86 carrera oil leak help

[pjm1]

Hi guys,
I bought our first porsche, an 86 carrera, about a year ago and have been really excited to finally have a porsche after 50 years of wanting one. For the first 7 or 8 months, the car had a very small oil leak - maybe a drop or two a week, I'd say. Then we gave the car an oil change. I don't know if it's related or not (i've read on the forum that sometimes new types of oil in old porsches can cause oil leaks) but since about that time the pace of the leak has increased quite a bit to now many drops a day. I don't know what kind of oil was in the car before but the oil we put in was liqui moly classic that pelican recommends for this car. I've attached pictures of both valve covers where you can see either an active oil drip (below the driver side valve cover)




or a lot of oily buildup on the passenger side near the valve cover.


The passenger leak is dripping onto the exhaust manifold and i'm worried about this as a fire hazard. I wanted to ask you guys:
1) I know it's hard to say, but do you think replacing the valve cover gaskets would potentially solve this problem? I'm pretty inexperienced but i think this is something i could potentially do. And i'd love to try if it seems like that could be a solution.
2) One of the oil return tubes looks covered in oil (in the 2nd picture). Could replacing that be helpful if that might be the source? How much harder is that? I see in Wayne's book, it may be doable for a relative beginner like me.
3) If those aren't the issue, do you guys have any other suggestions?
4) How dangerous is it, in terms of fire, to have that right side valve cover drip onto the exhaust manifold? Am i being alarmist to be concerned?
Thank you very much for your help and advice! I really appreciate it.
Pete

[Hotshot]

Maybe you went with a thinner oil and that could do it.

I’d wipe it all down with break clear and trace it. Oil tubes are a culprit. Easy enough to do.

Also, gaskets can leak if tightened too much. One thing to consider, you don’t need a lot of torque, you may need a small torque wrench. I think it’s 8ft/lbs, but don’t quote me for the VLS LE cover nuts.

I have and 86 also and just did a valve job. I used the Porsche set, although made buy Rienz, I wanted the plated nuts. I’ve never had an issue with them. Our 86 covers don’t warp as easily as the Mag ones of the 70s.

[911obgyn]

Once you clean it up and fix the leaks you will be more in tune with your car. You should get the tools and do a valve adjustment while you have the covers off. Oil return tubes can get new o rings if they are the collapsable type. Use silicone grease on the o rings to make them easier to install. Plenty of threads here and the 101 book will tell you how. Rubber gloves, mineral spirits And goggles are your freinds.

[proporsche]

most likely it is your oil return tubes

Ivan

[cabmandone]

I'd start with checking the fasteners on the valve covers. They should be about 6 foot pounds. But it looks like your drips are directly below your oil return tubes which would indicate a leak there as Ivan pointed out. Changing the return tubes isn't "that" difficult. It's just a matter of being able to get the two piece tubes in place properly and extended. There's a hose clamp trick that helps get them extended fully.

[kevbo]

Agree, clean it up first. I used oil dye and a black light to illuminate things. Easier to trace.

[pjm1]

Thanks a lot, guys! I really appreciate the help. I'll clean things up, try a valve adjustment, check the torque on the valve covers, and take a shot at replacing the oil return tubes. Excited to give this a go! Thanks, again.

[gomezoneill]

Oil return tubes are easy. If the solid ones are installed use a hacksaw blade holder and saw them off. Replace with expandable style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXGjWLtKhxI

[proporsche]

gamezo... rather not saw, the metal shaving could ended up in the engine..All you need is..large screwdriver and pry it down they bend easily...

Ivan

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by proporsche

most likely it is your oil return tubes

Ivan

This. The leak is right at the tube.

Degrease and clean everything first, then drain the oil. They make two part oil return tubes. It is not a real hard fix. Do both side "while you are in the there" because if one is leaking the other will start leaking soon.

[pjm1]

Thanks, guys! That's great advice!

[pjm1]

Hi guys,
It's taken a little time to get this done but, with your helpful advice, we were able to replace the oil return tubes and the lower valve cover gaskets (as well as do a valve adjustment along the way) and we now have no oil leaks for the first time ever! Just wanted to say thank you very much - we really appreciate the forum's help!

[Cevan]

I had a similar oil leak on my 86 and determined it was the oil return tubes. Replaced all four with the exhaust in place using the band clamp method. Wasn't too bad.

[PabloX]

I agree with the others on the return tubes as the likely culprit. On my 86, I ended up taking the headers off to do the job and it made it much easier, but of course then you're taking the headers off and all that goes with that. Luckily I didn't have any real problems with the nuts and studs but I heated them all after using penetrating oil every day for a week prior.

One other thing I did which helped a lot with oil leaks is change from Mobil 1 15W-50 to Brad Penn 20W-50.

[Jdub]

^ big thumbs up to the Brad Penn 20 / 50. I use their products across the board on older motorcycles and my 911 and it has never disappointed.