Job estimate question

Hi I know it’s an impossible question Just looking for a vague guesstimate, how much a specialist Indy would charge for an engine out job to replace a cylinder base gasket. Assuming depends on adding extra jobs while the engines out eg. Eg. Just wondering if it’s worth buying the car. Would 5-10k sound about right ? Thanks for any help

I'd go with your assessment there - and it depends on whether you want to do preventative stuff while its out too, some bits may not be ready to be done but while its out I would opt to swap some things to future proof if it was a keeper.

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Yep thanks for the quick reply, thought as much. Piece of string

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not only length................also thickness!!!!!

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A lot depends upon where in the country you are looking to have the job done. Indy labour rates in the South East are now £130 per hour at least. Others will be able to advise as to rates in other parts of the country.

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Thanks , I’m in the midlands. Looking at using cavendish in Nottingham

Is that 5 to 10 k for the car?

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For the repair

What car is it, the m96 engined cars don't have a cylinder base gasket, but the 993 and 964 and Mezger engined 996 cars do!

Just want to point out that you mentioned it's a head gasket you're wanting to get replaced? Assuming you're talking about getting this done on a 996, I feel I should point out that these cars pretty much never have head gasket issues. The symptoms that usually point to head gasket issues on other cars are normally a cracked head on 996s. It's a Turbo so ignore me

Closer to 5k o would say as dropping the engine and box is only a couple of hours labour if you have experience and a ramp But you opening yourself to not only while we're in there jobs but also age related essential s Thin end of the wedge!

Hi thanks for all the replies Diagnosis from a specialist in Bristol said it needs bank 1 base gasket ? (996 turbo)

Could be more expensive then Do you own the car?

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Currently, in dispute at the moment with a dealer. Weighing up options

Unless well under mkt price find another there are plenty around (,just my 2p,)

Well thats a big job requiring engine removal, strip all the stuff off the top of the engine, cylinderhead removed, pistons removed, cylinder casting removed, gasket replaced then cylinder casting refitted, pistons refitted, head and cam carrier refitted, timing set up, cylinder head cover refitted, then all the gubbins put back on top and reinstalled in the car. If its necessary to remove the turbos and exhaust which I think it will be, they can often have lots of corrosion which can eat time and money in parts. I'd say 10k at least! This could be offset somewhat if you use the opportunity to do some of the other jobs which Turbos often require, such as welding or pinning the coolant fittings and refurbishment of the turbos and turbo pipework and fixing, and renewing the rubber hoses and o rings on top of the engine. How bad is the leak, I've seen a few which have a leak on the base gasket but normally its just a misting which can be lived with?

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Thanks for that useful reply ! It’s a slight drip after a day of using the car, so not really somthing I’d want to live with. If it came in at under 10k I think it would be worth it but I guess there is no way of knowing and could be fair bit more

My stupid question….. is the dealer not prepared to do the job as part of the sale? Even if you pay more it might be beneficial in the long run. Keep an eye on the 996 turbo Facebook group you do get some nice cars come up

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I doubt you will get that job done properly for under 10k. You might get a lash-up job where no measurements are taken nor parts inspected / machined / replaced as required but you will probably end up with more leaks and issues that you have now. Do it properly or leave well alone.

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Cheers. It’s kind of trade sale deal So just trying to work out an approx price for such a job. Would make it easier for turbo/exhaust changes in the future I guess

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Thanks, is it that involved then to change a cylinder base gasket? Not just like doing a head gasket job

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There is a LOT of pulling apart to get to the cylinder base gaskets on a TT or any Mezger engine. All to get to parts 7 and 8 below. This is a GT3 engine not TT but similar format but without turbos - takes to episode 3 to see the base gaskets then goes on for a further few videos about all the checking and measuring required before you even start putting it back together. A lot of work.

Massively invasive job that you'd only want an expert to be doing which means top rates. I could see that costing £15k after you've refurbed/replaced turbos and lots of other parts.

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Thanks for all the useful info everyone ! After cleaning it and running for 5 mins it looks to be coming from the end covers ? Timing chain covers are they ?

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I cant see the oil leaks - can you get a better pic?

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Sorry it’s hard work with computers and pictures on phones. It’s above the rubber seal you can see on the water pipe. Looks to be a metal gasket

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I think the arrow is pointing to the chain housing, they are bolted to the crankcase so you should be able to tighten the bolts. If you're lucky that might stop the leak!

If tightening the chain housing bolts doesn't work. Have a look at the second half of Martins next vid. It looks like you could change the chain housing gasket without removing the head, but the cams and cam carrier need to come off. Also the waterpump housing needs to come off, on a Turbo this can be a big problem because the turbo oil lines will be seized into it. Also that tricky bolt mentioned in the vid may require the head to come off to get to it!

Thanks for that il have a watch

As above chain case gaskets. Assuming it’s a slight leak I’d probably leave it and monitor and sort it if / when engine has to come out for another reason.