To chase or not to chase.....an oil leak.

[pfyoung]

I would love some advice.

Project: 1982 SC with 147K. She has been rebuilt top and bottom and is a very strong runner. She is due for a service and I have an oil leak the mechanic found when the PPI was performed this summer. It is located at the flywheel.

During the upcoming "major" service is it worth it to chase this leak?

Thanks for your 2 cents....

[2.7RACER]

How much of a leak? A few drops after sitting over night? Or is it getting to be more as time goes by?
I wouldn't worry over a few drops. If it is a small puddle bigger than a quarter over night, I'd do something.
Your experienced Porsche mechanic, I'm sure will offer the best advice.

[ianc]

What SoCal said. Oil sender, t-stat o-ring, and breather gasket can look like a main seal, although with an SC, you're going to do at least a partial engine drop to fix.

If it is the main seal, it can ruin your clutch if you let it go long enough. Depends on whether you're doing the work yourself and how new the clutch is...

ianc

[pfyoung]

Thanks all....

1. The leak is a drop or two after shutdown, but I am concerned about how much might be leaking while driving (not a daily driver). The PPI noted the leak was from at the "flywheel" and I trust the shop.

2. The clutch is great (less than 10K on it), but your comments on how a bad RMS can ruin a clutch has me a little concerned.

3. I am dumb enough (and willing to admit it) that I am going to let my local independent Porsche mechanic take any shots at solving this along with any majors.

SoCal, I too can't stand leaks.....for exampl, I had my 03 F350 Turbo Diesel spend 4 weeks in the shop while they determined after many RMS changes that the leak was not coming from there, but from on top of the engine....had a complete engine drop performed (on warranty) to replace ALL seals/gaskets and then sold it the month after I got it back as I was so pissed. Trying not to let my "analness" about leaks compromise my absolute giddyness about finally owning my childhood dream car.

Thanks.

Peter

[ianc]

Trying not to let my "analness" about leaks compromise my absolute giddyness about finally owning my childhood dream car.

Hey, they all leak a little. That's just the nature of the game with air-cooled engines. We're happiest when it's an 'ooze' rather than an out-and-out leak though. ;-)

On the bright side, if the clutch has less than 10K on it, odds are pretty high that it's not the main seal. Any shop worth a sausage would have changed the seal when they had the engine out to do the clutch.

Good luck!

ianc

[pfyoung]

I thought I would give all who responded a quick update from the shop.

The oil leak(s) were coming from the oil return tubes (fixed).

As this is a new car to me I also had a complete tune/valve adjustment completed and I feel like I have a brand new car....She was running lean and also had some type of "shaft" or "rod" installed incorrrectly by the previous mechanic that was close to coming loose and breaking a valve.

Even though the bill was high, I have a smile that just won't wipe off my face......

Now, where is the sun?

[porkersc]

Just had the same thing today. One leak diagnosed as the oil return pipe. My specialist reckons the other small leak is the RMS but after reading this i will look further as mine only had a new clutch fitted 3000 miles ago at a main Porsche agent. May e-mail the dealer to see if they did the RMS.
I am totally anal about leaks so at least I dont feel alone..

[aigel]

I was going to answer that the flywheel never leaks on the 911. And sure enough it didn't. That PPI just told you that it is leaking from the flywheel area, which turns out can be from many places.

Now, next time you need to save some money and do that valve adjust yourself. Do a search.

George

[porkersc]

Just managed to translate the invoice i had with my car from when it had the clutch changed at the Main Porsche agent in Switzerland 18 mts ago. I take it the RMS is the seal between the Crankshaft and flywheel. Please forgive my ignorance but trying to translate Swiss German to English. But it looks like it was done. Any further ideas on the very small drips i can see. They are towards the back of the engine down the middle. If that makes sense!!

[aigel]

porkersc:

The drips are hanging on the case seam? Towards the back of the engine / car? Try to look on top of the case, in the thermostat housing, oil pressure sender area and make sure it is dry there. Then work your way "downward".

If you need help with Swiss German, let me know.

George

[porkersc]

Hi Aigel, They are hanging on the case seam but more towards the front of the car towards the gearbox area. Only very very slight. From what I can translate the RMS was done with the clutch. Could do with help with the Swiss German as this expensive invoice I have with the car is all Swiss German. Many thanks Dan.

[aigel]

porkersc:

Yes, if it has drips there, your first place to look would be on top of the engine. You may want to take the air box stuff off, for better access, otherwise a mirror on a stick will suffice. All you need to verify is if the top of the engine is dry or not. If it is oily, you have to replace the breather gasket, breather hose, thermostat o-ring or oil pressure sender.

If you would like, you can scan your Schweizerdeutsch invoice and send it along via email. Write me a PM and we will take it from there.

Cheers, George

[porkersc]

Thanks for the advice. If it one of the items you suggest at the top of the engine are these big jobs? BTW Have sent you a PM. Many thanks Dan.

[aigel]

Dan:

The top of the engine stuff is not hard to do on a 3.2. My buddy redid all those items whitout even lowering the engine, if I remember right. At the most, you may do a "partial drop", where you lower the engine a bit without disconnecting the major life lines. Half a Saturday should suffice.

Got your PM and sent you my email / details.

George

[porkersc]

Thanks for the advice George. Appreciate it.