Questions on oil leaks to my 1999 911/996

[redmatte911]

Question ... First Porsche I ever bought... Drives like nothing else on this planet ... I'm about to get an oil change and this local Porsche mechanic said I need to do some resealing and then pointed to the right to a larger area and said there is an oil leak there... I'm sure with these performance cars that's common so no biggie... He wants to charge me 115 for the resealing and like 545 to fix the "bigger" oil leak... He's only charging me 158 for the actual oil change (muuuuuch cheaper then B-Hills Porsche)...so question for the 911 Veterans...am I being taken for a ride or is this a good deal... Either way I'm def getting it taken care of ASAP ... Please respond at your convenience ... Best regards!


Tanvir H.

[Luxter]

First, welcome to the forum and congrats on your purchase!
It would really help if you knew what exactly leaks in your engine.
From my (limited) experience, I cannot see any oil leak fixed reliably for $115 unless your oil filler cap was not tight enough.
The "bigger" oil leak - if that is rear main seal (RMS), would cost much more than $545 as it requires transmission to be removed to get access to it. RMS is a common source of oil leaks in 996 & 997 and I am assuming that RMS may be leaking in your car.
An oil change for $158 does not sound bad, as long as you get quality filter (Wix, Mahle or Mann) and quality oil (typically Porsche A40 approved) in your engine.
There is a lot information on oils and filters on this and other forums (Rennlist, Renntech). Search is your best friend.
Happy motoring
=L=

[redmatte911]

L,
Thank you so much for that feedback...I just registered on rennlist and I will def take account all the feedback and advice I possibly can get...this car is a true investment and has been a dream of mine since I was 8...well at that age, I wanted a boxter, as I got older and did more research, it was all about the Carrera!!!!

[Luxter]

Originally Posted by redmatte911

L,
Thank you so much for that feedback...I just registered on rennlist and I will def take account all the feedback and advice I possibly can get...this car is a true investment and has been a dream of mine since I was 8...well at that age, I wanted a boxter, as I got older and did more research, it was all about the Carrera!!!!

I certainly know how that feels my friend, been there.... It took me a while too.
Careful, there are a lot of "opinions" out there.
BTW, I am on Rennlist under the same name in 997 forum.
Regarding all repairs, make sure it all makes sense even if you don't have background in mechanics, if you know what I mean. Even better, have someone you trust with you as your sanity check, or "bad cop".
I do a lot (if not all) by myself. That way I don't have to deal with shops, mechanics, etc. Oil change is trivial, many do it even without a floor jack.
A $99 Costco alu floor jack will make your life easier. A lift of some sort will make it feel like heaven. There is a thread in 911 Technical about all sorts of lift options. This forum is mostly about aircooled anyway.
Enjoy your dream car.
=L=