Source of Oil Leak

[smestas]

Today I was determined to find the source of my oil leak. I started by thoroughly cleaning the bottom of my car with Simple green and pressure washing it clean so I can see were the oil was coming from. Well this is the source but what the heck is it and how do I go about fixing it? If you can’t tell from the photo it’s on the passenger side of the case just left and back from the oil cooler. It seems to be an opening in the case where another metal is running thru? Perhaps it is a loose bolt?

Any leads or help will be appreciated.

[smestas]

bump

[ChrisBennet]

The case has big hole for the oil and a tube is pressed in but not welded. As these cars get older they can start leaking from that little "window" where your's is or behind the oil cooler. I just posted something on this problem a few days ago. See this recent thread on oil leaks. A mechanic friend of mine tipped me off to this problem. He hasn't had much luck welding them unless the motor is completely disassembled. Then he sends it to a special aircraft welder guy he knows.
My friend Dean ("Blown") welded up a motor with this problem for me last summer. Dean is a regular artist when it comes to welding. This operation might not be the kind you want your normal mechanic doing.
-Chris

[dean]

Hey Chris,
When I saw the photo I said hey I know that spot. Thanks for the kind words

[smestas]

Chris,

Thanks for the reply. So my only options are eitheir live with the small leak or tear the motor down and have this welded?

I tried to search on the topic but didnt have any luck unless Im searching for the wrong phrase.

Any one else have more info or pictures on this problem?

[Britwrench]

Clean it off and epoxy it, use Wurth epoxy 2000 or similar. It provides a permanent cure.

[john walker's workshop]

i've also been epoxying them with excellent results for many years. to do a complete job, remove the oil cooler and epoxy the other part of that slot that's under it.

[ChrisBennet]

Simon,
I would consult some shops out there in California before I just accepted the leak. With approx 50% of these Porsche's sold going to California, there is a good chance that shops out there have had more experience fixing this relatively rare problem.
The problem, as I understand it, is that the aluminum case is somewhat porous and it gets impregnated with oil which makes it difficult to epoxy or weld. But hey, if they have things that patch leaky gas tanks and cement that hardens under water who knows what sort of solutions there are? I wouldn''t give up yet.
-Chris
EDIT: I guess I should have said ask shops in Washington!

[smestas]

Thanks for all of the replys.

I think Im going to try to epoxy the area first before I opt to have the motor opened up or droped.

Does anyone have any epoxy recomendations besides Wurth epoxy 2000. I just want to have a general consensus before I buy some epoxy. I also wanted to know if this is somthing I need to drain the oil to do or if you just throw the epoxy on the leaking area?

Thanks for all the help.

[Baby]

i've also been epoxying them with excellent results for many years. to do a complete job, remove the oil cooler and epoxy the other part of that slot that's under it.

So is it best to epoxy only the slot the oil cooler conceals and not the slot on the outside?

[smestas]

I only put epoxy on the outside area that was in my original photo. No leaks from that area ever since. As others have said to do a more complete job remove the oil cooler and get it from both sides.

[Baby]

Thanks, I didn't get exactly what John meant. A PO epoxied both sides on mine, but I think it may be leaking. Going to hit it again.