Do you have an oil leak? / Decent garage near Luton?!

Hi all. We have just bought a 1998 996 3.4 tiptronic with 40,000m. It has only covered 3000m in the last three years and has duly been serviced once per year by the same garage. It was serviced in January 09 and before purchase I spoke to the garage owner and quizzed him about the car. He gave it a clean bill of health. I have noticed that it leaves a small (about the size of the yolk in a fried egg) oil deposit in the garage after use. This seems to come from the left hand side of the car (viewed from rear) roughly level with the rear wheel. I have heard that slight oil leaks can be a part of 911 ownership as they advance in years and that it isn't neccesarily anything to worry about....Any ideas? If the likely answer's RMS is it OK to leave it or will I be doing harm by not having it sorted? Which brings me to the second subject: I'd like to get it checked out but don't want to re-mortgage - does anyone know of any helpful independent garages near Luton / Hitchin? All ideas gratefully received.....Thanks, Dave

It doesn't sound like RMS to me - that would drip in the centre of the engine. It might be a leak from the timing chain tensioner - look for a large nut on a housing on the left hand underside. It's fairly prominent. It's a cheap fix at an indy. Are RPM at Cheddington close to you? Promax in MK?

JZMachtech in Kings Langley?

Thanks chaps. None of the places you both mention are more than 30 miles from us. Have either of you used them and are they down to earth as it were? Not too keen on the main dealer 'experience'......

Dave, I can recommend JZM and they wont rip you off. In fact you can get them to give you a verbal quote before proceeding. Good advice from the other members 8) Good luck. Ray :thumb:

I can vouch for JZM - a straightforward service but I came away with a very positive impression that these folks know 911's inside out and they are straight up to boot. I shall be going back next time any mechanical work needs doing which is the best recommendation I can offer. Peter

Although JZM are probably one of the best indies in the country, they always strike me as being one of the most expensive, don't you think?

Yes richard, but only 60% of OPC Ray :bandit:

More like 75-90%. Here's a few comparisons. Menu Prices including VAT 12000 Minor: OPC - £362 JZM - £271 RPM - £212 Promax - £195 Northway - £179 Wrightune - £179 24000 Major: OPC - £538 JZM - £490 RPM - £441 Promax - £313 Northway - £305 Wrightune - £305

Give RPM near Tring a try. Look past the state of the premises as they have a good reputation.

Thanks for all your help fellas. Had a chat with Andy at Promax, MK. He seems a very nice chap and I'm starting from scratch finding decent Porsche people so I may as well start with him! So, found a reputable mechanic, now I'll cross my fingers for a not-too painful diagnosis!

Richard, who have you used and could recommend? Ray :?:

I used JZ Machtech last week and they were a fair bit cheaper than OPC and for my first expereince with my still quite new (to me) 996 I was more than happy. It was for a new radiator and was £480 all-in (inc vat) Sounds like there might be better value indies for servicing but you have to factor the cost in time and effort to get there om a work day. Mind you I want Wrigthtune to turn on the MPG thing on the OBC so might be worth a trip out there anyway

I'm totally biased I'm afraid. Tony Wright (Wrightune) and I have been the best of friends for over 35 years, and I wouldn't take it anywhere else. Having said that, my unbiased side says that he is one of the most knowledgeable Porsche mechanics around - and I mean a proper old-school mechanic.

Big thumbs up for Andy and all at ProMax... They've looked after my car for the last 2 years and have been brilliant. They will always advise what needs doing and what can wait (and tell you what to look out for in that case). When I booked my car in for a 96k service, they noticed that the last service was a 24k (got out of kilter somewhere in the past), so they just did the 96k items on top of the scheduled minor service - saving me about £300 compared to what I was expecting to have to spend :thumbs: They collect and return my car and even bring back all the bits they've replaced in a box in case I want them. Never tried Wrightune, but have only ever heard good things about them.