Hi all,

I am looking at 993TT's to purchase, and wanted to inquire re: oil leaks. A few of the cars I have seen have some oil trickling out over various parts, especially over the exhaust. These are old cars, I know, and this is almost par for the course. How much of this is inevitable, and also how much is due to the car just sitting around not being driven? Will the car smell like burning oil every time I start it up unless I do an engine out service?

Thanks!

 

Anyone with a 993 that is not leaking at least a small amount of oil is either not driving them or has had something resealed in the last 10,000 miles. Air cooled 911's have a certain smell to them which everyone seems to value. I think it's really the smell of the thin film of oil from all the leaks being heated releasing all of the aromatics. At least that's what mine seems to be from

They say Porsche designed the engine tray for aerodynamics and reduced noise. I'm convinced that it is a mobile drip tray!

 

No they shouldn't leak nor should they smell of oil. The safest thing you can do before you buy is to get an inspection by a qualified source. My pick here in Illinois is a independent shop known for its expertise in air-cooled 911s. The shop charges $240 for a 90 minute visual & performance inspection. For an additional $480 (on top of the $240) you get a leak-down test performed. Good luck.

BTW my 993tt doesn't leak, my old 1984 911 Carrera didn't leak, my old 1976 911S leaked a fair amount.

 

Thanks for all the replies - the car is not actively leaking a large amount of oil, it just has a small trickle around some of the parts. I think this is more of a engine service and seal situation.

 

It's likely the lower valve covers gaskets, which tends to leak right on the heater exchange. This is nothing to be concerned about, just service $.

The engine doesn't need to be dropped for this service if the case too. Your turbos will need to be removed to access.

Don't be afraid of small leaks, I'd focus more on compression and leak down #'s.

 

many but not all of these cars leak a little oil, some remain leak free

minor leaks do not affect the proper function of the engine, so long as you monitor the oil level often enough and understand where the seepage is coming from

can be a little irritating to find oil drops on the garage floor... or to smell some burnt oil that hits the heat enchangers

that aside, you can drive the car and enjoy it without fear or worry

 

mine has been sweating on the heat exchangers for years i monitor the oil closely. every couple of years i have my detailer pressure clean all the oil off the exchangers. the cars runs perfect and put 400 hp to the wheels with 99k miles. i am just looking for another excuse to replace the lower valve covers than just an oil sweat but the car is so reliable i havn't had anything else go wrong to warrant removal of the turbos, in the meantime i enjoy the port drive smell in my garage as part of the experience. i'll reseal it someday but i spoke to kevin at umw and he advised they all do swaet at this point asnd not to waste my money unless there is something else that needs to be done to warrant turbo removal. hope this helps

 

My advice from own experience is to REALLY check where it's coming from before buying.
Could be nothing could be a pita to fix.

 

i have one and unfortunate it leaks from time to time

 

Yours must be some kind of hybrid or electric that doesn't smell! My 993 Carrera which is fully sealed (new gaskets etc) that doesn't leak a drop anywhere and smells oil, the characteristc of a aircooled 911 or at least from a 993. Same goes with my 993tt, although my turbo has a small leak which I'm not from where it comes (not valve covers nor chain covers).