Oil Leak

Tie Rod · 09-30-2006, 06:13 PM

Newbie just starting out with the whole engine diagnosis adventure.............

It's a '89 Carrera with 110k on the Odometer. Car has been sitting for about a year. Just registered it and fired it up for first time. Started instantly on first turn of the key. Was excited about that and ready to start driving it again. Anyhow, a few days passed before I actually drove it and I noticed some oil on the garage floor. Hadn't leaked a drop before this. So I crawled under and this is what I found.

I am not as familiar with all the regular leaks and especially the annoying versus crippling ones. I just got all my books and will be reading. I also have been using the search button regularly. For now, I figured I would post the pics and see what the concensus was. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

swa911 · swa911's Garage

oil return tubes and/or valve covers

Grady Clay · 09-30-2006, 06:52 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

You will find a lot of help here.

First, how about some gratuitous images of your 911?

Second, here is some info on posting images
(congratulations for posting images on your first post.) ” How to post images (pictures) on Pelican“

Third, be VERY careful about breaking-in your 911 after a long rest. This actually can be more difficult than breaking-in a fresh rebuild.

Here are a few links about storage and rejuvenation:
“Winter Storage Checklist”
“Rust vs. Humidity vs. Storage”
“What do you do about winterization?”
”PCA Porsche Winter Storage”
”Spare Motor Storage...What to do”

PS; Where in KY? I grew up in Louisville.

Best,
Grady

Tie Rod · 09-30-2006, 07:55 PM

Hi Grady, thanks for the welcome and info. I will start diggin into those threads. I am Louisville. Highlands area. I need to go take some pics. She is down for a bit til I figure out what is wrong. I only ran the engine for about 30 seconds just to see if it would start. The oil leak came from that. Never had oil under the car before.

I am thinking from my quick look that the valve covers are pretty dry and that the leak is from the cylinder head camshaft housing area. I am planning on putting it on the lift for a better look.

Grady Clay · 09-30-2006, 08:21 PM

Please e-mail me at:
gradyclayathotmaildotcom.

My great-grandfather received the house at Grinsted & Cherokee (Highlands) as a wedding present in 1872. I grew up at Grinstead & Peterson Ave. (Crescent Hill) in the 1940’s-‘70‘s.

The goal is to get your 911 up and running (perhaps a tour to Colorado) as soon as possible. These cars are to be driven, not just left to rest.

Best,
Grady

hytem · 10-02-2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tie Rod

I am thinking from my quick look that the valve covers are pretty dry and that the leak is from the cylinder head camshaft housing area. I am planning on putting it on the lift for a better look.

I have a similar looking leak, and it's been diagnosed as coming from the rear cylinder head and camshaft housing. That's an engine drop and re-seal, $2500-3000, unless you do it yourself.
Do mine, too, and I'll give you $1000. (LOL)

My mechanic said forget about it. You'll probably create another leak somewhere else fixing it. These cars aren't happy unless they're leaking a little oil. The seals are metal-to-metal.

Post what you find.

Zeke · 10-02-2006, 01:20 PM

Just listen to Grady. Let's hope it's just the return tubes. You can clean everything and run the motor again to spot the exactl location. Do Grady's "break in" proceedure. That oil looks a tad dirty, did you change it after the big sleep? I would.

Richard Burns · Richard Burns's Garage

Try cleaning everything that you can & dry it off, start the car again. You should be able to see where the leaks are coming from if you get under the car now that you know what you are looking for. It may only be a dry gasket on the valve covers as the car sat for some time.If it is the return tubes it is still not a major problem. Waynes book 101 Projects can help you out and take a lot of worry off you.
Good luck.

Tie Rod · 10-04-2006, 02:28 PM

I am still reading this thread. I feel that there is a wealth of info to be found so I am trying not to just be lazy and ask everything.

Anyhow, I have poked around quite a bit with a flashlight and mirror. Seems all oil return tubes are dry and valve covers are dry. Very wet around the Camshaft housing/cylinderhead seal. I was going to clean it all off and restart the engine to pinpoint. Now battery dead. Seems to have a bad cell according to charger. I guess I could just jump it. Now off to the many threads on Batteries Optima/Odyssey etc as a side project. I wanted a different battery set up anyhow as that interstate pig barely fits and is a royal pain to work with.

I think I will just drop the engine and give the top end a complete inspection. Seems like it is not that big a deal and affords way better access to everything. I have also wanted to clean the engine compartment up, replace the sound pad and clean out what looks like remnants of a rodent nest. I can report back if anyone is interested, but seems like an already well documented topic.

Thanks for the replies