Some questions

[Gsaps]

unfortunately I can't be very specific with details but I'm looking at a targa that apparently 'needs a new exhaust', can someone give me a ballpark figure to replace one 

 

also the seller says there is what he describes as a small oil leak in that after leaving the car parked for a few days there's a small amount of oil on the floor, not to the extent of having to top up the oil though. I've read a few things and it seems one of the common reasons for this is the oil return hoses... is this a "cheap" fix

 

i understand without specifics, it's difficult to give accurate answers but I'd appreciate any guidance

 

thanks

[GUT]

Depends where the oil is coming from and how much as that will tell you how far you need to got to fix it.

Generally speaking, there's no such thing as a cheap fix for 911 oil leaks.

 

[Dreamr]

There are 3 x oil seals in a kind of a triangle on the top of the engine that leak when they dry out ....

They are a common issue on a 911 engine and while it is not a great thing to have happen, you can get away without fixing them for a while ....

They will need to be replaced eventually and unfortunately it's not a cheap exercise ...

Hope this helps ....

[Gsaps]

Thanks guys... seems any oil leak is a bad oil leak then

[tazzieman]

It might just be the oil return tubes , not a major job , unlike the triangle of death mentioned above (not a major job , except for the engine drop bit!)

[Peter M]

Gsaps,

Could I suggest you arrange for someone who knows these cars to have a look?  Otherwise spending a little money on having one of the many Porsche specialists do a PPI would also be a good investment too.

For the oil leak, they all leak eventually and the source of the leak will change over time, as you repair one, it will start to weep somewhere else, maybe the next day or some years ahead.  The oil leak could be from the oil tank being over full and the oil you see is just excess being blown out the breather.  ie cheap to fix.

Or it could be the famous triangle of death gasket, leaking crankcase through bolts, main seal,  etc.  etc.  The way to find the source requires a cycle of degreasing the suspected location, a short drive and then inspection with a torch.  This may take a few cycles to really hone in on the trouble spot. ie not so cheap to fix.

If it's not leaking much, you may choose to ignore it and only just degrease the engine just before it needs a pink slip each year.

However, if you can't arrange someone to look at it in time and you particularly like the car, I'd use the oil leak as a bargaining point and ask the owner to knock $1500 off the price.

As for the exhaust, is it the muffler that needs replacing or one of the headers or heater boxes?  Again doesn't really matter as it will cost roughly the same ballpark to fix.  Again I'd use this as a bargaining point and ask for another say $1500 off the price. 

Hope this helps

   

[Gsaps]

Thanks again (and thanks Peter)

the car is located in the UK, I've decided to look further afield as there's so little available in Oz

would a budget of 5k be enough to take care of most oil leaks do you reckon ?

i would definitely have a PPI done but I suspect that wouldn't be enough to diagnose the leak location

im not sure if the specifics of the exhaust replacement but was thinking 1-2 k for that

 

thanks again

[GUT]

My 930 triangle of death oil leak ended up being a not quite high enough crankcase breather hose. Tightened it good and proper and no more leak. That was a cheap fix but hard to get to - since I'm a contortionist in my spare time, it wasn't so bad.

Some time ago, my 3.2 'developed' an oil leak at a service and ended with pulling the engine and doing every bloody seal known to man and strangely took many many many hours. The less said about that one, the better. 

If you're replacing the exhaust, get SSI's and figure on a few $k. Or go stock and figure on a couple of $k to find a decent system and fit it.

I'd be wary of buying a Targa from the UK without eye-balling it. Make sure you choose carefully who does the PPI.

[Gsaps]

Apparently spent most of its life in Europe where apparently they don't salt the roads like the UK

always risky I guess but pickings are pretty slim over here

[James P]

Apparently spent most of its life in Europe where apparently they don't salt the roads like the UK

always risky I guess but pickings are pretty slim over here

Not that slim over here for a Targa.. whats your budget & what year are you after? a few 80's cars have come up for sale recently 

[Gsaps]

For the right one and ideally that's 3l or 3.2 and 80's is fine) I guess mid 50's is the budget

 

ive kept an eye on Carsales of course, I haven't found any other significant places to look and the ones on Carsales always seem to have something I don't like... being too fussy in the early days of the search maybe

[JD86]

Post up the car, no-one here will try gazump you on something in the UK.  I brought my 3.2 back from the UK but only because I owned it for a couple of years, knew it was a good one, strong engine, photo documented rust resto, blah , blah, etc.  I wouldn't buy one from the UK sight unseen remotely from Oz.  Even more risky considering it sounds you are not too familiar with these cars.  Also, a PPI is not necessarily 100% reliable.

Mid 50's should get you into a Targa here in Oz.

If you're dead set on this UK Targa if you post up the link you can be guaranteed the PFA brotherhood will do their best to spot issues, in your best interest of course

[GUT]

Put the feelers out and I would have thought you might uncover something in that range here

[Gsaps]

Thanks guys ?

 

Gotten to the the stage where any mention of a problem (however seemingly small) and I'm expecting a full engine rebuild ?

[Tit]

I remember when I was shopping for the 911, any oil leaks freaked me out. Mainly because I didn't understand how hard or easy fixing the leaks would be.

Now, With more knowledge they are less scary.  Point being, do your homework and get some help from someone with experience in these cars.  Hopefully it should take the mystery out of what you're looking at.

Btw, does the exhaust need replacing because of rust? That might not be a good sign...

[Mike D'Silva]

I'd be running a mile.

[sandy468]

I'd be running a mile.

+ 100miles

[Gsaps]

I'm buying an MG instead ?

[michel]

50k budget number is still not a clear indicator  of type of car you are seeking.

typically  3.0-3.2 litre cars in good fettle are more, significantly. In addition the immediate must fix post purchase budget needs to be considered.

instead , if your budget for first year ownership is say 60-65k purchase included, then the discussion is a little different. 

Most will say spend more if possible and most have said walk away from the UK targa in the U.K. Sounds like good advice, 

if though you are handy or have mates to helP who are, dive in deep ...oil leaks as tit says aren't necessarily a major issue , just take time and eventually some money. Engine drop? Easy with a bit of help. Even oil returnntubes can be fixed easily with using collapsible.

BUT get a PPI or buy very cheap.... on the example you mentioned I'd knock more than 1500 for the oil leaks. 

Plenty cars in oz in your price bracket, targa and coupe . Just don't expect a minter, do expect to spend more than 5k in basic replacement and maintenance in the first year.

id also suggest do not discount a 2.7.

To answer your first question - Exhaust costs.

Normally I'd  say ask a supplier -  though normally I don't write long posts. - as exhaust preferences are as exhaustive as oil preferences... but 

dansk S/s exhaust 700-1500 depending on new s/hand 

dansk SSI 's as you might as well back date exhaust and get a bit more approx 2k? Ask Stan Adler  performance 9 

Oil leak fixes? Cost? Depends on the issue and whether you do any of the work. With that I say get an Indy porsche mechanic to look at it 

Last thing ... google is your friend  

 

cheers 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike D'Silva]

sounds like he is off to the MG forums now...

[Gsaps]

Thanks for that very helpful reply Michael, I might have to look at the budget and try and stretch that a little 

as for doing any work myself, I like to learn new skills but have never ventured into the automotive repairs world 

I might get "Wayne's book" and have a little read 

[Dreamr]

Don't be too put off by all of this .... I personally have bought 2 cars sight unseen and while there have been some issues, there's nothing that has been too bad that they are off the road .... Sometimes you just have to take a leap and have faith that the parachute will open ..   

Just my 2c worth .... I would steer clear of buying a UK car unless it has been here for most of its life ... there are some that will agree and some that will disagree with this view .... it's just mine.

[michel]

@SimonN price check 

@Gsaps where are you located? Best thing is meet up with some  local lads who know their way around the engine bay a bit. Have a squiz have a drive get on a creeper and get under one ... books are essential .. touching one more so ... 

support your  can do thinking 

 

cheers 

[Gsaps]

I'm on the NSW central coast Michel, another very kind member has offered to let me experience his 911 so of course as luck would have it, it hasn't stopped raining in NSW for about 3 weeks so as soon as the planets align I'll be taking him up on his kind offer. He has a LHD as well so I can get a feel for that 

[Coastr]

I'd be running a mile.

I'd be staying in oz and leaving it 12,000 miles away

if it's your first and you aren't too familiar then I wouldn't buy sight unseen from the UK, unless you have a trusted knowledgeable local person to check for me.  There are more horror stories of UK purchases than happy endings.

if you're not stuck on a on oz delivered car (obviously) there are imported targas that pop up here pretty regularly.  Targa + import = discount, so you're not far off with your budget.

exhaust replacement probably from corrosion.  Mine is 35 years old and still in perfect condition.

not true that Europeans don't salt roads, they do.  Anyway, only needs one winter in the UK and that is enough.

oil leaks can be from anywhere - I wouldn't assume just a simple fix like return tubes.  Could be anything up to and including broken head studs or busted oil cooler.

if you need a cold shower have a read of this thread: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/798211-porsche-approved-rusty-carrera-3-2-a.html

 

its about a car that had a Porsche dealer PPI.

find one local - they are around.

Oh, and don't get scared and go MG.  you're in the right track and are goingIn the right way.