If an engine is rebuilt, should it still leak?

ed bates · 03-10-2004, 12:19 PM

Thanks!

70SATMan · 03-10-2004, 12:20 PM

Maybe if it was free

You probably paid good money to have everything fresh and sealed up tight. Are you still in the break in?

ed bates · 03-10-2004, 12:26 PM

Actually I am looking to purchase the car and seller is telling me the engine was rebuilt about 10k miles ago. he has receipts of this, but he is telling me it leaks 10 to 15 drops a month....Is this normal for a 3.2?

ludovicbreger · 03-10-2004, 12:35 PM

First, I would find out who rebuilt the engine, take a close look at the bill and talk to the wrench. Then do a thorough PPI.

jazzbass · 03-10-2004, 12:40 PM

Don't they all leak? What the old saying? "The only 911 engine that doesn't leak oil is the one that's empty".

Seriously, there's lots of connections for the oil system around the engine that could be leaking, so the first step is to determine if the the leak is from the engine or the other stuff. I wouldn't expect a freshly rebuit engine by a competent mechanic to leak.

quaz · quaz's Garage

There are many different versions of rebuild. If just the heads were done then it could still leak from the case. If some one just did rings it could still leak from the case. However, if it was a complete teardown it shouldn't leak.

On the same note, show me an early 911 that doesn't leak oil and I will show you a 911 without oil. (I know some of you have 911s that don't leak....Blah Blah Blah)

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

i think it depends when and how much they leak

if they drip drop a 5 cm puddle when standing still for 2 weeks, i wouldn't call it dramatic, it's more like sweating oil ...
everything is cold, componens and seals shrink, leaving little leaks

if it's 5 cm within half an hour after stopping the car and parking the engine while hot, i'de be a bit more worried.

mine was dripdry during the summer, some leaks on top of the engine but no dripping, it started to drip during winter... i'm planning to do some leak management in the next weekend before i put the engine back in the car, but from what i heard, it would be a little optimistic to assume it will 100% dry...

BGCarrera32 · 03-10-2004, 01:09 PM

No way never...that is nuts. Depends on who did the rebuild too, regular import shop or Porsche specialist. The motors aren't that complicated, but they are different.

If its a leaking oil return tube, or fitting, no big deal. If anywhere else (like the case halves) very labor intensive to repair and I'd walk.

Jim Smolka · 03-10-2004, 01:20 PM

The $$$ question, is where is the leak. Sometimes new components are bad. If the leak is easy to fix, then no worries. Otherwise...

But to answer you question, a 3.2 'should' not leak.

vash · vash's Garage

i am with BG, there are some damn easy leaks to fix, maybe it is a no brainer like, the valve covers, or hell, he reused a crush washer on the drain plug too many times. a PPI, well a good one will tell the tale. right now, to early to tell...

cliff

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Really depends on where...

Even a fantastic rebuild can leak if the valve covers were slightly warped or even if the previous owner or oil-changer over-torqued something.

Don't write it off just because there are a few leaks. 90% of the 911 motors I've seen leak somewhere. My 930 does, the racecar doesn't... Get a PPI and find out!