911 SC Oil Leak Question Recently in Pano

[Thorshammer]

While I normally enjoy the technical advice given by the technical advisors that write for Panorama, the response to this was unacceptable.

The question was: I have an oil leak somewhere near the oil tank on a 911 SC track car. While a couple of ideas were given in the response, no method of proper troubleshooting was suggested. So here it goes:

Check the breather hose for condition, make sure the clamps being used are tightening evenly around the hose.

Clean the area around the filter housing with brake clean or whatever degreaser you like until you are sure all of the oil has been removed.

Apply a coat of spray on foot powder and allow it to dry. Start up and idle the engine checking for a brown stripe, or indication that oil is wicking. If none when the engine is hot, take a short test drive. recheck. The foot powder will draw the oil and provide a contrast to see where it is originating. You may see small spots and you have to determine if this is porosity or spray. But the leak will show up as a line or significant spot.

Method 2:

Buy a leak detector kit dump the dye in and use a black light to find the leak....

Good Luck,



Erik Madsen
Riva Ridge Motorsport

[4sd911]

Where is the oil leaking? From inside the engine compartment or under the quarter panel? If it is inside the engine compartment then there are 2 hoses the oil cap or the filter, unless the tank has a hole in it.

[Thorshammer]

This was not my car. The question was printed in Panorama Magazine, and the response by the technical guy provided some direction, but I thought I would discuss here the proper way (or at least a proven method) for finding oil leaks.

Far too may times, diagnosis is made by historical data, but the knowledge of how to properly diagnose is never discussed.

Tune in next month when I tell people how to properly check spark.....LOL


Erik

[fredmeister]

Half the answers on Pano are inaccurate or outdated. I dont know why these so called technical gurus have the job sometimes. Like anything else take it as advice with sketicism and draw your own conclusions based on engineering and why things work mechanically.
To find a leak first you have to clean the area spotless before running the engine and getting pressure in the oil system while you watch for the source to start dripping. It aint always easy.