what is leaking here? (photos)

KobaltBlau · 02-12-2005, 08:24 PM

The oil return tube closest to this area was leaking a bit on the case end but this seems to be coming from a different area. There is a wet spot where the case halves come together (easy to see in photo) that may be from the return tube leak, but the flat spot on the oil line right below the engine oil cooler joint to the engine is freshly wet. The oil line is also somewhat wet around this area. It looks like there may have been a leak from up top (thermostat, etc) at some point, but all that is very dry now (as seen in 1st picture).

Thanks in advance, I'd be happy to provide any additional detail!

Andy

Shuie · 02-12-2005, 08:32 PM

Im betting on the oil cooler seals.

ipapilot · 02-12-2005, 08:35 PM

Could also be the oil temp sender on the top of the engine and then leaking down. You should be able to reach around to the back of the motor and check for oil...

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

You need to clean the engine really well and then observe it for a little while. Replace the sender (relatively cheap), but if I had to take a stab - Oil cooler seals...

afterburn 549 · 02-12-2005, 09:37 PM

sender or oil thermistat

smestas · smestas's Garage

Looks kind of similar to a leak that I had.
Source of Oil Leak

KobaltBlau · 02-13-2005, 12:23 AM

Thanks guys, I'm going to take some advice and replace my oil return tube seals, then clean the area well, and see if I can see any better. I think it's the oil cooler seals because it really doesn't look like the fresh stuff is coming from the top of the motor. no doubt something on top leaked at some point, but I think the current problem is the cooler. Handy that the cooler seals don't require a complete engine drop. I guess we'll see after I clean it up.

I'll check out that little window too, smestas.

Any other opinions are welcome!

Thanks much,

ipapilot · 02-13-2005, 06:45 AM

There are several things that can lead to leaks on the motor obviously...But, I'd start with the stuff you can get to more easily, like the oil cooler seals and return tubes. Then make my way to the thermostat o-ring and sender. Of course this assumes you can't get it narrowd down visually...

afterburn 549 · 02-13-2005, 08:03 AM

just do a partial eng. drop and do the ez stuff....you can allways do the cooler.......more dificult imo

KobaltBlau · 02-13-2005, 08:58 AM

Makes sense, Brian, thanks!

afterburn, isn't the cooler easier than the thermostat o-ring, sender, and breather stuff? This is a CIS motor.

afterburn 549 · 02-13-2005, 09:12 AM

I dono ...close......but I am thinking to hedge your bet,,I am beting on the stuff on top....the cooler is not too hard...just the tin around it on the back side as I recall

ipapilot · 02-13-2005, 09:50 AM

My guess is the stuff on top to, but our "vintage" cars can always use some new parts on them....
The cooler is tough to do in the car, but possible. Some of the nuts are hard to reach and you'll have to pull part of the tin as others mentioned. It is probably impossible to change anything on the top side without at least a partial drop. On a 3.2 maybe, but not a CIS car...

KobaltBlau · 02-13-2005, 10:32 AM

the bentley recommends a 3" or so drop to do the cooler seals, not much disconnection needed. Agreed on the top stuff.

Cheers!

KobaltBlau · 02-14-2005, 02:46 PM

I replaced the return tube seals and cleaned the area up as best I could without a pressure washer handy. I wanted to drive the car tomorrow but it's going to snow and I don't have snow tires on it

john walker's workshop · 02-14-2005, 03:01 PM

case halves tend to leak in that area after 100K or so. there always seems to be a drop there. top leaks usually run down both the front and rear sides of the cooler. yours looks dry in the front. could be something up there still. cooler seals don't tend to leak much. cylinder base gaskets can seep a bit, being they're just soft copper and they can get squeezed thinner over the years. the metal sleeve that's cast into the case can leak thru the little slot that you can see by the cooler. there's another one under the cooler. JB weld those slots. coolers leak, but when they do, it's a stream, or fast drip.

KobaltBlau · 02-14-2005, 03:10 PM

Thanks much john. it might be that my oil return tube leak just got around, I'll hope. I'll keep an eye on it.

Cheers!

Slider79SC · Slider79SC's Garage

Hi John,

Are these the two slots that you are talking about?

Thanks,

ipapilot · 02-15-2005, 02:24 PM

I think those are it.. My mechanic told me the same thing.

Vintage911Racer · 02:34 PM

I am guessing oil cooler seals as well.

I guess I should of read the last post or looked at the pictures. Seems you got it figured out.

Good luck to you.

MobileWrks · 02-15-2005, 04:36 PM

when you pull off the oil cooler,youll see the down pipe going along the case. when you replace the cooler seals,take some ruff sand paper and lay epoxy along that seam. there also is another area in there that youll be able to pin point. but if you all look at the pic close,you can see oil dripping through the oil cooler fins,which also can be the tower area (idiot light copper o ring, breather tube case gasket,thermo stat oring )

All can be done with out pulling the engine..(but some shops wont do that)

jimmy @ porsche mobile works (sac-vallejo-chico)