Oil Leak...Need ADVICE
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 6
From: 514
Oil Leak...Need ADVICE
I have a 96 C4S. last summer I noticed that the car had a little sweat on the bottom of the cylinder case(drivers side) and the lower valve cover (drivers side).
I would get the occasional drop or two on the garage floor, but nothing to worry about according to my mech.
This year, when I went to pull it out of storage, I looked underneath and saw nothing, I started it, still no visible leaks....as I pulled out of the parking spot a lot of oil shot out.
I took it to 2 Indies and they both told me that Cylinder O ring needs replacing, possible something else..while u r there, open up the engine and do a complete reseal. 2 weeks later, the car is in my garage and no oil on the floor.
What should I do? Should I bite the bullet now and do a complete engine drop and reseal and "while u r in there", or wait till it gets worse.
Also, one mech quoted me 40 hours x $80/hr ($3200) and the other quoted me 47 hours x $75/hour (3500). plus parts needed. (does anyone have a list of all the seals, gaskets and bolts etc. I will need so I can atleast buy the parts from Suncoast to save some $$$.
I appreciate any insight on car and hours quoted....
I would get the occasional drop or two on the garage floor, but nothing to worry about according to my mech.
This year, when I went to pull it out of storage, I looked underneath and saw nothing, I started it, still no visible leaks....as I pulled out of the parking spot a lot of oil shot out.
I took it to 2 Indies and they both told me that Cylinder O ring needs replacing, possible something else..while u r there, open up the engine and do a complete reseal. 2 weeks later, the car is in my garage and no oil on the floor.
What should I do? Should I bite the bullet now and do a complete engine drop and reseal and "while u r in there", or wait till it gets worse.
Also, one mech quoted me 40 hours x $80/hr ($3200) and the other quoted me 47 hours x $75/hour (3500). plus parts needed. (does anyone have a list of all the seals, gaskets and bolts etc. I will need so I can atleast buy the parts from Suncoast to save some $$$.
I appreciate any insight on car and hours quoted....
Race Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 72
From: Tampa, FL
I finishing a re-seal today. It is not to be embarked upon lightly. Mine was leaking at the o-rings between the heads and the cam towers. Since all that was apart, we did the timing chain guides, tensioners, all the gaskets and o-rings, spark plugs, valve cover gaskets, etc... Also discovered that my alternator needed rebuilding, and the housing was cracked and the fan was bent. I believe as the result of the belt breaking at speed on the track a couple of years ago.
My mechanic sells me parts for cost and a labor rate that is about 1/3 retail rate, and I have $3k in the project as of this morning. Hope to be done this afternoon. It all started with a half-dollar sized oil puddle on the garage floor...
My mechanic sells me parts for cost and a labor rate that is about 1/3 retail rate, and I have $3k in the project as of this morning. Hope to be done this afternoon. It all started with a half-dollar sized oil puddle on the garage floor...
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 651
Likes: 29
From: Seattle, WA
I would do a thorough job on tracking down the leaks before diving in.. leaking wont do damage unless you leak everything - so just keep a good eye on it. What oil are you running? if you are not on 5-w50 then you could try that (0-w40 is a lot thinner).. I have a leak that goes down to my O2 sensors, but it is coming from the timing chain covers. Im going to go with the thicker oil and give the bolts a tighten to see if that fixes it for the next little while. oh, first Q! how many miles?
phil.
phil.
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,299
Likes: 19
From: Arlington Heights, IL
Also, one mech quoted me 40 hours x $80/hr ($3200) and the other quoted me 47 hours x $75/hour (3500). plus parts needed. (does anyone have a list of all the seals, gaskets and bolts etc. I will need so I can atleast buy the parts from Suncoast to save some $$$.
I appreciate any insight on car and hours quoted....
I appreciate any insight on car and hours quoted....
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 6
From: 514
I would do a thorough job on tracking down the leaks before diving in.. leaking wont do damage unless you leak everything - so just keep a good eye on it. What oil are you running? if you are not on 5-w50 then you could try that (0-w40 is a lot thinner).. I have a leak that goes down to my O2 sensors, but it is coming from the timing chain covers. Im going to go with the thicker oil and give the bolts a tighten to see if that fixes it for the next little while. oh, first Q! how many miles?
phil.
phil.
The previous owner did a complete reseal about 6 years ago too.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 428
Likes: 1
Terrible advice!
I would do a thorough job on tracking down the leaks before diving in.. leaking wont do damage unless you leak everything - so just keep a good eye on it. What oil are you running? if you are not on 5-w50 then you could try that (0-w40 is a lot thinner).. I have a leak that goes down to my O2 sensors, but it is coming from the timing chain covers. Im going to go with the thicker oil and give the bolts a tighten to see if that fixes it for the next little while. oh, first Q! how many miles?
phil.
phil.
Trending Topics
Race Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,942
Likes: 27
From: Dallas TX
Your leak was worse immediately after taking the car out of storage because your seals dried out over the winter. As you drove it, they expanded with use. I'd say that your leak will remain small as you drive it this summer. Like most cars, they don't like to sit.
I'd wait until it gets bad.
I'd wait until it gets bad.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner
Joe Kucinski
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People
Verdad Gallardo
Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod
Verdad Gallardo
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 785
From: Canada & the Alps
I would shampoo / degrease the engine with a water-based degreaser and determine where the leaks, if any, are coming from before spending big coin.
If it is the valve covers, and chances are it would be the lower valve covers, that is an easy fix with just a couple of new rubber valve cover seals.
If it is the valve covers, and chances are it would be the lower valve covers, that is an easy fix with just a couple of new rubber valve cover seals.
King of Cool
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,212
Likes: 8
From: Miami Beach, FL
Your leak was worse immediately after taking the car out of storage because your seals dried out over the winter. As you drove it, they expanded with use. I'd say that your leak will remain small as you drive it this summer. Like most cars, they don't like to sit.
I'd wait until it gets bad.
I'd wait until it gets bad.
Who cares about a tiny oil drop in the floor every now and then, you'll buy a lot of cleaning supplies with the money you spend on sealing o-rings.
Drive it.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,413
Likes: 8
From: San Diego, CA
OMG!!!! A 911 that is leaking oil?!?!?! 
1 quart oil to replenish the supply + cardboard to soak up the drips << $3500 re-seal + part$ + while I'm in there.
But a big +1 on the comment above about storage and seals drying up a bit. Monitor things while you drive her this summer, THEN decide what you want to do.
Blasphemy, but.....put the engine tray back on and it will catch most drips for ya...
1 quart oil to replenish the supply + cardboard to soak up the drips << $3500 re-seal + part$ + while I'm in there.
But a big +1 on the comment above about storage and seals drying up a bit. Monitor things while you drive her this summer, THEN decide what you want to do.
Blasphemy, but.....put the engine tray back on and it will catch most drips for ya...
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,654
Likes: 93
From: Torrance, CA USA
the 993 is our 3rd air cooled Porsche, both of her older siblings (80 911Sc and 68 912) marked their spots as well.
In 30 years of ownership our mechanics have never worried about small oil leaks nor have they recommended immediate fix. wait until it is a problem, or you have other needs that warrant "while you are in there" fixes.
In 30 years of ownership our mechanics have never worried about small oil leaks nor have they recommended immediate fix. wait until it is a problem, or you have other needs that warrant "while you are in there" fixes.