Sort of confused

[Born2bwild1191]

So my car was leaking oil, like they all do. Nothing to bad just a drop or two overnight. there was a big ordeal with the camshaft cover plugs, and they were replaced and torqued back up because they were leaking. They stopped leaking. Now it seems that it's leaking more oil than before, a few drops over a couple hour time period after i drive it. If i just let it sit for a few days, it ceases. Also, my coolant seems to go down pretty quick, i have to put more coolant in about once every two weeks, and the temp is always between 3/4 and the red. Is that too hot? If i'm sitting at a red light, it nearly reaches the red. I've read a millinog different posts, and im assumed it's the head gasket, but i really hope not. Any other possibilities? The oil and the coolant could be totally unrealted for all i know. The car runs perfect, a small amount of white smoke as soon as i start it, but within minutes it stops. Any ideas? Thanks, you guys rock.

[1985porsche944]

From what I understand it may be your head gasket going bad. Check your oil to see if it is a brown foamy mixture.

[Born2bwild1191]

Thanks. The oil is definitely not foamy, just looks like regular oil

[porsche4life]

How is your fan sensor? Do the fans run after the car has been running for awhile? That would splain your heat issues.

[Born2bwild1191]

Actually, i just replaced the fan sensor back in November, so i know that's not the issue....And just to double check, i did check to make sure the fans are running the way they should.

[Tishabet]

Small amount of white smoke (which smells sweet) when you start it means there is coolant in the cylinders, meaning you need a head gasket. Bummer, but definitely something your average shade-tree mechanic and his torque wrench can handle.

Are you sure your oil leak is not from a new spot? If the underside of your engine is gross from the prior leak, do yourself a favor and clean it up really well... it will make identifying any new leaks way, way easier.

[Born2bwild1191]

It's actually so dirty under there i dont know where to begin. But yeah, i need to do that. I don't think that the smoke smells sweet, but thanks, now ill pay attention to that

[jcommin]

Your car is running hot. Your temp gauge should never hit the red at idle.

First question: Did you bleed the system to remove the air
Second question; Does the fan (primary) go on at all? If not, it is a relay. The second fan goes on when the A/C is on.

An observation: I beleive your oil would be contaninated with the amount of coolant you are using.

I would use some brake cleaner to remove the guck from your engine to determine where the oil leak is coming from.

[John_AZ]

I replaced the HG and took the head to a machine shop for inspection, grind valves and polish surface, replace valve stems.................++++........on my 1987 924S 112.9K miles.

The symptoms you mention were similiar to mine. The HG on our cars is a known defect and you are next in line. Your coolant loss issue will cease and the temp will come down when you do the work.

One easy test is to look at your plugs. If one or 2 look steam cleaned, you have a bad HG. You could also get a leak down tester and check each cyl. If bubbles show up in the coolant reservoir-the gasket is bad. I also suggest a compression test before and after-remove the DME relay when you test for compression.

There are many WYAIT-while you are in there- steps you should do as well. You will be pulling the head and intake among other things. This is the best time to do all hoses underneath the intake, AOS seals, vac hoses, heater control valve, replace the "J" boot, clean the ICV and replace hoses, do the OPRV seals, injector seals and maybe DIY clean or send away. Make sure you check the lifters. http://www.benms.com/944lifter.html

Pulling the head is a DIY job and will be successful if you do it slowly. Cost? $500-$800 for parts and shop fees and a few of the other things I mentioned. Allow about 10 days.

Oil leaks? What type of oil are you using?

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S 59K + 1987 924S 112.8K
1979 924 + 1977.5 924 + 1970 914 1.7 +++==gone, past tutors.

[poorsche930]

Ive seen head gaskets that are bad but didn't make the brown slurpee. The real way to tell is to put a CO2 tester on the coolant tank. Any shop should have the tool.

One of my '44's overheated and a few days later I noticed there was a LOT less coolant in the tank. No leaks, hoses were fine, heater core was good, no puddles or drip marks on the ground, upon further insp. I noticed a puddle right under my head. The head warped and was allowing coolant to seep out between the head and deck.

[Born2bwild1191]

My fan does kick on, i can hear it when the temp guage hits about 3/4. But it doesn't lower the temp, just slows down how fast it rises. I'm using 20-50 oil, Castrol. Also, i have been adding coolant when it is below the minimum (not empty) and no, i have not been bleeding it. I thought that was only when the tank ran empty? i have been putting in a decent amount of coolant every two weeks are so and not bleeding it, is that my problem???? I didn't realize you had to. I'm going to pull the plugs tonight to look. Thanks a lot guys! i feel like I'm on the way to figuring this out.

[jcommin]

When you replaced the fan sensor, did you not lose coolant? Maybe I'm wrong but I just replaced my sensor last year, I toped off my reservoir, started the car and bled the system until I saw coolant.

[Born2bwild1191]

Ohh yes, i did lose coolant then, and yes i did bleed it. but every time i've added coolant after that, i never have. Well i just looked down the oil filler tube. White and foamy....is there ANY other reason it would be white and foamy?

[jcommin]

You did it right, but I think you may have found a problem.

[Born2bwild1191]

Ok well i just climbed under it and took the cover off....looks like the oil ppan gasket is leaking a little, and where the front main seal is was covered in oil....there were oil drops forming on both the little nipple things at the bottom of the motor...I can't really see the head gasket, and i heard that oil can be foamy just from daily driving? Is this possible?

[Born2bwild1191]

The head gasket looks bone dry all around. The crankshaft seal is soaking wet. Hard job?

[John_AZ]

...wild,

While I still think you will need a new HG, your real concern in now the white and foamy oil.
You have to find out if you have a bad OPRV case seal or bad "O" rings and the antifreeze is mixing with the oil. The usual initial symptom is a brownish "milkshake" in the coolant reservoir. In your case it may be mixing in the crankcase--THIS IS REAL BAD! You need to find out now by draining the oil. If there is a mix in the oil drain pan--THIS IS REAL BAD!

The fix is to get the seals for the OPRV. Here is the REAL BAD part. Porsche recommends you should change the rod bearings if you have antifreeze in the crankcase. Antifreeze eats the rod bearings. If you gamble and fix the OPRV seals and do not do the rod bearings, you have the potential of scoring the crank and this could mean a new engine.

Drain the oil and check for antifreeze floating on the top. I hope you do not have this.

Your second Q.

To change the front crank seal the easy way-get a flywheel lock.
You will likely need the oil pump sleeve if is shows any seal groove. Very easy to change if you have the flywheel lock to get the crank bolt off and retorqued at 150 foot pounds.

GL
John_AZ

[Born2bwild1191]

Thanks for the help, the coolant reservoir is fine, no milkshake. I honestly have no time whatsoever to drain the oil for a while, i dont know what i should do. Sell the flippin thing?

[matthewb]

Checking for antifreeze floating on top of your oil will be a waste of your time... you should look for the antifreeze under your oil because water is more dense than oil.

just a suggestion.

[porsche4life]

Less you are willing to take <1k you better fix it. Not many people will pay much for a car with problems like this.