WhiteHotPepper

I am looking at buy a 96 993TT and the porsche dealership wants $400 to do a PPI that does not include compression/leakdown. It checks body panels paint thickness etc. They use the obd port and computer to see if the engine is balanced as far as compression goes. This PPI is what Porsche uses to inspect for CPO cars. I told the service manager that I wanted a compression/leakdown down test done. They charge $700 for that only. What are your opinions of whether or not to go to the more expensive PPI.
Thanks
Jeff

sfbanchs

answer: go to an indy forget the dealer half their techs probably wern't certified when said car was built just my .02

96_993TT

Hi Jeff. Is the car in Washington State? If you can have it done in the Seattle area and you're looking for a 3rd party shop check out Squires Autowerke in Bellevue. They do great work and do a lot of work on 993's. I had them look at a 993 Cab that we were considering and he didn't even charge for the PPI since after 10 minutes he told me it needed $10k in engine work. We passed on the car. They're honest and very fair. PPI with leakdown is around $450 for a 993. BTW, always do a leakdown. Its worth every penny and ask that they take the fender liners off and inspect for body work. There may be other shops in the area but the only experience I personally have is with Squires and Barrier Porsche. Barrier is a dealer but they've always been very fair as well and have done work on a lot of our cars as well. A little more expensive but they also do great work.

techsis

It does not hurt to use a paint meter, but a good set of eyes is more important as the paint on the 993 is not always the same thickness on the panels.

From my experience an indy $350 to $400 ppi should include a compression and leak down test. I would only do a ppi on a 993 at an indy.

JJayB

A leakdown by itself should be around $400 as it's a pita to get to the plugs.

MarkD

+1
On NA cars you have more options due to the dual plugs. On the turbos you get one hole, that's it! And some are tough to get to.
In any case, I agree with what has already been said, go indy for this.

I would not trust a dealer to do a PPI on one of these cars. There are always exceptions, of course... if a dealer has a mechanic experienced with earlier cars, great.

Kevin

Forget the compression test.. Go straight to the leakdown test.. We want leakdown number to NOT go over 6% IF you are buying the car. There are cars that have 20 to 45,000 miles that I have seen at 2%.. Most fall between 2 to 4%. 6% and greater will most likely point to the exhaust guides..

BTW, Ask you shop ahead of time "in writing" to replace the spark plugs that you HAVE brought in AND to write down where the leakage was. Crankcase, intake or exhaust.. If they take a little time they will be able to pinpoint where the compressed air is leaking.

Ask for the old plugs..

bb993tt

^^ Better yet just stand there, watch the test and ask any and all questions in the moment. That's what I did. Do change the plugs.

WhiteHotPepper

Thanks for all your input! The car is already at the Dealership and I have told them to do the Leak-down and plugs. I would love to watch and "help" but it's a 1500 mile drive to the dealer! Thanks Kevin for the technical numbers I should be looking for!
Jeff

Turbodan

so this is a $1100 PPI?
why not take it to the Indie (Squires did one for me years ago and found $25 k worth of engine work needed) and save a little money.

Receiver

I would not let a P dealer do a PPI on a 993TT. Not likely to have anyone who knows anything about the 993 TT and too expensive. The PPI should be done in steps. Do the easiest and cheapest first. If the easy cheap ones don't disqualify the car, keep going. The leakdown is the most expensive. If the car hasn't been disqualified when everything else has been looked at then do the leakdown as the final hurdle. Don't buy without a leakdown.

WhiteHotPepper

The results of the PPI are...
Cyl 1 120 lbs
Cyl 2 120 lbs
Cyl 3 125 lbs
Cyl 4 120 lbs
Cyl 5 120 lbs
Cyl 6 125 lbs
2% leakdown across the board cold.
I bought the car. Here is a teaser as I will post a new owner thread.
Thanks for all your advice and knowledge!
Jeff

DM993tt

25K woth of enginne work? I didn't know that was possible. THought you could pretty much buy a new motor for that much.

Marshy

PM sent Jeff...

Quadcammer

nice car from Ray Joseph.

Compression numbers seem low, but at least they are even (the gauge may be screwy).

Ray sells nice cars at a nice premium. enjoy it!