Second posting - New member, + pics

[JCFL]

Long time reader - First Post, and pics

Hello P-friends. I posted this on the weekend for first time, but did not get much reply. I would appreciate your expert opinions on last few pics showing oil leak under the engine. Merci beaucoup - thanks a lot !
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Hello, I come from eastern Canada. I have been reading this forum for almost three years, but I only became a member today.

I have dreamed of owning a 911 for several years. My daily driver has been various Honda Civic, for 17 years. My last sports car was a great 1978 Datsun 280Z, with 170 HP and top speed of 155 mph. But it was not a Porsche, that's for sure.

I've finally bought my Porsche in September of 2006, at age 44, and have been very happy with it, even with major problem very first spring I had it. I had to change the clutch by myself as there are no mechanics in my rural area who would touch it.

As I am a pencil pusher, I was very reluctant to undertake project, but with the help of this forum, 101 projects and Haynes manual, the project went very well. i was glad my two sons helped me, as their smaller hands could reach better than I several tight spots.

Here are a few pictures. And by the way, thanks to all the members of this forum. Your advice and information has been very helpfull to me several, several times over.

I was not aware, before I got my car, that the P-community was so open to share knowledge. This has been to me one of the nicest aspect of owning a Porsche. I live in a rural area and there are no mechanics in my neck of the wood who would touch my car. Nearest dealer is 400 miles away, and nearest competent mechanic is about 200 miles away. So I do read the forum often, and I also check my collection of up-fixing der Porsche.

Car is now away for winter - I miss it a lot. But with - 20 weather (that is - 20 Celsius), it is more comfortable where it's stored at. I am preparing a list of parts to order for the spring, and I will write back to ask you guys for advice on various items.

I am very lucky because my car does about 2000 miles per litre of oil, so engine is in excellent performing condition. My last project before winter was valve adjustment. It went relatively well, but one or two valves are knocking more than before my adjustment. in the spring, I am going to try someone who is expert, so as to help me along. Although the adjustment was relatively straight forward, it is true that to get the correct feel for adjustment must become easier with experience. Here are a few pictures for you guys.

THANK YOU

BY THE WAY, are there any member reading this from northern New Brunswick ?


















Although engine does not burn oil, I do have one leak due to old oil line. I also have some oil spots under the engine. Can you please comment - I am under the impression that this oil mark indicate broken head studs (although when I adjusted valves, all studs seemed to be ok. What do these oil mark (or patch - I do not correct word in english) warn me of ?
THANK YOU

[avt007]

Very pretty car! What year is it? I too had a 78 280Z. Sadly it lost an argument with a minivan.
As for valve adjustments, do a search, and use the alternate method, where the feeler guage goes under the camshaft end of the rocker, not the foot. It is much easier, and just as accurate.
Regarding the oil stains, I do not know. Did you put an allen key on each of the head studs to see if they were ok? I'd be glad to help you, but I am in BC, not much help to you from here, eh?

[JCFL]

Hello Rob in BC,

My 991 Carrera is the 1984 model, with 3.2L and about 205 hp.

I did use the alternate method, and it helped me to find out which valve did not need any adjustment. But it was still difficult. Sometime, the alternate method indicated wrong adjustment, so I adjust using 1st method, and then I just could not get the two methods to concur.

I realized recently, while re-readings pertaining posts, that I was probably turning the adjustment bolts too much at a time. I am anxioux to try again in spring.

It is certain that working on the car grows on you. What is so nice is the vast amount of information available as well as all the help available on this forum and the pca site.

As to reading info, I am the type to read, and read over the books, the forums, several times before attempting work. That is because I am not all mechanically inclined. So I go slow, and it had worked for me so far.

Was your area in BC damaged by the severe floods that you guys had a few weeks back ?

[avt007]

Judging by the pictures, you are not afraid to get your hands dirty, so that's a good thing. The valve adjustment is very sensitive. I find that having the locknut tightened enough to make it a bit hard to turn the screw helps.
As for BC, my area was ok. I live near a flood plain though, and I have never seen the water level so high.

[Gogar]

As for the oil leak, start at the top of the engine and work your way down. Is this leak on the Passenger side of the engine? If so, many common problems are the Engine Breather gasket, the Thermostat Seal, and the Oil pressure warning light. Once you eliminate the possibility of THOSE problems, then you can work your way towards the ground, and examine the oil return tubes or other areas.

It's good to see you're letting the kids help!

[TimT]

I don't think his bottom of engine pics qualify for "leaky bottom end"

I would just monitor those lil leaks.... if you start gushing oil all over then worry

Hey I want some poutine eh?

nice car... beautiful family

[gtihop]

Hi and congrats on the car. I'm not from NB, but close, in Halifax.