993 top end over haul 60K fact or fiction???
03-28-2007, 11:56 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
993 top end over haul 60K fact or fiction???
I posted this question on the pelican website and someone recommended posting this question here.
I was talking w/ an independent Porsche service advisor about a couple of higher mileage 993 (varioram) I had seen recently. He told me to plan on a top end overhaul ($5K) in 993s with over 60K. I told him I found that very surprising, and asked him details, he said that almost all 993 that have come into their shop need top end overhauls, why I asked?, and he said worn valve guides.
So after thinking about it awhile, I wondered was this service advisor wrong or maybe just full of crap. Or maybe these are dealer serviced 993s that’s owners after finding out they needed a rebuild and went to the independent to save money.
Anyway would appreciate hearing from high mileage 993 owners to find out if this is a myth or reality.
Thank you
I was talking w/ an independent Porsche service advisor about a couple of higher mileage 993 (varioram) I had seen recently. He told me to plan on a top end overhaul ($5K) in 993s with over 60K. I told him I found that very surprising, and asked him details, he said that almost all 993 that have come into their shop need top end overhauls, why I asked?, and he said worn valve guides.
So after thinking about it awhile, I wondered was this service advisor wrong or maybe just full of crap. Or maybe these are dealer serviced 993s that’s owners after finding out they needed a rebuild and went to the independent to save money.
Anyway would appreciate hearing from high mileage 993 owners to find out if this is a myth or reality.
Thank you
03-29-2007, 12:02 AM
#2
Weathergirl
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You should plan on it. It's a 9-12 year old car. If you're not prepared to spend $5k on resolving an issue that comes up, buy something newer with a warranty. Not saying you'll need to spend it, but if you don't have $5k to spare, don't buy a 993.
03-29-2007, 12:03 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
The search function is your friend my friend. This has been discussed at length here as well as on the PCA tech tech section.
To answer your question(s) I had my top end done at 93k miles+/- some have gone longer, some have gone much shorter distances and there are so many factors that determine how quickly it might need to be done.
To answer your question(s) I had my top end done at 93k miles+/- some have gone longer, some have gone much shorter distances and there are so many factors that determine how quickly it might need to be done.
03-29-2007, 12:11 AM
#4
Originally Posted by fast_freddy
The search function is your friend my friend. This has been discussed at length here as well as on the PCA tech tech section.
To answer your question(s) I had my top end done at 93k miles+/- some have gone longer, some have gone much shorter distances and there are so many factors that determine how quickly it might need to be done.
To answer your question(s) I had my top end done at 93k miles+/- some have gone longer, some have gone much shorter distances and there are so many factors that determine how quickly it might need to be done.
+1 for Fast Freddy, and +1 for RallyJon. Keeping 5k in reserve is par for the course...if you don't need to spend it on the top end, there are potentially other gremlins out there. I recently bought a 95 C4 and spent nearly that on inspections, tires, 60k service, new wheel, etc. At 10-12 years old, and unless they've been maintained in exquisite condition (for which you will pay alot more than 5k in purchase price) they will need some work, and neither the parts nor the labor is cheap.
03-29-2007, 12:14 AM
#5
Weathergirl
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LOL--yeah. Deferred maintenance. Forget the top end rebuild--you can spend thousands fixing little stuff if the prior owners (and their mechanics) were lazy.
03-29-2007, 12:22 AM
#6
Addict
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My 97 C2 had 59k miles on it when it went down with SAI problems; the exhaust guides were shot and the others weren't too far behind. Just did the top end (with better valve guides) for $3250.
Could I have waited a while if the emissions weren't a problem (and it needed a clutch anyway)? Probably.
Freddy, let me know if you want to swap rims for a while ;-)
Could I have waited a while if the emissions weren't a problem (and it needed a clutch anyway)? Probably.
Freddy, let me know if you want to swap rims for a while ;-)
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03-29-2007, 09:18 AM
#9
Originally Posted by Lawrence_P
No! Give me a break, that's ridiculous.
Mine made it all the way to 72,000!
Mine made it all the way to 72,000!
Rob
03-29-2007, 09:21 AM
#10
R.I.P
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I think that your mechanic is looking to buy a new boat. Having some cash available is of course prudent when considering the purchase of any 10 year old car.
03-29-2007, 09:27 AM
#11
King of Cool
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You might have to do top end at 60k or you might have to do it at 250k.
(there's cars that have had it done aroun 60k and cars that have not been "top ended" and have 200k+ miles)
(there's cars that have had it done aroun 60k and cars that have not been "top ended" and have 200k+ miles)
03-29-2007, 09:30 AM
#12
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I purchased my 993 with 68k on and have put 30k on it in the last two + years. I haven't had to do anything non-discretionary to it until now at 98k the left front (Boge) shock failed so I'm putting in an MO30 suspension kit from Gert Carnewal. Otherwise its just been oil changes really. My car uses about 3/4 quart of oil ever 2k miles. Maybe someone would say it needs a top end overhaul but it doesn't smoke and it runs like a top. Perhaps the mechanic has a case of perfectionitis.
03-29-2007, 09:35 AM
#13
Nordschleife Master
It is going to depend on a lot of variables such as whether or not the car was used in a lot of stop and go traffic which allowed the engine to run much hotter than a car that was only run on the the highway. Think Atlanta rush hour traffic. A car in that environment will need a top end sooner than a car used in a cooler environment on the open road. I have seen 993 engines at 20k need a top end due to valve guide leaking and exhaust valve pitting from heat causing high leakdown and check engine lights. The issue is real, the mileage varies with usage, but it is something to plan for.
03-29-2007, 09:42 AM
#14
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Originally Posted by Geoffrey
It is going to depend on a lot of variables such as whether or not the car was used in a lot of stop and go traffic which allowed the engine to run much hotter than a car that was only run on the the highway. Think Atlanta rush hour traffic. A car in that environment will need a top end sooner than a car used in a cooler environment on the open road. I have seen 993 engines at 20k need a top end due to valve guide leaking and exhaust valve pitting from heat causing high leakdown and check engine lights. The issue is real, the mileage varies with usage, but it is something to plan for.
