Rate My Oil Leak

[Chad W]

It looks like it's coming from the base of that inlet, but I'm pretty sure that is a coolant line and the substance seems to be oil. I know my oil fill tube is cracked and I've done a temporary repair. It looks like it could be in the right place to drip down there (driver's side, front of engine), but I'm not 100% sure and I'm wondering if there's anything else I should be looking at when I go in and replace the the fill tube.

[cdrik915]

If it's an oil leak , i find it very clear...............do you have a oil drain recently ???

On my opinion , if your water coolant is yellow , i think it's more a water coolant leak than an oil leak.

Check that on the floor , it's easy to identify.

The leak seems to come from upper , water pump ???

[Chad W]

I'm actually not 100% it's oil, I think the color is throwing me. It's hard to tell on the ground because even coolant is somewhat slippery. It seems to happen after driving, when the car cools (i.e. park it an no leak, leak is there in the morning, doesn't continue leaking once car is cooled down) I'll put some paper underneath it next time to help me catch and evaluate it. I'm not sure when the water pump was done, but if I'm pulling the alternator to do the oil fill, might make sense to get it all done together.

[jchapura]

That looks like a coolant drip (according to its shape). Does the color match the coolant in the reservoir? There is slight discoloration (moisture?) in that area. It's near the water pump. Not much oil stuff in that area. All circumstantial but pretty compelling.

[Chad W]

Yup, it's coolant for sure! What now?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Chad W

Yup, it's coolant for sure! What now?

I'd suggest fixing it, or taking it to someone that can.

[jchapura]

It's probably the water pump. It's a medium-advanced job to DIY. If it's a 997, change the coolant thermostat to a low temperature thermostat (LNE) to reduce one of the suspected factors in bore scoring. I'd plan to change the pump sooner rather than later because the pump can go from just a drip to a gusher without warning and then leave you stranded.

[Chad W]

It doesn't look too bad, but I don't have access to a lift right now and it's getting cold in the northeast, so I'll probably just have my mechanic do this one. It's a 996, is a low temp thermostat still recommended?

[jchapura]

Since I have a 997.1, I have not researched whether the 996 might benefit from the low temperature thermostat. It physically fits. Here's a link to the LNE page for the LTT insert.

By the way, to save $25, I made the insert removal tool out of PVC pipe ground down to the proper shape.

https://lnengineering.com/160f-low-temperature-thermostat-insert-only-use-tool-106-062-to-remove-install.html

[Chad W]

Awesome, thanks!

[Van B.]

Yes get the low temp thermo. Also, FYI, 996 and 997.1 are the essentially the same engine.

[Jeff Alton]

Yep, Your oil leak is a coolant leak. Looks like you need a water pump replacement. One of the most common repairs for this engine.

Replace your current coolant left in the system with the correct OE spec coolant....

Cheers

[Chad W]

There's a lot of options and opinions out there, but I went with oem porsche pump, housing and thermostat. Got the gaskets and bolts as well. I just did the belt, so I'll leave that alone. And of course a gallon on Porsche spec anti-freeze.

[jchapura]

Others advocate for a Porsche pump. I too went with OEM. Pierburg, I think. Be sure it has the composite impeller (not metal). The gasket is single-use, crush-type. I agree with those who also apply a very thin smear of RTV sealant on the mating surfaces (although that's not in the service manual). Be sure the gasket mating surfaces are very, very clean (and not gouged). Also, it's easier to evacuate the trapped air in the coolant system with an Airlift.