1988 911 3.2 Engine Oil Leaks

[DHS911]

I recently had the Top End rebuilt and resealed on my 1988 3.2 911 as a result of a broken head stud issue. It was rebuilt by a "Go To" one owner shop with a lot of years experience with 1970's and 1980"s 911's. There have always been small leaks on the car, but after the rebuild I immediately started smelling oil burning when running. The oil leaks, while not a lot of drips, are on both sides of the engine when the car is setting still at idle. After 3 trips back to check out, the Tech says it probably is the Rocker Shafts leaking. He tried to put new O'rings on the shafts, but still leaking. He is starting to throw up his hands and say there is nothing he can do about the leaks. Any Ideas ???

[chrisbruck]

Funny, mine did the same thing from a high end shop as well. Leaked slightly before the top end, leaked a little more after. Pretty confident mine is the rocker shafts as well. I discussed with them and I chose to let it be. Seemed somewhat common when the rocker shafts are removed and reassembled and mine don't have the seals. More of a minor nuisance on my part and not a huge leak.

[Trakrat]

Where is the leak coming from?

probably just a nut somewhere that wasn't torqued down properly.

[Flat6pac]

I have a hard time imagining why a shop would not use the seals on the shafts.
They are about $100 for full set to keep the aggravation factor down.
The next thing in the area is steel rocker shafts to expand into aluminum housing.
Factory spec is good only for the first time assembly then the aluminum is distorted and needs more torque to seal, hence the rocker seals.
You also have to check on lateral movement of the shafts.
Bruce

[chrisbruck]

That's exactly what they told me too... the second time you put back together, sometimes the rocker shafts fit snug, other times not quite. I was too excited to have my car back to worry about it and have them go back in a add the seals.

[911pcars]

Is the leak due to a rocker arm lube path? Have you confirmed? If so, address that issue.

While the rocker shaft seals provide added confidence, notice that the factory assembled leakless engines without them.

Oil can leak out of a 911 engine through a myriad of passages. Any leak on top will find oil below.

[Nick Triesch]

If the mechanic cannot fix the leaks after spending thousands, I would ask for some money back. The bottom line is a 3.2 should never leak. In fact, it is one of the most leak free motors Porsche has ever built !! The top Porsche mechanics on this site will agree with me.

[Arne2]

I agree with Nick. I bought my former 3.2 Carrera with 40k on the top end rebuild. Sold it 7 years and 20k later, never leaked a drop the entire time, other than once after about 10k when a pressure switch failed. Replaced the switch, drove it leak-free for another 10k.

Now my current mag-case 2.4, that's another story...

[jlex]

If I had a top end done on my currently leak-free '88 and it leaked afterwards, I wouldn't be happy. Something about a leaky engine really bothers me... have even managed to keep my '70 VW bug leak free. Get it repaired properly now or it'll bother you later. The original shop should do something about it.

[dannobee]

One of the best ways to diagnose oil leaks is to add fluorescent dye to the oil, run it awhile, then check with a black light. Any new leaks will have a yellow streak pinpointing the source.

The kits are cheap, and it really aids in the diagnosis.

[stlrj]

My 87 leaks on the left side so I replaced the problematic aluminum oil return tubes on that side and it still leaks. My new rocker shaft seals have been sitting on my work bench for two years now since I know what a pain it is. Meanwhile, I placed a drip pan under and try not to obsess over it.

Cheers,

Joe
87 Carrera