I’ve noticed small little drops of oil here and there on the passenger side - the puddle is about 8 months worth and I drive it maybe 3 times a month since COVID.

it seems to be near the turbos and I don’t know these cars inside and out like on BMWs for DIY. Is this an oil line to the turbos?

Any easy advice on “oh yeah it’s xxx gasket” out there?

 

Don't have an exact answer, but suggest brake clean and a good wipe down. Once clean, run the car and see where the leak originates.

 

Hello folks, an update, finally got the old girl into a shop. They are claiming all oil lines, o rings and a new oil reservoir. Claimed $2500 all in w parts and labor.

The reservoir is missing a bolt I guess that attaches it to the engine assembly. They are saying it needs a new reservoir altogether. It seems really high….

I just have never heard of having to replace the reservoir? Anyone else validate or have experienced this too?

 

Huh? You have probably have an O ring issue (if it is indeed the oil tank). Ask them to show you the missing bolt (there is only 1 that secures it to the turbo):



Shot of one of my turbos after reinstalling new lines/O rings:




You have three areas with O rings. If the bolt securing the oil tank is gone, then replace that O ring and bolt. Also replace the 4 other O rings (2 per line) to the oil lines feeding the tank. Just be careful removing those lines, if you pry too much on the flange you will break the weld to the pipe portion.

$2500 seems quite extreme. I can't imagine how the oil tank is so damaged you need a new one. Look at the way it attaches, pretty straightforward.

Ed

 

Looks like it’s just a o ring for the oil tank. Never seen an oil tank leak.

most likely an o ring for the oil lines

 

So the shop walked me through it. They are saying it needs a new reservoir because the threads are stripped from the reservoir flange and a new one is needed.

Looking at Ed’s diagram above, part 28 - in my experience, any through bolt would normally not have threads correct? Why would it have threads when the turbo housing is the one that has threads? They said Porsche is charging $1000 for the new tank (which that part I do believe).

Am I crazy? This is a very reputable shop, very well known in the Southeast.

 

Maybe they mean the threads for the bolt that holds the oil line(s) in place is stripped? Based on your pics, it would most likely be the one "boxed" in Ed's picture at the top of the diagram.

I suppose if the oil line bolt got cross threaded it possibly could be an issue, but that line has 2 O-rings on it, so all the bolt really does is just hold the line in place..

 

The thread is in the Turbo itself. The tank is secured with 2 M6 Bolts
regards
Hans

 

Unless they are talking about a thread that secures one of the oil lines to the tank, which is the only thing that makes sense if they said threads are toast.

You should be able to use a helicoil or re-tap the hole rather than replace the part.

Same thing if the thread issue is on the turbo, but they said it was the tank.

Ed

 

I have this weird feeling the shop guy (sales guy) may be taking me for a ride…. I’m torn because they have a stellar reputation and the owner is a pretty well known in the European car scene.

The oil tank at retail is half of what they are quoting.

 

^ So you are saying the shop is quoting you double the $456 MSRP for the catch-tank part? Maybe that included the labor to R&R it as well?

I would just come out and ask them about the pricing. Maybe they screwed up looking it up for the quote, maybe they ARE trying to make up lost COVID revenue from their new customers..

So far you have a bunch of warning signs.. I don't think any of us here fully understand WHAT thread they are claiming is stripped.. Ed and Hans asked some very valid questions that don't seem to line up with what you are saying the shop is doing.

I would get them to SHOW you on the picture which thread is stripped. If they cant do that, then that probably tells you something..

Your spidey senses are telling you that you might be getting ripped off. Might want to listen to them..

Just know that any joe blow with a non-commercial account can go online and buy the catch tank it for about 22% off MSRP, so I'm sure the shop is gonna pay somewhere less than $360 for the part.

 

I would ask why the service tech is requiring a new sump tank?
Most likely the threads on the sump tank from the oil vent line bolt is stripped? Lines 7 or 15 Why can't they tap it. Buy a M6 x 1.0 tap and hand it to the tech. Or heli coil kit.

Here is the rub.... Porsche labor rates add up quickly. Plus the cost of heli coil kit . The tech might say it will take 1 hour machine and clean up. At least 15 minutes in the clean machine/dishwasher.
Do you want a new part/tank or a re-tapped or heli coil insert.

I am also seeing damaged threads on the turbocharger bearing housing. Techs are not cleaning the thread bore when installing the sump tank. This is usually due to NOT ordering a new high temp Viton oring (number 29)..
They try to install new oring without taking all the lines off the sump tank and screw up the bolt hole alignment. The M6 bolt strips the bearing housing threads and you get your leak..
Looking at your picture I would have guessed there was an issue with number 29 oring and bolts.

 

kevin, much appreciated for the response. I do agree a new one may be easier than tapping and potentially later as Pcar guys are very persnickety, it may be better for value and peace of mind, but here is their work order proposal (I’ve taken out their name as I am not in the business of outing them as it may just be an isolated incident). I think I’m going there right now and just taking my car back and paying a diag charge:

does this look way out of line?

The labor they are basically claiming as $160/hr (normal) which makes this about 7.5hrs total.

The guy came back and said he is new and screwed up with the shop invoice system on importing the part cost and he said it is now $468 (still $100 above online retail). Still doesn’t give warm and fuzzies.

 

Right off the bat I see that the invoice is written by Mitchell... The labor and part pricing is incorrect.
Is this estimate from a Porsche Dealer in Atlanta? Or a Indy. The repair order is NOT correct.

https://www.porschemarinparts.com/oe...ir-99710732672

https://www.sunsetporscheparts.com/o...ir-99710732672

https://www.gaudinporscheparts.com/o...ir-99710732672 Cheapest price

I would also ask him to install 5 quarts of Mobil 5W50 to the 3.5 quarts of 0W40 Mobil 1...
You don't need to dump the oil for the sump tank replacement. Unless your engine needs a oil service.

 

Kevin,

it’s from a very reputable Indy (who has several locations in the SE). The rep has admitted to me that he is new and incorrectly keyed in part cost. I told him I could literally buy it at full retail as an online customer for less. I am all for a mark up… people have to earn a living, but paying $1000 more than needed is a bit egregious.

I also challenged him on the labor and was given a bit of a runaround saying it was tight and that is what the Porsche manual was telling him to bill. I estimated 7.5hr all in and it seemed high but I don’t know how long it is supposed to be.

I explained that it’s not the money as much as now I’m doubting the diagnosis and now the quality of the work. When things go sideways, everyone gets amnesia these days.