Name this leak...
 

Leak is coming from the front of the engine... dead smack in the middle. Im guessing, but isnt there a bearing (I forget the name) that is a common leak that is located within the front of the engine, could that be it?

Car is an 86 Targa... TIA!

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...7/DSC_1084.jpg

Main crankshaft seal.

I had leaks coming from the thermostat and oil pressure switch that show up in that very area your showing. Very common leaks and pretty easy to fix.

thanks for the fast response guys...

did some searching... what is involved to replace the crank seal, thermostat and oil pressure? Partial engine drop?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...gine/1-2-9.jpg

Just make sure it is the MCS, take a mirror and check to see if top the engine is wet too.

the top of the engine is not wet... so its the MCS?

Main crank shaft seal replacement......
 

redridge,

You need to drop the engine and separate the transmission to get access to the main crankshaft seal. After the engine is separated from transmission, remove pressure plate and flywheel to expose the main crankshaft seal. The thermostat and oil pressure switch are easy and simple to work on. While your there, check the clutch disk, pressure plate, and flywheel for wear. HTH.

Tony

OK... now Im confused, the leak is not coming from the rear of the engine as stated from the first post. It is coming from the crank shaft pully end... notice the muffler (the front of the engine).

Leak is on the right (front engine)...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...7/DSC_1091.jpg

Take a look at your oil cooler too. The oil will drip to the same area. I would look at the main crankshaft seal very last since it would involve much more work then the other know problem area's.

Just saw the post/image right before me: Never-mind.

People are confused on this thread. The photo he shows is the rear of the car, front of the engine in his world.

The thermostat seal and crankcase vent seal are at the other end of the block as well as the crank seal closest to the transmission.

To the author of this post, you do not need to separate the engine and transmission and can get to this seal with a partial drop.

I am with you - I think it's behind your pulley.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/7810-anybody-ever-fix-rear-pulley-leak.html

Thank you... I thought I was loosing it for a minute there.

Do you know what this seal is called? This partial drop seems to be like a foot or so... thats a big drop.

Im with you... I need to see what is causing this leak. Isnt there a bearing behind the pulley, Im thinking at worst case it is bad, hence causing the oil leak. But I havent had my meds... so the bearing might be made up in my head.

Edit: just saw your link... thank you! No partial drop needed...

It's called the pulley seal.

Remove the muffler and do a partial drop if you know how to do that. With the case resting on the jack (stand), you can remove the engine mount assembly (the black box covering the pulley seal area).

Intermediate shaft cover,common leaker. You must remove the muffler,the aft tinware,support the engine & remove the engine cradle to access it. Of course you must also release the a/c compressor bracket brace,to remove the cradle. What is the production date of your car?? Makes a difference,gasket or o-ring,the oil ring types (later) are notorious to leak.
Howard

what about a tensioner line leak in that area?

not sure what the production date... but it is a MY 1986. Can a bad #8 bearing cause this leak as well? What are the symptoms for a bad #8 bearing... pulley wobble? Is this a case splitter to R&R?

Problems with the #8 main would be unusual. The seals will weep on occasion,but not nearly as ofter as the IMS cover.
Howard

+1. More common leak and oil will find its way to the wet area.

Redridge. I know a good picture can be worth a thousand words.

I included a picture of the intermediate shaft cover and the bottom of the crank pulley. Look at the engine case below the IMS cover. There is a cresent shaped opening to allow water, etc to drain. If you have a leak north of there, thats where it will come out.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1312112461.jpg

Excellent picture to assist in the diagnosis of this problem.