993 crank case seals

[mail@bluebirdcarriers.com]

My 1996 993 105,000 miles is in the work-shop for a crank-case overhaul. This is a biggie, engine out job & approx 50 or so man-hours I'm told.

The problem is that the crankcase is made up of 2 halves, which are joined together with 8 or 16 bolts, I cant remember. Oil flows around the crankcase and into the bolt cavities by design. At either end of the bolt, rubber O rings act as the sealant to keep the oil inside the crank-case.

All 993's are approx 25 years old now, and irrespective of the mileage, the rubber O rings are perishing as a function of time elapsed, thus causing multiple oil leaks.

My question is : what additional work should be undertaken at the same time as replacing these O rings, as hopefully this is a once in a generation event ?

Are there any upgrades one should be looking to do at this opportunity, or is keeping things original best ?

I would be very intersted in other's experience who have had this job done, and the expectation of the costs involved.

All input gladly received

 

[jboult]

Hi,

I had this done quite a few years ago. At the time my mechanic said most people tend to live with it and keep on top of the oil level and he was surprised I wanted it done given the cost, but I prefer to keep everything up to scratch.

This may not be much help, but in the end it really depends on what hourly rate you pay. At the sort of hours you're talking the difference between rates could make a huge difference. I assume you've got a quote from the garage you use - they should advise you what people usually have done as well.

The parts can be very pricey, depending on what you do. For example, I used uprated Dilavar head studs, which are far more expensive than the steel ones (I must have been feeling flush), and unless done recently you'll probably be looking at new plugs and leads while the engine is out. It all adds up very quickly.

On the upgrade side, except for what's listed above I haven't changed much on the engine. Suspension and transmission yes, but the engine when set up correctly and the Varioram is working properly is a beauty. Great noise, too!

I'm not sure what it cost me in the end as I was having a whole load of work done, including a gearbox rebuild and an LSD fitted. However, I get a very good hourly rate from my Porsche mechanic, who has huge experience with the 993. At Porsche service centre prices I'd probably have run a mile!

Cheers/John

 

[mail@bluebirdcarriers.com]

Hi John
That is very helpful. Apparently 993's are now being priced according to whether this crank-case job has been done or not. If not, the price is knocked back by about £ 5k. So you will be pleased to have had the foresight, even if others thought it pedantic !

Regards
Paul

 

[nickgardner]

New clutch while the engine is out? my 4s at 75000 miles is still on its original clutch (i have had it for 20 years) and every service I get an advisory on minor oil leaks from the engine bit I have not as yet felt the need to address them!

 

[pse_SC]

Apparently 993's are now being priced according to whether this crank-case job has been done or not. If not, the price is knocked back by about £5k

I think this (the price differential) is pure fiction and a handy excuse for people making more money on the back of gullible owners with little knowledge of their cars... (just my opinion).

 

[ras62]

Front and rear crank seals can be replaced without splitting the crankcase or removing the engine on a C2. Bottom end is normally bulletproof.

 

[jboult]

You could be right - I read the question as being about the through bolts though, which were leaking on mine, rather than the crank case oil seals.

My engine was coming out anyway for a whole load of other work on that and the transmission, so it was a case of in for a penny...

I sometimes wonder what I could have done with the money instead!

John

 

[ras62]

Through bolt seals can also be done without splitting the cases. Depends on budget I expect as once at that point its about 10 hours more labour to split them. New parts are always the big unknown when stripping a motor but one thing it will need is new exhaust valve guides. Changing the hydraulic tappets good to do, they dont last forever.