Point of reference for cost wanted...

[oarable]

This sounds like heavy money to me Casey. Even in the metro NY area, top end engine rebuilds at very reputable shops are less than $15k, assuming all the normal issues are addressed.

[darrin]

Don:

Reading this thread again, I see two underlying issues -- 1) your external oil leaks and 2) whether you have an underlying oil consumption issue.

My '86 carrera needed to have its valve guides replaced at around 90k miles due to my oil consumption hitting around 500 miles per quart. I was seeing rather significant dripping at the time and asked my mechanic how much of my consumption I should contribute to the dripping. He measured out a teaspoon of oil and dropped it on the floor -- it left a surprisingly large puddle -- and advised me that my oil leaks were having, at best, a nominal impact on my overall oil consumption.

SO, in my case, the oil was being sucked into the cyliniders via the worn valve guides and both my oil leaks and oil consumption problems were resolved through a top end overhaul.

Not clear from your posts what your underlying oil consumption is looking like (or what your plugs look like, etc.) ?

Seems like you'd be "spinning wheels" and potentially wasting time/money if you put the time and effort into chasing external leaks with the engine in the car, only to later determine that it really needs an engine drop/top end overhaul.

[jwill911]

Since I'm in sort of a similar situation as the OP I thought I'd add a little "from my perspective" commentary.

My car is an `87 Carrera, I started realizing I had the premature valve guide issue at ~35K miles. I now have 99K, I have minor oil leaking and my usage is < 1 quart per 500 miles. Since the question of fouled plugs came up and I just replace mine last weekend I thought I post a picture of my plugs after > 10K miles. I only see excessive carbon build up on plug #5 the others run pretty clean.

The car still runs very strong no missing. And yes I stick them in a piece of cardboard each time, I toss them once I've eyeballed them sufficiently.

My reason for such interest in this thread is I'm in that boat too.

[darrin]

jwill -- your plug #5 looks VERY familiar -- Good news is that you should be fine for a LONG time once you get the top end done -- I've got 90k on my top end rebuild (171k total) and am getting around 1,500 miles per quart (with some relatively significant leakage now occurring too)

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by oarable

This sounds like heavy money to me Casey. Even in the metro NY area, top end engine rebuilds at very reputable shops are less than $15k, assuming all the normal issues are addressed.

If I lived in Metro NY, I'd drive it up to Dan Jacobs in CT.

[86 911 Targa]

I removed the air cleaner/air meter as one assy.

Then the fuel meter.

At that point you have good access the "Triangle".

But, prior to doing that, clean up the motor,
and, using a mirror, let's see, if the leak is @ the triangle.






^^^^^
Here are the locations.

I would suggest cleaning up the motor, then, have a look.

You can't fix what you can't see............

I had a leak at the oil pressure switch which sent the oil
to all "corners" of the motor.

"While I was in there" I replaced all of the "local" gaskets.

Parts are cheap, about two hours time.

Good luck,

Gerry

pm me as needed[/QUOTE]

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by donagain1

My '85 Carrera 3.2 has oils leaks, and apparently not from areas that are easily accessible. They seem to be from around the front of the engine. I've been making do with a drip pan under the car to deal with the inconvenience, and keeping an eye on dipstick levels regularly to avoid issues. The hot oil smell when I park somewhere after driving is starting to bother me, so it's time to finally deal with it.

An engine drop is no doubt required, and I know there's a lot of DIYers here who have R&R'd their engines with little problem. As it would be a one-time affair for me, and given my age and size these days, I'd rather not buy one-time use tools/equipment, and slither around under the car to self teach myself the required techniques. So, I'm thinking of taking it to the dealer or a shop.

The question is can anyone give me a shop-time / dollar cost point of reference so I can compare whatever estimate quotes I get? I know there is going to be unknowns and variables depending upon what they actually find, but a good starting point would be what the minimum I can expect to pay for the engine drop and reinstall. Can someone give me a clue based upon their experience?

Don

Don,

Have a look at my post on this thread.

Gerry

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Can someone post some links on how to address triangle of death with the engine in the car?
I'd like to read about this. Is this in the Bentley?

Have a look at my post on this thread.

Gerry

[donagain1]

Originally Posted by darrin

Don:

Reading this thread again, I see two underlying issues -- 1) your external oil leaks and 2) whether you have an underlying oil consumption issue.

My '86 carrera needed to have its valve guides replaced at around 90k miles due to my oil consumption hitting around 500 miles per quart. I was seeing rather significant dripping at the time and asked my mechanic how much of my consumption I should contribute to the dripping. He measured out a teaspoon of oil and dropped it on the floor -- it left a surprisingly large puddle -- and advised me that my oil leaks were having, at best, a nominal impact on my overall oil consumption.

SO, in my case, the oil was being sucked into the cyliniders via the worn valve guides and both my oil leaks and oil consumption problems were resolved through a top end overhaul.

Not clear from your posts what your underlying oil consumption is looking like (or what your plugs look like, etc.) ?

Seems like you'd be "spinning wheels" and potentially wasting time/money if you put the time and effort into chasing external leaks with the engine in the car, only to later determine that it really needs an engine drop/top end overhaul.

Darrin, points well taken. Unfortunately (fortunate for the environment though) the catalytic converter does mask telltale exhaust smoke, but there's a possibly that a portion of the consumption is guides oriented. With the engine running so strongly, I've never had reason to pull the plugs between major tunes, and have had them done by a shop.

[donagain1]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Don,

Have a look at my post on this thread.

Gerry

Gerry, I appreciate your post more than I can say. The before/after pics are invaluable, and thank you for doctoring up my engine compartment photo to illustrate just where the items are located. This is the sort of helpful post that makes this forum so beneficial. Well done!

I've replaced the blower motor when it died, so I'm familiar with the time/effort to R&R it, and I had the air filter box off when I R&R'd the sound padding, so that'd be a relatively easy not-so instant replay as well. I thought about removing the air flow and fuel meter assemblies as well at the time, but found that it wasn't all that necessary to accomplish my task, so I didn't mess with them. Now it doesn't seem so daunting... a PIA for sure, but at least a manageable one. I also see that your engine/xmission were out of the vehicle, which obviously would render the task to be f-a-r simpler, so I've got a bit of work/reward concerns to weigh on a personal level. As you noted, clean it first... can't fix what you can't see. Thanks again!
Don

(PS... Dang, I miss the old Manhattan Bar and Grill on MBBlvd near Sepulveda)