$730 and no improvement

[Meka]

I had the cam "O" ring seals replaced last week on my 911. Ended up costing me $730. Thats with an oil change. I had them replaced due to a oil leak on the left side of the car. The shop that did the work has done lots of work on this car over the past three years. Never a problem. Three of my friend also take there Porsche's to this shop for repairs. I've never heard anything negative about the shop at all. (Other than them being a bit pricey.) Great guys! Here is the problem. No change in the oil leak at all. How should I deal with this? Either they misdiagnosed the problem or the fix failed. Am I wrong in thinking they should pay to make it right even if they misdiagnosed the leak? Please, suggestions on how to deal with this.

[bigchillcar]

no question in my mind that i'd return to the shop with the car. if the intent of the repair was to stop the leak and it's still leaking i'd want to speak with the shop..
ryan

[ianc]

if the intent of the repair was to stop the leak and it's still leaking i'd want to speak with the shop.

Exactly right. This part was replaced as a result of their initial diagnosis. Unless they notified you beforehand that they couldn't guarantee results, I should think they'd want to have another look at it.

ianc

[white87911]

Sure, It it their responsibility. Unless you took the car there and said "replace the cam rings" and thatwas not the problem. But if they said that is where the oil is coming from and it is not fixed then they should make it right.

Be positive at first, dont yell, tell them that you and your 3 friends who all deal with their shop have had great results in the past, but you are a little disheartend that the oil leak is not fixed.

[jtratza]

Shop I use in Houston has never billed me for missed diagnosis in the 7 or 8 years I have used them. And what makes this interesting is they also are saying I need to replace the cam seals. I'm holding off for a top end rebuild later this year but may move that date up with the amount of oil leaking all over the garage floor.

[Tyson Schmidt]

Any honest shop will take care of you and make it right. If you trust them, then there shouldn't be a problem getting this taken care of.

Have them check to make sure the cylinder #1 intake rocker shaft isn't leaking. (You said left side, right?) It can look like the same leak. Less common, but still a possibility.

[Want to be]

unless its burning on the exhaust or the oil leaks are huge amounts i would not worry about it.

Porsche 911 leak, after you fix one leak another one will pop up.

Just place a mat underneath and save your money.

Check with the mechanic, i could be in another area.

jpc

[bigchillcar]

i don't think anyone here would argue that these engines were 'designed TO leak', but the reality of air-cooled motors such as these is that over the years a great majority have been operated and maintained poorly through either ignorance or lack of funds or both on the parts of series of owners. props to brian for what a porsche underside can look like..
ryan

[Want to be]

Yes i believe you can fix the issue but if its not a daily driver and its not burning of the exhaust why worry.

Yeah i have sent thousand on oil leaks and really i should have not bothered in my mind.

again just my 2 cents , it also depends on your environment temp.

cheers

jpc

[Want to be]

Not fixing leaks is ghetto , that's funny!

Dime drops is not ghetto, heck most older muscle cars leak to.

Again, your climate in california is different than the midwest.

Heck cars from florida go through extreme heat.

My 1989 25th avn 911 never leaked one dime but some of my other porsche did and i fixed them.

cheers

jpc

[Eagledriver]

I think it depends on the year. I've had 2 86 Carreras that didn't leak for the most part and I was able to fix any leaks they did get. I've had 2 72 911s and couldn't keep up with the oil leaks on either one.

-Andy

[911pcars]

"They tend to leak from only a few common areas. "

Only a few:
crankcase seam
front crank seal
rear (flywheel) crank seal
Lower valve cover x 2
Oil pressure sender
Oil temp sender
Oil drain tube x 4
cylinder head-to-cam housing seam x 2
cylinder to crankcase gasket x 6
chain box cover x 2
Thermostat
Camshaft oil line x 2
Chain tensioner oil feed line x 2
Crankcase breather cover
Cam housing end plug/seal x 2
Camshaft O-ring x 2
Rocker shaft x 6

I probably missed something. :-)

Some are easier to repair than others. Some require partial or complete engine disassembly.

Sherwood

[MobileWrks]

That is a warrenty issue, have them fix it. If they dont, push the issue a little bit. If they dont prep it right, it will leak. Ive done plenty of common leaks, and never got a call back for warrenty.. If i had done something to a car, and it was to leak, right to your house nocharge!!!! thats how a good word gets around..

I do goto modesto, once they fix it. Look else where to have your car done. Most my reffrences are on this board...

[Meka]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I also felt they were responsible. I just wanted to know how you all felt about it. I definitely want this leak fixed. Whats strange is if it sits for one to three days I might see three to four drips of oil. On the fourth or fifth day of sitting I have seen as much as a pint of oil. Like it all spills out at ounce.

[drums]

I think I know where you took your car. They are top notch people and I wouldn't even think twice about taking it back. You don't even have to get pushy with them. I can assure you, they WILL take care of it and make you feel comfortable about it.
They are doing my suspension upgrade and 3.6 conversion. My car is on the right side rack [black].
Drums

[white87911]

Originally posted by Meka
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I also felt they were responsible. I just wanted to know how you all felt about it. I definitely want this leak fixed. Whats strange is if it sits for one to three days I might see three to four drips of oil. On the fourth or fifth day of sitting I have seen as much as a pint of oil. Like it all spills out at ounce.

It sounds like you oil drain back tubes may be leaking, after a few days the oil drains back in to the engine and then when the level in the engine get to the height of the o ring on the tubes it leaks, I would at least take a look at them.

[jorian]

Socal,

With engines that clean you must:

A) Have a mechanic in a white lab coat on staff
B) Be in the care of a whole team of psychiatrists
C) Have no friends

I was feeling pretty good about my valve covers until I saw yours....

[911pcars]

I must insert this link, a homage to the oil in and from our engines - the lifeblood of the 911.

http://www.early911sregistry.org/CWelty.html

Sherwood

[Want to be]

i enjoyed that link.

jpc

[drums]

Hey Meka,
Did you talk to Keith and Bob, yet? If so, how was the outcome?
Drums