987 Boxster oil leak, ideas?

[masraum]

I just ran and got lunch. On the way back, I was running a little fast (about 4k-4.5k rpms). I'd thought things looked a little odd in my rear view a couple of times. When I got home and stopped, I instantly smelled oil smoke and noticed it mostly from the passenger's side. When I look around/through the pass's side rear wheel, I see some oil on the inside of the wheel well and most of the suspension and area under the engine.

So, I seem to have developed a leak on the passenger's side of the car that's dripping down. I "checked" (electronic only) the oil, and it says that it's full. I did have an oil change done not too long ago (<500 miles).

I'm working so I don't have time to crawl under the car.

[Deschodt]

Hopefully it's just something they did at the change, loose oil filter cover or something..

edit: It's been a while since my 987 but I think there is a seal on the plastic casing, betcha it's damaged, old, or as I said not tight enough. fingers crossed for you !

[Norm K]

I've never worked on a Boxster, but might the Air Oil Separator be a possible culprit?

_

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Norm K

I've never worked on a Boxster, but might the Air Oil Separator be a possible culprit?

_

that was my first thought. It seems that usually the smoke from a failed AOS comes from the tailpipe (oil being sucked into the intake), and often results in bad idle and various CEL.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Hopefully it's just something they did at the change, loose filter cover or something..

Yes, I'm hoping it's something obvious and simple.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by masraum

Yes, I'm hoping it's something obvious and simple.

Years ago when my Carrera was on jack stands for an extended period, I just finger tightened the oil filter ... than forgot about it.
Backing out months later... I had an Exxon Valdez moment....

It was obvious and simple that....

I wuz stoopid

[masraum]

I did find a post on a site that the AOS can leak at the bellows which is on the passenger's side of the car.

[porsche tech]

But as mentioned, the bad separated generally causes smoke from the tail pipe most commonly. Spark plug tube seals were a common culprit too.

[LWJ]

What about something like the gasket on the filter stuck on the car and now there are two gaskets? Had that happen on a Honda once.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by porsche tech

But as mentioned, the bad separated generally causes smoke from the tail pipe most commonly.

I may have done a hard run the other day (6k rpm in 6th), and had a pretty good puff of smoke the next time that I started the car. But I think that's the only time that I've noticed smoke from the tail pipe.

Can you think of anything on the passenger's side of the engine that would leak after some hard driving?

I haven't done any wrenching on this car since I got it, so I'm unfamiliar with the layout of everything "under the hood".

[masraum]

Originally Posted by LWJ

What about something like the gasket on the filter stuck on the car and now there are two gaskets? Had that happen on a Honda once.

I'm not sure how likely that is since this isn't a spin-on filter

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by KC911

Years ago when my Carrera was on jack stands for an extended period, I just finger tightened the oil filter ... than forgot about it.
Backing out months later... I had an Exxon Valdez moment....

It was obvious and simple that....

I wuz stoopid

At least you had a oil filter on. I rebuilt a 69 Mustang and after changing the break in oil, I fired up the car and oil was going everywhere.

I forgot to install the oil filter.

I wuz stoopider

[herr_oberst]

Forgot to put the oil cap on after an oil change, took a 400 mile trip. Didn't lose much oil, but the oil I lost covered the engine bay in a delightful pattern.

That was pretty stupid.

[Nickshu]

AOS is at that corner of the engine.

[porsche tech]

Again, spark plug tube seals (o rings) were a pretty common oil leak on Boxster and 996.

[masraum]

Thanks folks.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by porsche tech

Again, spark plug tube seals (o rings) were a pretty common oil leak on Boxster and 996.

Yup. I just replaced them on my 2002 Boxster S. They were leaking enough to goober up the coil packs, and I started getting a "cylinder 6 misfire" code. This is a pretty easy job, really, at least if you have access to a lift. Wayne's 101 Projects for the Boxster was invaluable.

As an aside, having grown up on air cooled cars, I had some pretty good anxiety about having to learn to work on this thing when I first bought it seven or eight years ago. It's really not bad at all. If you have a lift (which I do not, but several buddies do).

[David]

Oil filter housing can be hard to tighten. Was oil change at a porsche shop?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by David

Oil filter housing can be hard to tighten. Was oil change at a porsche shop?

Yep, Einar's garage.

[matthewb0051]

My 996 has been in my garage for over 12 months waiting for me to do the AOS. Every time I get going some other project on our fleet of Land Rovers comes up. Had to do head gaskets on daughter's Disco 2 last summer.

I can certainly empathize. Good Luck!