kingroon

Is it unrealistic to assume I can change a Head Gasket on a 968..?

I have a feeling mine might be on the way out, and wondered if I can tackle the Job myself..

Jay Wellwood

I see why no reason why not if you've got the time and tools.

Probably the most challenging aspect of the job will be resetting the cams - and there is enough experience here to help answer any questions you might have.

Boeing 717

Yea you could do it, (if you've turned a few wrenches in your life) I don't think it would be all that big a deal.
Why do you think it's "on the way out"?

kingroon

I had some bubbling in the Oil on the Dip Stick after some involved driving at the Porsche Experience Centre at the Weekend.. Figured that might be Coolant ingress..? Or inferior Oil perhaps..??

I have gotten Elbow Deep in the oily bits my 993 before, so it doesn't scare me, just need to know if I can do it with the knowledge I have.. Have to say that the mention above of "Resetting the Cams" raised my Eyebrows..!

Boeing 717

I rented a coolant tester at auto parts store that could tell me if I had combustion gasses in my coolant from bad head gasket, maybe try a couple of different tests first before going down the rabbit hole. Perhaps an oil analysis to check for coolant in the oil?
I think coolant in the oil will be a brownish/whiteish sludge on the dipstick or oil cap.

LTCMontana

Manuals are online. You'll need the 944 16V books too. It's not that hard. Follow the book.

There are workarounds for keeping cams together for removal also. I've done them a few times on 16V 944s and once on my 968 when a timing belt went while someone else was driving it when I was deployed. Had the new belts on the bench when it happened. A few valves and some lifters later, we were purring like a kitten. I did not have to reindex cams.

Also, 'oil cooler'' on side of block is notorious on these engines for mixing oil and coolant. Do your research.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...nt-mixing.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-...nt-in-oil.html

oppositelock

Fortunately the 968 does not suffer from the oil/water mixing due to oil cooler. The 968 has a stand alone oil cooler in the right front nose of the car. For sure test first before ripping apart. You can remove the cams and NOT move the indexing as was noted above. So re-timing will not be necessary as long as you are careful. Any other oil leaks? Might be time to pull the engine and do a reseal on a stand.

Z3M&968

Even with the external oil cooler, I'm pretty sure they can still mix since the housing, though changed, remains in use:



A leak at the pipe seal would lead to mixing I believe. Correct me if I am mistaken.

Z3M&968

Even with the external oil cooler, I'm pretty sure they can still mix since the housing, though changed, remains in use:



A leak at the pipe seal would lead to mixing I believe. Correct me if I am mistaken.

LTCMontana

You are correct. Oil separator on engine is still I use on 968 and can leak. Ask me how I know.

oppositelock

Yes, you're correct, block did not change, only the adapter. 944 suffer more than 968, but with age the seals can fail and allow mixing.