Diagnosis

[grovernk]

1978 911 SC 140K

Sat for about 8 years

went to a reputable shop, got the once over, ended up needing new head studs, new spark plugs, new oil thermostat, new alternator, replaced oil lines, some oil line kinks removed.

I have been driving the car for the last 6 months and noticed the following, relatively consistently:

a few drops of oil (4-6) after I park it
usually notice some oil smell with the heat on
typically smokes from the rear oil cooler and passenger side heat exchanger once parked for a few minutes
estimated gas mileage is in the 15 MPG range

new wrinkle:

I typically drive around 3500-4000 RPMS with the temp gauge being about center or slightly above center

last week I ran her at close to 4500 RPM's for about 30 minutes straight and noticed the temp gauge creeping well above center, though not into the red

I have also been trying to closely monitor the oil consumption, it seems like I am using around 1/2-3/4 quart per 300 miles

It seems like all signs are pointing at possibly a top and bottom end job, but given the headstuds were all replaced I would think that most issues should have been caught when that work was done, so kind confused

I am planning on getting a compression and leak down test ASAP

please overwhelm me with thoughts...

[tazzieman]

1. Clean engine of all built up grunge, top & bottom - fin clogging can reduce cooling effect. Good threads on how to do this.
2. After a spirited drive , get under the engine at night with a strong torch and look carefully for seapage e.g. oil return tubes etc etc
3. Get the comp & leakdown to assess how old this engine is - with diagnosis you can plan for treatment

btw what type/weight of oil are you using?

[grovernk]

Castrol GTX 20w-50

[Dublinoh]

Just to be clear: a torch is a flashlight.

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by Dublinoh

Just to be clear: a torch is a flashlight.

And everyone in the ROW knows a flashlight is a torch

[grovernk]

so that giant cut I just made in my muffler with the acetylene torch is not going to solve my issue?

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by grovernk

so that giant cut I just made in my muffler with the acetylene torch is not going to solve my issue?

Now go and have a look around the fuel tank...

[HarryD]

1978 911 SC 140K



Sat for about 8 years



went to a reputable shop, got the once over, ended up needing new head studs, new spark plugs, new oil thermostat, new alternator, replaced oil lines, some oil line kinks removed.



I have been driving the car for the last 6 months and noticed the following, relatively consistently:



a few drops of oil (4-6) after I park it

usually notice some oil smell with the heat on

typically smokes from the rear oil cooler and passenger side heat exchanger once parked for a few minutes

estimated gas mileage is in the 15 MPG range



new wrinkle:



I typically drive around 3500-4000 RPMS with the temp gauge being about center or slightly above center



last week I ran her at close to 4500 RPM's for about 30 minutes straight and noticed the temp gauge creeping well above center, though not into the red



I have also been trying to closely monitor the oil consumption, it seems like I am using around 1/2-3/4 quart per 300 miles



It seems like all signs are pointing at possibly a top and bottom end job, but given the headstuds were all replaced I would think that most issues should have been caught when that work was done, so kind confused



I am planning on getting a compression and leak down test ASAP



please overwhelm me with thoughts...

I would not worry too much yet.

How hot was the ambient temp when you saw the elevated temps?

While you have higher temps they are not critical. If it was me, I would clean both coolers, change to a better oil (brad penn or joe Gibbs), and watch how things progress.

As far as the few drops, does not sound like a biggie.

FWIW, my car uses about 1 quart/1000 miles.