cost to reseal engine from leaking

dporsche74 · 01-01-2009, 07:02 AM

hello

Interested in purchasing a 964, runs drives good, but leaking oil,
what is a estimate to reseal the engine
thanks

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

A lot depends on the year and Mileage.
Anywhere from ~3-10k plus.
The 964 had leak-problems with missing head gaskets from '89-'92? and that's a major cost to rectify.
With high Mileage, a 3.6 liter would also need additional work/parts and not just a reseal.
If someone does it cheap, they'll be sorry later on.

Have a shop with 964-experience look at it to determine if the heads are leaking etc. and ask for a leak-down test.

mjshira · 01-01-2009, 08:18 AM

this question is very vague and thus tough to reply to. recommend you post some pictures, more info on the car, etc.

tonythetarga · 01-01-2009, 08:21 AM

you should get a couple rec's from guys here about where to have it PPI'd in CT. Then use the findings to negotiate your price. At least you'll know what you're buying.

Porsche_monkey · 01-01-2009, 09:23 AM

Not a practical purchase unless you can do the work yourself.

Or look at it this was, say the car is cheap $12,000, maybe? You get stiffed for $10,000 on the engine, is it now a $22,000 car? Nope, it's a $17,000 car. You just threw away $5,000.

But, buy the car for $12,000, re-seal the engine yourself, spend maybe $3,000, then you have $15,000 into a car that could fetch $17,000.

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

I paid 6k. This included pulling the engine and some component reasembly. I agree w/ the suggestion to PPI and use as a negotiating tactic.

Britwrench · 01-01-2009, 01:04 PM

As Gunter says, it depends so much on mileage and condition. Having done plenty of 964s with various mileages and conditions, if it is leaking that bad it also may need plenty of other stuff.

dporsche74 · 01-01-2009, 01:25 PM

yes i will take on lift, lets hope it a valve cover, or oil tubes , it also has some paint clearcoat peeling on the roof which is going to need a repaint , car has about 200K it which makes me think ,someone took good care for this car for sometime

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by dporsche74

yes i will take on lift, lets hope it a valve cover, or oil tubes , it also has some paint clearcoat peeling on the roof which is going to need a repaint , car has about 200K it which makes me think ,someone took good care for this car for sometime

Sounds like wishful thinking: 200k and hoping for minor leaks?
A lift will tell you nothing unless someone with real 964-experience checks out the whole story, including a leak-down test.
There are many, many areas and parts that can leak and just looking at the engine from underneath does not give you the source.

If you do just a cheap PPI, you'll be sorry later.

Any history about major work done on the engine?

What year is this 964?

Porsche_monkey · 01-03-2009, 09:18 AM

I think Dr. Gunter is being a realist. In general, cheap cars are cheap for a reason.

I still think $3k is likely do-able on your own, and $10k is likely if you are just cutting a check to a mechanic.

Lukesportsman · 01-03-2009, 11:01 AM

The only thing I will differ on potentially is the new value. A lot here depends on your expected ownership. I'd rather have a "fresh" $20k car than a $17k unknown car. Just because the $17k car doesn't need an overall yet, its still somewhat a dark horse. If you can buy it right and plan to keep it for years, then this may still work out in your favor.

Just get good PPI's and don't go in blind. Know what your getting into and it could be a fun/learning experience. If you get caught blind sided, that is when it hurts. If this didn't make some sense to many of us here, we wouldn't be restoring long hoods or all the other fiscally silly things. Just don't kid yourself and do it right so you won't continue to have issues and end up hating her in the long run. You'll have a low $20k 3.6 car that should be dependable into the distant future. This of course is assuming your getting it quite cheap.