Thoughts about oil leaks

[TDIDog]

I am looking for thoughts about oil leaks that I thought were getting fixed on my 930. Had it at the mechanic to repair the tranny, so engine & tranny were pulled. Thought while it was out, may as well adjust the valves, & fix some oil leaks. Now after I got it back the valve covers leak worse, & still leaks some where else. I haven't figured out where. Might be the cross over hoses. Mechanic says that if the car sits too long the crossover tubes will start to leak. Sounds like BS to me. Should have been able to stop the valve covers from leaking. Not only that, I think he used Castrol 5/30 Syntec when he did the oil change. I can't believe it. This is a 30 yr Porsche certified mechanic.
What do you guys think? Should I take it back to him, or just try & fix it myself?

img]http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads18/P21904371298524289.jpg[/img]

[TDIDog]

[TDIDog]

Thanks for your input. Cheers
jack

[Danny_Ocean]

My car has 138k mi. + 33 yrs. on the original motor and it doesn't leak that much.

What kind of valve cover gaskets did your mechanic use? Did he check the valve covers for warpage before re-installing?

[TDIDog]

Cars only go 54k on it. He did do some upper seals & orings. Also did main rear seal. I asked what kind of valve cover gaskets he used. Not sure whether to take it back.
Thanks

[yelcab1]

Take it back.

[TDIDog]

Cars an 86 930. What dino oil would you use? I was thinking Mobil1 15/50, and ad EOA(ZDDP) to it. Any thoughts on Edelbrock oil with ZDDP in it? On closer inspection, looks like valve covers are ok. Looks like return tubes on drivers side, & hoses to oil tank on passenger side. Haven't lifted car to get a closer look. Haven't run car since mid Dec. Also some oil on the seam of crank case. Could that be from return tube? Thanks for all input.
Cheers
jack

[kidrock]

I'm wondering if he worked on "The Unholy Trinity" up there. Could be a cracked hose to the crankcase breather up top?

If he replaced the main seal and some other goodies, you should be dry.

If your valve covers are leaking, I'd be pissed. It's probably either cheap gaskets, or the wrong torque value.

I'd hose the bottom of the motor with a gentle cleaner, then start searching for the cause(s). I guess you could take it back to your personal wrench, but I doubt he'll do it for free.

Most guys here will recommend a good dino oil or semi-synthetic 20W-50.

[Drisump]

On my 85 Carrera I used M1 15-50(which is also full synthetic) for two tears with no issues....no leaks and 3000 miles between quarts. This forum however convinced me to go to Brad Penn 20-50 (partial synthetic) for the additive package (ZDDP). If you look up motor oil in the search, you could spend years reading. Do you get to the mainland? There is a location in Langley that sells it....actually Jeff Alton (another Pelican) owns the place. Bummer about those persistent leaks, I hope they haven't over tightened the cover nuts and cracked it. I would take it back, at least you may get some money back to buy yourself a new gasket set from our host. If it ends up to be your return line (s) , it's not a big deal...but you would think if the engine was out on a 25 year old car, it would've been done as a matter of course. Since the engine was out, have you checked and tightened the the lube system connections? Perhaps something hasn't been snugged up properly. Cheers

[Tom Macy]

Get some satisfaction and take it back. A good mechanic shouldn't argue when presented with the facts.
Tom
88 Carrera Targa

[M5guy]

even a dealership would own up to your Valdez-class leak.

[nesslar]

First of all, the valve covers should not be warped, right? I think it's pretty obvious that the gaskets are bad/cheapos, covers improperly torqued, or both. I can't believe that kind of leak after putting them back in place. I could probably do a better job myself. I think they owe you one.
As for sitting, my Carrera will (usually) leak a drop or two after it sits for several days, then when I drive it for days in a row, the little leak goes away usually, sometimes a drop now and then, on the right side. Recently I had a nice stretch (weeks) with nada leaking. Your leak on the cardboard is matched fairly closely in size by mine, on cardboard also, but it took me a couple of years + to get there.

[rlw]

I also use M1 15w-50. No leaks. I would take it back. You should have zero oil leaks.
RW

[McLovin]

That's not a leak, that's a gusher.

[Charles Freeborn]

...welcome to my world of 2.7 ownership....

[TDIDog]

Maybe I'm expecting too much. I know as a plumber, if I leave & your taps or pipes are still dripping, you wouldn't be happy. I also thought that a Porsche would not leak oil. I guess I have a lot to learn.
Thanks

[McLovin]

you're not expecting too much. your car shouldn't leak oil. if it does, it has a problem that should be fixed. I've had 911s for 25 years, not a single one of them has leaked oil (they've sprung leaks at times, like any car, but I fix them immediately). Any oil leak can be fixed.

[steve911T]

Jack, I would be mainly concerned of the huge center placed oil leak. The valve cover leaks are real easy to fix and your moron mechanic did an absolutely horrible job. 95% of the people who post here could do a better job than that. You mentioned that he replaced the main rear seal, assuming the one behind the fly wheel/Crankshaft. Jack it up and get under there to see if it is coming from the area where the engine is joined with the trans. If it is that seal, your clutch will not last long. On the positive side, it could he the holy trinity above and should be real easy to find due to the volume. Those seals can actually be replaced with the engine in the car but a PITA. Good luck. Did you pay him by credit card? I would consider holding up payment until the leaks are gone. Good luck and be aggressive, that is shoddy workmanship. Steve

[brads911sc]

I wouldnt take my car back to anyone who poured Castrol in it. Find a good mechanic or work on it yourself...

Brad Penn, Valvoline VR1, Kendall GT1 are all good choices.

[kodioneill]

Can you take some photos of the left and right side underneath so we can see where it's leaking? take several close up and wide shots.