Oil Leak

Aham93 · Aham93's Garage

My 2001 Boxster 2.7 runs and drives nearly perfect. 88k miles and all is well. I LOVE IT! Recently when it has been driven with some vigor (not a grocery store trip) I get about 7 or 8 drops of oil near the passenger rear tire about 8 inches in. Then it stops. I have no smoke, I have no running issues.. In fact I think it runs and performs like new. Should I worry or just watch it for now? Thanks for listening!!

sceaj · 10-19-2018, 06:52 PM

Can you jack up the car and see where it is coming from on engine/trans? My first guess is a rear main seal (RMS) in which case the drops would be coming from one of the drain openings where the transmission mates to the engine. You would probably be able to see "wet" surfaces if you shine a flashlight in the opening. If that is what you find and it is a manual trans, and you haven't replaced the clutch you might consider doing that now in which case they can kill 2 birds with 1 stone while the tranny is out.

If it is the RMS, it shouldn't be super urgent, but it will only get worse.

Aham93 · Aham93's Garage

Thanks, I appreciate the advise. I'll check that all out, however it appears the leak has stopped. I will still stay on it and let you know what I find. THANKS!

Sandia · 10-24-2018, 12:01 PM

Hot oil smell? Another possibility is that the plastic sparkplug tubes are leaking. Often the bits of oil will find the way onto the exhaust, hence the smell.
You may need to get under and clean things off so you get an accurate view of where the oil is coming from.
I, too, have an 01 with 88K. Great car.

Aham93 · Aham93's Garage

Thanks Sandia. I absolutely love my 01. Best car I've owned. I did some follow up and was told it may not be oil but Trans fluid seeping when the tranny is hot. Since my post the leak has stopped. ill keep you informed! Thanks

BYprodriver · BYprodriver's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by sceaj

Can you jack up the car and see where it is coming from on engine/trans? My first guess is a rear main seal (RMS) in which case the drops would be coming from one of the drain openings where the transmission mates to the engine. You would probably be able to see "wet" surfaces if you shine a flashlight in the opening. If that is what you find and it is a manual trans, and you haven't replaced the clutch you might consider doing that now in which case they can kill 2 birds with 1 stone while the tranny is out.

If it is the RMS, it shouldn't be super urgent, but it will only get worse.

RMS or IMS oil leaks go straight down to the center of the ground below the bellhousing.

sea · sea's Garage

My understanding is that an IMS bearing flange leak is easily mistaken for being a RMS leak. So if you do suspect an RMS leak its better to err on the side of caution, assume its an IMS problem and take it in to be looked at

husker boxster · husker boxster's Garage

IMS and RMS leaks would be near the center of the car, where the engine and trans meet. I would ask the OP if he happened to just fill with oil and spilled some as the location described sounds like where the oil overfill dump comes out. But I don't expect an answer since this is a 6mo old thread.