left head leaking

Hello folks...., My 2000 996 C4 has developed an oil leak at the rear of the engine. The gasket is probably going south and let oil leaking drop by drop each time i use my car. I called my mechanic and he ask 20 hours/labor at $80.00/hour. the total rebuilt of both heads will cost $2500.00....what do you think folks... Any other parts to replace while i'm in there... I already bought a new AOS....what else.... I was also thinking about guide rail... Waiting for you comment. Thanks Robert

It's unlikely that your head gasket is the cause of the oil leak, but if you want/need to have the heads rebuilt & $2500 is the total parts & labor that's a good price.

Quotes source post: 8714820

Find another mechanic. While the head rebuild cost estimate is probably ballpark to want to rebuild the heads for a possible leak that is not even head gasket related is well find another mechanic. There are too many other sources of oil leaks in that general vicinity to blame the head gasket first. A good mechanic should be able to determine where the leak is coming from especially if it is that heavy. Just follow the clean area up to the source. If the source of the leak is still a bit up in the air, a mechanic can use an oil dye adding this to the engine and then send you out for a drive. When you return he'll put the car on a lift and with a black light look for the glow. This will tell him where the leak is coming from and then he can offer you a good idea of what the cost will be to fix the leak. Unless the head gasket is determined to be leaking or the engine is manifesting symptoms/behavior that point to the heads needing rebuilding the heads should not receive anything more than a good cleaning after the source of the oil leak is found and the leak fixed. Sincerely, Macster.

If there's oil around the head, the first candidate I would suspect would be leaking spark plug tubes. That costs a lot less than $2500 to fix.

Define "Rear" of the engine and which side is leaking. If by rear you mean the part towards the front of the car it could be RMS, IMS, if it is on the left side it could be the AOS either side could be spark plug tubes, , cam actuators, or... If "rear" is by your feet when you stand behind the car gazing into the engine bay it could be spark plug tubes, oil pump, cam actuators, or...

Pics....please..

here you will find some pics of the oil leak. Thanks

So guys...... what do do you think.... thanks

If i'm looking at it right.....straight above from that location is the AOS....it leaks and the bottom point before it drops to the ground is where you circled... My bet is AOS can you get a cam in between the arrow and sway bar on that last pic?

+1 again, AOS....

If those 3 small perimeter head bolts are not tightened properly or have somehow worked their way out that area of the chain box can leak - but I haven't read very many threads of this happening, if any. I read one thread where after the head was removed someone discovered a small pebble on the gasket sealing surface, which was the reason for the leak at the gasket. I agree on getting additional diagnosis before committing to pulling the heads. That's a big job to not get the diagnosis 100% spot on. If you do get have the heads removed, and if you have a lot of miles on the engine, consider having the heads sent to a machine shop for a valve job with new valve seals (cheap), cleaning, pressure test, measure tolerances, valves 3-way cut, etc. The cost should not be great. Perhaps 200 to 300 per head, if you offer to walk the heads from the repair shop to the machine shop (unless they'll do that for you and not pass on tremendous costs). If the $2500 includes a valve job, NEW HEAD BOLTS (required because they are single use - consider buying ARP studs which are re-usable), and NEW HEAD GASKET(S) that is a great price indeed! If it is for just one side that is not so great a price, but not out of the ballpark.

Hello folks.... Thanks for all and i think you are right.... I had a look at the engine this morning and the oil is seeping from the AOS on top....the oil drop from the AOS to the bottom of the engine....that is a good news just before vacation...i probably saved $2000.00...Wow...i will let you know when i'LL BE BACK. Thanks once again

congrats on the less expensive repair but please ask your shop how much to remove the head and re-seal...your $2k thoughts might be a tad off

Hi ! My mechanic, a Porsche specialist, said to rebuilt both heads took around 24 hours at 80.00/hour plus gasket sealant new head bolt= $2500.00 canadian money. This garage has probably one the best reputation in town and most of the mechanic who are working there were working for Porsche dealer before so you can trust them with no problem. Thanks again Robert