Oil Leak, Is my mechanic right? Options

[dmilzoff]

I have a 914-6 with a 3.0. It has been used 1-200 miles per year for the past 4 years and has had moderate oil drips. I accepted the drips in my garage since I only used 1 quart of oil each year. I want to track the car now and I just had major work ($$$) done including changing oil from 50 weight to 10-30 Mobil 1. Now I have more leaks than ever - the car used 2 quarts of oil during 1 day of AutoX. I cannot see any oil leaking. My mechanic says it may be oil leaking past the valve guides into the combusiton chambers - meaning major overhaul and major cost.
Would returning to a higher weight oil (synthetic) help or is the overhaul necessary? Suggestions? Help!!!!

[ChrisReale]

Synthetic oil doesnt start leaks, but it finds its way through the older seals. 2 quarts? Id say you have other issues.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
10w-30 is for Toyota's. If you are AXing, you might want to check out Mobil 1 15w-50.

If you are using that much oil, it eithe ris leaking like mad, which you would probably see, because 2 quarts is a hell of a lot of oil to loose, or its going into the combustion chamber and burning up. Id take it to a Porsche mechanic, and have the proper tests done to determine if your heads need to be re worked

[Lawrence]

Changing back to a different oil is a cheaper test than pulling the heads.

A leakdown and/or compression test might tell you if you have issues with rings.

-Rusty

[campbellcj]

Ouch, I feel your pain.

If it actually burned 2qts of oil in 1 day, you probably would have noticed some significant smoking. A leak of 2qts obviously would be nearly impossible to miss. Most leaks that look "bad" on your garage floor are really just a few ounces (or less).

This may be a long shot -- but if you have a front oil cooler, and they refilled the oil without allowing for the extra oil line & cooler volume, that could be at least 2 qts. On my car I had to add approx 2qts once the oil thermostat opened and the front cooler filled up. Just a thought.

[ChrisReale]

This may be a long shot -- but if you have a front oil cooler, and they refilled the oil without allowing for the extra oil line & cooler volume, that could be at least 2 qts. On my car I had to add approx 2qts once the oil thermostat opened and the front cooler filled up. Just a thought.

I actually considered this, but....if your mechanic knew what he was doing, this would have been taken into consideration. Does the car smoke?

[dmilzoff]

The car is not smoking. It's actually running great. I drove 75 miles to the AutoX and 75 back. I added 1 quart midway into the day because I notice lower than usual oil pressure and again when I returned home. The drips on the ground is only 1-2 ounces. I will do a leak down test but I think I will change the oil before I go any further. Thanx.