Top End Rebuild

[lancelot092466]

Hello all

I would like the expert opinion of the members of this forum. I have a 2002 996 C4 Cab with 70k miles on it. Back in June 2009, I noticed that the car was consuming more oil than is usual, about 400miles per quart, and black soot was accumulating on the left tail pipe. At the time it had about 60K miles. I brought it in to an independent shop where they did a leak down test and bore scoped the cylinders. The result was mixed. Neither the sleeves nor the pistons were cracked but the pistons rings were shot on cylinder 4 & 6. The recommendation was a complete top end rebuild. I decided to wait and see if the situation worsened. Over the past couple of months the oil consumption has gotten worse; it is now around 300 miles per quart. So I called the shop for an estimate on the rebuild and they came back with $8900. The parts are about $3600 so that means labor is $6300.

I would like to know from the members here if that number sounds accurate and if anyone here knows of another independent shop in NJ where I can get a second opinion. Also if anyone here has had this kind of work done what was their experience? Did they feel it was worth it?

Thank you in advance. I truly appreciate and value your input.

[CabC2]

Hello all

I would like the expert opinion of the members of this forum. I have a 2002 996 C4 Cab with 70k miles on it. Back in June 2009, I noticed that the car was consuming more oil than is usual, about 400miles per quart, and black soot was accumulating on the left tail pipe. At the time it had about 60K miles. I brought it in to an independent shop where they did a leak down test and bore scoped the cylinders. The result was mixed. Neither the sleeves nor the pistons were cracked but the pistons rings were shot on cylinder 4 & 6. The recommendation was a complete top end rebuild. I decided to wait and see if the situation worsened. Over the past couple of months the oil consumption has gotten worse; it is now around 300 miles per quart. So I called the shop for an estimate on the rebuild and they came back with $8900. The parts are about $3600 so that means labor is $6300.

I would like to know from the members here if that number sounds accurate and if anyone here knows of another independent shop in NJ where I can get a second opinion. Also if anyone here has had this kind of work done what was their experience? Did they feel it was worth it?

Thank you in advance. I truly appreciate and value your input.

I just had the engine rebuilt. Cracked head and cylinder, so I did not have a lot of choices. I did my homework and yes, that price is good and correct. Most of the time, unfortunately, is spent in labor hours. It takes about 40 hours to put the engine back. The pieces are about 3k yes (I have the itemized list from the invoice. Make sure that they address upgrades while at it: IMS retrofit, crankshaft, etc. Some of the later year pieces already take care of potential issues regardless. The thermostat, make sure that they put one for European cars (it will make the car run cooler).

Your cast is a 2002 so you should be able to reuse it with some guarantees (the 99s had porosity issues which lead to many more problems).

Whether you need the rebuilt or not, as you can see the problem is that to get to the cylinder rings, they have to take the engine apart. The rings themselves are very inexpensive. But, since you have to pay for the labor.... you might as well pay for renovating the rest of the engine. That is why they recommended rebuilding.

Add another few bucks for whatever they find along the way (they found out that the transmission mounts were worn out. This is usually about 15 hours of labor to take transmission and engine out to replace a $100 piece. Because the stuff was all out, they charged me only the cost of the piece.

Just make sure that they are good Porsche mechanics. And get a second opinion, it is a lot of money. If you have to rebuild, after the traumatic experience you'll find yourself with a new engine.

Good luck, and sorry to hear about your issues.

Edited February 17, 2010 by CabC2

[txhokie4life]

Hello all

I would like the expert opinion of the members of this forum. I have a 2002 996 C4 Cab with 70k miles on it. Back in June 2009, I noticed that the car was consuming more oil than is usual, about 400miles per quart, and black soot was accumulating on the left tail pipe. At the time it had about 60K miles. I brought it in to an independent shop where they did a leak down test and bore scoped the cylinders. The result was mixed. Neither the sleeves nor the pistons were cracked but the pistons rings were shot on cylinder 4 & 6. The recommendation was a complete top end rebuild. I decided to wait and see if the situation worsened. Over the past couple of months the oil consumption has gotten worse; it is now around 300 miles per quart. So I called the shop for an estimate on the rebuild and they came back with $8900. The parts are about $3600 so that means labor is $6300.

I would like to know from the members here if that number sounds accurate and if anyone here knows of another independent shop in NJ where I can get a second opinion. Also if anyone here has had this kind of work done what was their experience? Did they feel it was worth it?

Thank you in advance. I truly appreciate and value your input.

Not sure what their definition of top end rebuild is -- but at that price I would expect

all the way down to the crank and new bushings/bearings/rings (there is not much

more to do when you crack the engine case to get to the pistons that you

might as well do the crankcase) and I would also expect a complete

valve job. Assume $100/hr -- I can see it taking a lot of time -- just not sure 60+ billable hours.

mike

[CabC2]

That would include valve job.

[mookster]

What is the cost of reman engine these days?

What is the cost of a used engine? Most shops/vendors do provide some sort of warranty when you opt for this choice.

You can only spend your dollar once. Just throwing out some alternative ideas.

[CabC2]

Porsche reman engine, around 13k plus taxes for a 99. for a 02, 1k less. add 2.5k for installation.

However you cut it, there is no way you will spend less than 8k for rebuilt/install. Just need to look for right place.

[lancelot092466]

Hi

I am posting an update on my engine rebuild. After 11 long weeks I finally picked up my car last Thursday. It now has a completely rebuilt engine with re-bored cylinders, JE Pistons, and a long list of other improvements. Mike and the team at PowerTech did an amazing job. I want to thank them for being patient and taking the time to explain thoroughly every step of the process. I am breaking in the engine for the next 1500 miles.

Cheers

Richard

[phillipj]

:clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

[Loren]

:thumbup: