kinda freaking out, input please! engine/ oil issue

[Ramathorn]

So the past couple of days my 83 has been up on ramps because i decided to try and find an oil leak, remove the ac and put my rs panels in. First thing i did was clean up as much of the underside of the engine (than i let the car sit for a day and nothing). Next day i decide since the oil leak isnt presenting itself ill install the door panels and take the upper/ easier parts of the ac out. That leads me to this evening when i go out to see if the engine has any fresh oil spots and it does. nothing major just a nice little trail ending at the oil sump plate. as im looking around im horrified to see this. Im pretty new to the porsche thing but, my gut is telling me WTF. can someone please, please please tell me what is wrong here. it looks as if im missing a half moon seal or something. this is at the rear most dead center of the block. if this is the case how does something like this happen and is there a fix?

[DUK]

Help us out here. Point to where you're talking about. Do you have any more clear pics?

I'm suspecting the crank seal.

[gregwils]

Same. I can't see the location of the oil you're referencing.

[ben parrish]

I think he is talking about this

[ben parrish]

[Targa Time]

That opening is supposed to be there. If you are getting oil from that area it is probably from the Nose Bearing Seal or the Intermediate Plate Gasket.

[kodioneill]

Half moon seal , is that a triumph engine?

[Ramathorn]

Thanks Ben the areas you circled are the area i was refering to.

[James Brown]

OMG, WTF, I was looking for a quart or 2 of oil on the ground. You do spook easy Ramathron, trust the engineers.

[Ramathorn]

Possibly spook easily. I'm coming from I've always worked subarus where leaks are easily found and fixed and every thing is suppose to be sealed. Lol

Anyhow what might the issue be and what is the fix involve?

[steely]

A better pic would help. Do you have a macro button on the camera?

I second Targa Times' suggestion. If you can see oil on top, could even be a cam tower oil line.

[Cdnone1]

You can dust the engine block with a very light coating of baby powder. The powder will stick to the wet (oil) areas and you can trace it back to it's origination point.
Steve

[HarryD]

How much oil are you using? If it is less than 1quart/1000 miles, "Don't worry, be happy".

The factory says that normal consumption can be as high at 1 quart/700 miles.