[Grady Clay]

I inspect the sump plate and screen at every opportunity; oil changes and more. This is an important ‘window’ into the machinery of our 911s.

The cost is insignificant in the overall scheme of things. Two gaskets, some Nyloc nuts and sealing washers. You can tolerate some seepage or go back and seal up any leak. If you are “seep free”, I suspect someone glued the gaskets in place – makes for more difficult changes.

There is also another important ‘window’: cutting apart the oil filter and examining the filter element. There is a ‘can-opener’ like tool to open the filter. You want to rinse the element into a coffee filter as residual oil can mask engine debris.

If you do this regularly, you will recognize any impending problem. I am a strong supporter of preventive medicine. Repairing a broken engine is a too-expensive alternative.

Best,
Grady