Oil Leak Question - Another Question?

DustinJ · 07-30-2003, 06:35 PM

Thanks for everyone's input on my last question I posted. I have spent many hours under this car watching and waiting for the geyser to start. Finally, I had my wife get in the car and rev it up to about 3k RPM (she had a troublesome gleam in her eye). With the engine at 3k I finally spotted where I believe the oil leak is originating from. It appears to be above the starter on the passenger side of the engine where it mates to the transmission. My repair manual is on the way, but I was wondering if anyone might know what would leak up there.

Thanks for Your Help,
Dustin J
Louisville, Kentucky

1982 911 SC

Jim Sims · 07-30-2003, 07:25 PM

Check a couple of items and report back. Remove air filter cover and air filter, then look for oil on the bottom of the air box. With the engine warm (at operating temperature), idling and the car on a level surface where on the dipstick is the tank oil level? You may simply have too much oil in the engine/lube oil system. The air box drain drips where you report your oil leak. Is the oil leak originating from a plastic tube with a rubber tip on the bottom mounted on the forward engine sheet metal on the passenger side? Cheers, Jim

DustinJ · 07-30-2003, 07:48 PM

No oil in the airbox. The level is 1/2 between low and max, and I am topping it off. You have to be under the passenger side of the vehicle with your head beside the point where the transmission and engine mate. If you look up at this area you see what I would assume is the starter w/starter solenoid. The oil leak originates above and around this area, and leaks down the engine/transmission where they meet. If the thing didn't leak like the Exxon Valdeze and smoke, I'd let it go. As for now I have gotten rid of every mosquito in town.

Jim- Thanks for the pointer.

Dustin

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

Could be the breather cap seal, or breather hose connection to the cap, or oil pressure switch for the idiot light. Hard to get to. Instead from the bottom, get a light and mirror and check from the top with someone reving the engine. You may have to remove the A/C compressor, or the heater fan, to see anything in the back of the air box.

KFC911 · 07-31-2003, 04:43 AM

Dustin, When you say the oil is half-way between low and max (which is exactly where it should be), and then add that you were going to 'top it off', what do you mean? Are you sure you're not adding too much (i.e. what's the oil level after you top it off)?

Jim Sims · 07-31-2003, 05:25 AM

Adding to the possible leaking items in this area is the o-ring for the engine mounted thermostat. It also may be the rear main seal of the engine as speculated in an ealier thread but it also could be the breather cover gasket or breather hose given that you apparently have to "rev up" the engine to make it leak. Oil level should be kept at halfway between the marks with the engine idling at operating temperature and car on the level. Jim

GB83SC · 07-31-2003, 07:40 AM

Take a flashlight and a mirror look behind the engine at the top. There is the oil pressure switch one wire connected to the top and just to the right of it is the oil thermostat. You should feel oil if that area is the problem.

afterburn 549 · 07-31-2003, 07:58 AM

if all else fails one can do partial eng. drop [just undo the rear mounts]
then you can let the unit way down for a better peak.
also sprinkle a little talkum powder on the suspect a.o. and that will help highlight it.

DustinJ · 07-31-2003, 08:05 AM

Thanks for everyone's input. I am eagerly awaiting the manual from Pelican Parts. I am going to attempt the partial engine drop this coming weekend. I will post the outcome of the adventure when it is complete.

McDaniel · 07-31-2003, 08:19 AM

From one Ky guy to another. Nice to see you on the board, but
sorry to see you're having a problem. Let me know if I can be of
any help.

GB83SC · 07-31-2003, 09:04 AM

Check out this article.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_partial_engine_drop/911_partial_engine_drop.htm

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

If you do a partial engine drop, disconnect the transmission input shaft (Allen screw at shift coupler) before you let the rear down. Like: shift into first, loosen Allen screw, now shift into second, which lets the coupler slide away from the input shaft.