Oil leak ideas

[mkc1962]

The car is a 87 911, 3.2.

It has the usual oil weepage on the bottom. However more serious leaks appear to be coming from several of the seals on the engine oil cooler, and around the oil thermostat. Both of which can keep the steady drip visible on the bottom of the engine. However, this more obvious one that just occured has me wondering.
Every time I park the car there will be about 2 tbs of oil on my pad a few hours later.

It appears to be coming from the area of the #3 cylinder. Particularily where the head and the jug meet. Head gasket I would assume?. Does not appear to be coming from the valve cover gasket. Of course there is quite a bit of oil on top of engine, but it just doenst seem like that is making it over to this area. I am dropping the engine to deal with the bulk of these.

Is it possible to replace the head gaskets, without disturbing the jug base gaskets? I dont mind fixing leaks, but I really dont want to go any further than I have to.

[mkc1962]

Correction, Based on service manual, it appears that my leak appears to be eminating from the mating surface of the camshaft case and the top of the cylinder head.

But what I do not see, is what type of sealing is used there. Gasket or silicone?

any input greatly appreciated.

[Flat6pac]

87 and other Carreras do not have head gaskets, they have metal to metal seal.
You have to pull the cams and rockers to pull the cam carrier and reseal it.
I prefer aircraft Permatex as a sealant between the heads and cam carrier.
I would look first for a broken stud under the exhaust side valve cover.
Look for a rocker shaft moving off location intake and exhaust. The shaft should be flush with the thin boss side that the shaft goes through. I hope you can figure that statement...

Bruce

[mkc1962]

Bruce,

Thanks for the reply. Well true, gasket was not the proper term, I was referring to the copper sealing ring that my manual and parts fische shows. Once I looked at it again, as well as in detail in the bently manual, it appears that this leak is coming from the mating surface of the cam housing/head top. Along with my other parts I ordered some of the loctite 574? that the manual recommends. Curios, where can one get the aircraft permatex? the only thing I know of that is even close at local parts houses is the old Indian head shellac.
Though I surely hope not to find the other, I will also look for broken studs.

Thanks, Mike