993 engine leaks

[tshih]

What are the typical oil leaks found in the 993 series due to lack of use?

Contemplating the purchase of a 1996 993 with "minor" leak in the central part of the engine above the silicone heat ducts. Is this leak something to live with long term and can be addressed when engine needs other work?

[Rick Lee]

Which side? The small oil filter goes just above the passenger side heat duct. When I pulled mine off, the filter was so loose, I'm surprised it hadn't fallen off. So that was an easy leak fix. The only oil leak that would really concern me would be near the flywheel. Anything else is not too tough to fix and won't cause any damage while you put it off for months.

[Bill Verburg]

Here is a 993.

passenger side leak is often the power steering pump seal at the end of the camshaft.

Either side could be an oil pressure or temp. sender.

Other than those the 993s seem to be pretty dry

[tshih]

Thanks guys,
the dealer is going to send me the part number for the seal that should fix that leak. I guess the flywheel area holds the main oil seal (crankshaft) so yes the leak there would be catastrophic. All the other suggestions seems minor and messy but not too worrysome. I'll post the part number when I get it.

[tshih]

I spoke with the dealership mechanic and he said the leak is coming from the #1 cylinder/head to case seal. The part numbers for the seal kits 993.100.902.00 and 930.100.901.04 which is the proper repair for this problem would necessitate complete re-assembly (40+h labor). I feel that it would be OK to live with this leak by cleaning it up occassionally and adding oil.

[Bill Verburg]

Is it the cyl/ head or the cyl/case? 2 different problems. The cyl/head has not been an issue on 993. The cyl/case on the other hand is another matter entirely. They are a PIA and require an almost total teardown. We are hearing of these more often lately.

[tshih]

Bill,
I was hoping that you may decipher what the kit's reseal from the part numbers I posted. It sounds like the PIA problem. What have you heard and what does most people do (ie when do they throw in the towel and teardown the engine to remove the offending leak.). What is the worst case scenario?

[Bill Verburg]

All I can tel is that both are "sets of seals"

[marcesq]

If it is either the head/cylinder joint or the cylinder/case joint, a tear down to the cylinders is required. Not worth messing with if it isn't leaving a puddle under the car after sitting for a while.

IMO - Drive and watch the floor and oil level.

[tshih]

Yep, the engine tray will now act as an oil pan catch. Still a nice car for my wife who prefers a tiptronic.

[Rick Lee]

Originally posted by tshih
Yep, the engine tray will now act as an oil pan catch. Still a nice car for my wife who prefers a tiptronic.

NOOOOOO!!!!! Remove that engine tray. Much better to have a few drips on your garage floor than make that engine run hotter than it needs to with that thermal insulator-of-an engine tray. You need to remove it!

[tshih]

Relax Rich,

the tray will only stay on for preliminary gauge of how bad the leak is. The car will be in NJ where it's not too hot most of the year and my wife won't be redlining the engine too often. This is a used car with 46000 miles of CA and NV weather used too sparingly (hence the seals leak). I believe the shield has some ground effect when the car's moving to extract out the heat from the engine or at least provide some relief. Otherwise the valveguides will suffer premature wear (except the oil/air cooling system is working as tested).