the car at wholesale because I was buying the C4S cab at wholesale. The wholesale price on my car was before I saw the leak and not after. The C4S came up quick (trade in) at a dealer friend of mine and that was the reason for the price on my car. I just thought I would offer it to a Rennlister for the same price. I would rather see a fellow enthusiast get the car. When I was getting my car checked out the the C4S Cab I wanted sold.

I agree about the proper time to sell the car. Down here in Nashville we are already hitting the 70's with the early Spring. I've had some other people interested. Now that I have all the numbers on the car and the leak is not a big deal my mind is at ease.

Mike

 

Sorry to hear your plans for a new ride were derailed Mike and I'm sure the past week has been a PITA. You did a good thing here and hopefully karma comes around your way when you need it.

 

Plus there are alot of 997 C4S's around unlike the 993's. You'll find another in no time!

 

And then you can sell it, and buy your car back again. They say Third Time is A Charm.

Emerald

 

Glad to hear your wallet won't be taking a hit, Mike. Good luck with the sale. Someone will be getting a sweet car from a very upfront Rennlister, and that is simply refreshing to see.