Weird Oil Leak - Help!

[Dan Owens]

Okay P Guys,

I need some opinions, preferrably about my oil leak problem. That is unless they're really funny.

I have an intermittant leak in my right side cam housing cover around the oil line connection somewhere. I've already swapped the oil line and I've also swapped the washer under the banjo fitting. I've check the housing cover and can't find any cracks.

The weird part comes in because the leak only seems to happen when it's above 90 degrees outside and the car is sitting cold. The leak does not happen when the car is running or even when the car is hot, running or not. Every time the outside temp hits 90 and above and the car is just sitting cold it springs a leak and I do mean leak, like several oz at a time. It's almost like the tensioner is pushing the oil out around the connection with the banjo fitting and washer. I'm stumped completely as I said because that's the only time it happens. It's done it now for two summers.

Okay let the comments or suggestions fly.

[Dan Owens]

What gives guys, I'm 26 reads into this and not even one smart ass remark from anyone?

[wholberg]

Originally posted by Dan Owens
What gives guys, I'm 26 reads into this and not even one smart ass remark from anyone?

OK, I don't have a clue what's causing it. Hope that helps!

[Scott R]

Sounds like the o-ring between the cover and the tensioner.

[Gasman59]

Dan,

Mine has a similar anomaly which I think is related to the oil tank draining back into the crankcase and leaking out of the valve cover gasket when warm enough to be thin enough.
No leaks while running but appears after sitting cold for a few days.
Maybe a timing case gasket is marginal?
Ron
70 911E Targa

[Dan Owens]

Wholberg,

See all it takes is one reply with no help and the gates open up. Thanks for getting this rolling.

Scott R, That inside O ring is what I'm thinking is related although I can't for the life of me figure out why it doesn't leak all the time or at least when the engine is running and hot?


Gasman, I agree I think the tanks draining back but I thought it would go to the crankcase not to the chain house cover. Maybe I'm wrong here but I am definitely confused.

[Scott R]

I would have just said that the cover was expanding when it gets hot, however you would think it would do when the engine was warm as well, in fact worse.

[Elu]

Your car appears to be ill. Vomiting from lack of attention possibly. If it works fine when you drive it...maybe you should just keep driving.

Dogh!...I hate the unknowns. Sorry I am no help at all.

[RoninLB]

did you check rocker arm shafts for leaks ?

[tshih]

The reason why it leaks when engine is cold and been sitting that way is the sump is dry when engine is running. The cause of a leak is obviously a bad seal in that area which leaks only when oil bhas acculmulated in that part of the engine after draining in from the reservoir tank.

[Dan Owens]

Ronin,

It has new rocker arm shaft seals two years ago. They seem fine it's just coming out of the Cam housing cover around the oil line banjo fitting connection, but only if it's over 90 outside and the cars been sitting. Never leaks when running or even afterward while it's still hot. Again only when the temp outside gets above 90 degrees, that's what's so baffling to me. It's like once the temp outside hits 90 the tensioner on that side pukes out oil through the connection with the oil line??? I'm really stumped.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Dan Owens

temp outside hits 90 the tensioner on that side pukes out oil through the connection with the oil line??? I'm really stumped.

ok.. the oil line has a brass ball around the feed line, under the tightning nut, that seals the line to the tensioner. If overtightned or reused a few times it might fail to seal the tensioner oil psi. as the tensioner leaks down after engine shut off. If mine I'd try a little bit of tightning, just a itty bitty bit of tightning. Like if you had a nut cracker and was using torque to crack a walnut. They can be easily be over tightened. If you are sure it's the coupling and tightning doesn't work I'd get a new line. Those lines are vulnerable to engine and road vibration damage. The original factory install eventually went to using a small bracket to prevent the damage. If you don't have the feed line bracket get them for both sides with both new feed lines as the lines slowly get beat without them. The lines and brackets are only a few bucks.

There are different shape feed lines around. If you change the line confirm they match yours before beginning the install.

[RoninLB]

Woops

I mixed the upper fitting for the lower, sorry. The lower doesn't have the brass ball inside the coupling, the top one does.

[Gasman59]

Dan, Yes the cam chain housings do have some oil in them if the car sits. I know this first hand from not draining the crankcase before removing a cover. Made a bit of a mess.

[Ron.G]

Mine does the same exact thing and on the same side as yours. Never leaks when is running only after sitting a while.

I have'nt had a chance to fix it yet because I have my gas tank out right now but if I find the problem I'll post it here or PM you.

I'm betting that if I tighten the banjo fitting just a tad it might stop.
If not I'll try a new crush washer and if all else fails, the covers comming off for a new o-ring.
Hope you find it.

[Dan Owens]

Well guys I appreciate the input. No real resolution yet but hey I haven't lost ground either. The Oil line is new but still does it. The crush washer is new too. The thing that still baffles me is that this only leaks when the outside air temp reaches 90 or above and the car's been sitting. It's bone dry at all other times, just plain weird. I've got a new :used" cover that I'm cleaning up and a new gasket set including the inside O ring, crush washers and all. I'm replacing everything that's disposable and we'll see where this goes from here.