Engine leaks diagnosed by a non-Porsche wrench

[rbuswell]

I'm negotiating on a fairly low miles 1982 SC Coupe that's in a smaller town about 550 miles from home and the local foreign car mechanic, who does some Porsche work, tells the current owner that there appears to be two leaks. This is the quote from the current owner's email:

"I had my mechanic look at the engine leaks. The case split has a minor leak. The other leak comes from the front of the engine. Since we couldn't see in that area he could only speculate that it was the oil pressure sending unit for the idiot light. Both of them could be expensive to fix. However, I would think long and hard before pulling an engine, seperating it just to fix a minor oil leak. The other is more practical to fix. It involves removing the air box and other engine top parts to get to it. (mechanic's name) said about $500.00. I should also say that I just went out and checked the floor under the engine. It's dry. This is after driving it yesterday afternoon down to the mechanic, (mechanic's name), and back. About 30 miles round trip. Yes there is oil residing on the out side of the engine, but not enough to drip. (mechanic's name) told me "if a Porsche isn't leaking oil it must be out of oil." So, the point being that it leaks, but they are not serious. (mechanic's name) also said that for a 24 year old car that the engine has never been apart the leaks are minimal."

Could I get some input and ideas on how to deal with this long distance? This would be my first Porsche and I intend to do most work on it as a hobby but wouldn't want to get in over my head right out of the shoot. The car seems pretty attractive otherwise. I expect to trailer the car back home.

Also any opinions on a non-Porsche specialist doing a PPI given the owner's relatively remote location?

[rlane]

I am not sure I would worry so much about the leaks, Mine is undergoing a rebuild but leaked pretty much before. I would make sure they do a more improtant check and pull off the valve covers and check the head studs. Do a search on here and you will find many threads on this. The SC's are afflicted with broken Dilavar head studs which is an expensive fix.

[john walker's workshop]

sounds like it isn't too bad. the out of oil quote sounds like a harley. case half seepage is very common toward the flywheel end of the engine, and is usually very minimal. not worth a total teardown for sure. the oil light switch can be replaced easily enough by going in over the top of the intake, and lowering the engine makes it even easier, but there's usually a thermostat o-ring and breather hose leak issue in the same area, which requires an engine removal to get at. about a $400 job with parts.