First a Drip, then a Stream

[legion]

So...I drove out to the west side of Illinois today to try (unsuccessfully) to help out a fellow 944 owner. My wife called me to tell me that there were a few drips of oil on my side of the garage.

I check the oil level, it's fine, but there is definately oil spatter all over the driver's side of the engine. I get home (watching the oil pressure like a hawk the whole way), park the truck. I put my drip pan underneat the truck. An hour later there is a puddle underneath the truck about six inches in diameter.

I can't tell exactly where the oil is coming from, but I had the oil pressure sensor replaced last week and it looks like it's coming from close to there....maybe from the pan gasket, maybe from the sensor itself.

Anyway, now I'm freaking out. I hope it's just a pan gasket. I'm worried about a cracked block. That would make my truck...that I still have another 1½ to pay off, essentially worthless....

[ubiquity0]

Originally posted by legion
I get home (watching the oil pressure like a hawk the whole way), park the truck. I put my drip pan underneat the truck. An hour later there is a puddle underneath the truck about six inches in diameter.

Sounds like someone swapped a 911 engine into your truck

[Jims5543]

Sometimes a new sensor will be faulty and leak. It is common in RX-7's. I would start there. Good luck!

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

sounds like what happens when your s-hose in a 911 blows off

[legion]

I decided to check to see if some oil spattered on the driver's side rotor. I reach my hand through the rim and around the rotor…except my fingers don't go around the rotor, they go through the vent, and a bunch of rusty chips fall out. Great, so I need new rotors too…

Well, as it happens, the leak was just a hole punched in the oil filter. That's the best news I've had all day.

I'm also saying that it was good luck overall, as I discovered the insides of my rotors were rusting BEFORE I hauled a trailer back from Tennessee. The shop just called and my truck has a brand-new set of forged rotors. They should hold up to towing just fine.

[dhoward]

I don't know why the inside of your rotors wouldn't rust....

[legion]

Yeah, but the steel was coming out in inch-long chunks just from touching it. It wasn't surface rust, it was complete disintegration.

[dhoward]

The '97?

[legion]

Yep.

[dhoward]

That sucks.
Prolly time for new rotors anyway, the way they make things anymore.