Newbie's ? - Oil Leak

DustinJ · 07-25-2003, 06:51 PM

I own a 1982 911 SC with 164,000 miles. The car has started to smoke after the engine heats up to operating temperatures. I have located the area of the oil leak, which appears to be between the transmission and engine. It leaks oil onto the exhaust where it goes from 1 to 3 pipes and then into the heat exchanger. This is my first Porsche, and I have owned it less than a month. If anyone can offer a suggestion as to my next step, I would be grateful.

Thanks,
Dustin
Louisville, Kentucky

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Rear oil seal is shot. Next time you have the engine apart or the transmission out replace the seal.

GB83SC · 07-25-2003, 06:58 PM

That area is most likely the main seal at the flywheel, thats the good news the bad news is the engine needs to come out to repair.
While the engine is out, time to check your:
Clutch
and replace the O-ring at the thermostat
pressure switch
replace the O-ring at the motor oil cooler
replace plugs
check intake hoses if puffy replace them.
Buy Waynes book on 101 projects it has all the information you will need.
Good luck,

DustinJ · 07-25-2003, 07:02 PM

Wow- you guys are fast. I was afraid you would say that. Thanks for the insight. I suppose my next move will be to hold out until I have enough money for a rebuild, while the engine is out.

Thanks for Your Help,
Dustin

GB83SC · 07:54 PM

Dustin,
I hope you know what a rebuilt cost? 8-10K
Keep your eye on that leak, because of the heat in that area keep a good fire extinguisher with you. Not likely but better safe than sorry.

Doug Zielke · 07-25-2003, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DustinJ
Wow- you guys are fast. ......

Yeah maybe, too fast.
These engines can leak from many places. And the fan can blow oil all over the place. Rear main seal leaks are not as common as, say, the thermostat o-ring (a notorious leaker).
You need to get under that motor and clean it off really well. Then start searching for the location of the leak(s) after a short run.

emarsh · 07-25-2003, 07:38 PM

Mine leaks a bit too. I've been thinking about trying some of the "old engine" oil that swells seals. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I don't suppose they have any "old engine racing oil."

Eric

yelcab1 · 07-25-2003, 07:46 PM

Mine leaked at first, but when I changed to Kendall 20W50 it stops for about 50,000 miles and then leaked again. That was when I pulled it and fixed it. It may not be the same for you, but you can try it.

GB83SC · 07-25-2003, 07:58 PM

Yelcab1,
Is that Kendall racing or straight Kendall 20-50?
I might try it on my 525I.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Not that hard, grab yourself a copy of 101 Projects: http://www.101projects.com

-Wayne

emarsh · 07-26-2003, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Not that hard, grab yourself a copy of 101 Projects: http://www.101projects.com

-Wayne

I've purchased a copy and have found it to be very helpful. However it appears that the motor has to come out for some of the common oil leaks, which I would say is a bit farther up the difficulty scale.

Eric

DustinJ · 07-26-2003, 05:43 AM

101 projects was the first thing I bought, even before the Porsche. I pressure washed the undercarriage, drove it for a while, and then parked it on the newspaper covered garage floor. The leak appears to be coming from midway up between the transmission and engine, and leaking down on to the beginning of the heat exchanger. The oil-return lines appear fine. From what I have read, the only easy (without removing the engine) oil leak fix would be the return lines. So, as for now, I will just call this my "undercarriage lubrication system," or my personal "Mosquito deleto" when it smokes.

I am going to try the Kendal 20W50 to see if that helps a bit. Has anyone tried those oil additives that are formulated for leaky seals?

Once Again - Thanks for Your Help,
Dustin

GB83SC · 07-26-2003, 05:58 AM

I would not recommend smake oils, try the Kendall. If you post your location there might be a few people in the area that would help you do the repair. Porsche people are pretty helpful.

Paul Crowther · 07-26-2003, 11:04 AM

Did the car sit for a long time before you bought it? I'm suspecting my 82 did, because I drive it a lot and my few minor leaks are slowly going away as the seals swell. (And I check the oil level, so I know it's NOT because I'm running out of oil !!!)

Paul

Groesbeck Hurricane · 07-27-2003, 11:08 AM

Before you get into re-build mode I would do a partial engine drop and replace:

the O-ring at the thermostat pressure switch
the O-ring at the motor oil cooler
check intake hoses if puffy replace them
the oil pressure switch
the seal at the oil breather

These will cost less money than you think and can be done in one long day. Read the tech article on a partial engine drop. Lots of disconnecting (don't skip a step) and you drain the oil. Do a complete oil change at the same time, it will save you more money!

If the motor is still leaking after these replacements then it could be the rear main seal and will require an engine drop.

CarreraS2 · 07-27-2003, 11:31 AM

The rear seal leak is easy to confirm with a fair degree of certainty - if you clean the area up really well and can confirm that it is coming from the little hole between the engine and trans it probably is the rear seal.

Not a terribly hard job. One time, I did it TWICE on the same car, on the same weekend! It's a good time to replace a lot of other seals/senders, etc.