996 engine failure - oil in cylinder 4

[Peter-eolzm]

My 2002 996 C2 is poorly. On a trip to Cardiff from home near Oxford temperature gauge headed north, topped up coolant but on arrival in Cardiff big pool of liquid on floor as I parked. Topped up again but coming out of town grey smoke from engine and oil level warning. Pulled over. Some oil emerging from N/S exhaust. Got a tow to Porsche garage in Bristol who want to charge £1,000 just for telling me what's wrong. Report so far. "The coolant leak has been traced to a water pump leak.There is no evidence of water in the oil system, or oil in the water system so the 2 faults appear to be unrelated at this stage.The low oil pressure warning investigation has identified oil in cylinder 4 through the spark plug, we have also found silver filings (almost like glitter) in the oil filter and oil drained from the car. We cannot yet identify the source.We are currently at 2.5 hours of diagnostics at our standard rate of £130+VAT per hour, and it is at a point where we can carry on or where you can look at other alternatives.Our next step is to replace at least 4, ideally 6 spark plugs, and fill with fresh oil. We hope this might allow us to start the car to identify possible causes.We could perform the next diagnostics step and would require a further 3 hours, new spark plugs and fresh oil.Worst case scenario as it stands is an engine strip and rebuild. This job is a big one at 27 hours, plus any parts identified. The current investigation costs are £390, If you could confirm if you wish to go ahead with spark plugs, new oil, and further diagnosis at an estimated further cost of £700-£750." I would have thought that with an engine that's been around for 20 years this type of fault would be well-known. When I asked about likely cause, they replied "I have followed up with the technician regarding possible cause, without seeing the inside of the engine it is difficult to say, but could be wearing to an internal component. If this has been gradual wear it would support filings, until performing further testing and then potentially engine stripping it is tough to day.If the next stage of 3 hours, spark plugs, and fresh oil helps us perform some further system tests we may have more news if the engine turns over and allows us to read the engine systems while running." I'm really surprised it's going to cost £1,000 just to be told what's wrong with the engine. But clearly something fairly major has failed and I really don't know what to do next. Any comments or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.