Oil and Smoke

paper1122 · 07-10-2008, 04:48 PM

So I've been poking around at the car tonight.
It is only running on 3 cylinders, #4 has spark coming to it but I think the plug is bad it looks worn, I tried cleaning it up, put it back in, but no firing. When I listen closely I can hear the popping of the cylinder not firing.
Anyways I think that's a side issue.

I am leaking oil very badly from somewhere near the back of the motor. Once the car heats up I've got a drip a second coming off the bottom of the exhaust.
I don't think its the cam tower cork seal because that seems fairly dry. Most of my oil seems to be around the exhaust header from cylinder #4. But I cannot see anything that's dripping oil that bad. The oil is making it's way down the header and coming off the flange closest to the engine (where two of the pipes converge into one).
I am suspecting the cam tower gasket but could it be a head gasket?
The oil on the headers then causes a lot of smoke.

Any ideas or thoughts to try would be helpful.

Thanks!

many944s · 07-10-2008, 05:17 PM

My vote would be the cam tower gasket, pretty typical area to see the oil leaking.
If its not the tower gasket, check the gasket at the rear of the cam housing where the engine lift bracket is. There is a rear cover held on by 3 bolts that sandwiches a gasket and the lift point bracket. Could be coming from there as well.

Hope it helps!
-Nick

hpservertech · 07-10-2008, 08:01 PM

And you definatly want to get it fixed. I have seen many of these cars go up in flames beacuase of an oil leak back there

paper1122 · 07-11-2008, 03:02 AM

Unless I find someone who's done it around me before and wants to help for some $$$ (I don't mind getting my hands dirty but I learn best by example) I'll probably have it towed to a local shop.

bud9344 · bud9344's Garage

It is the cam tower gasket.
When I bought my 83 944, that was the way I bought it. It actually a customer got recommended by his mechanic to bring his car to me to have it look at. First I tough it was coming form the cork gasket on the rear off the cam tower,change the gasket but it was still leaking. I made some estimate to replace the cam tower gasket and the Customer sold the car to me. Replace the cam tower paper gasket and also I replace the timing belt at the same time. And it look like I may have to replace the cam tower gasket on my 86 951 it started to leak oil around #4 piston (exhaust area)
Good Luck
--------------------------
Bud

hpservertech · 07-11-2008, 08:11 AM

The only bad thing about doing this job is that you need to at least do a retension if not replace the belts.

Slam · 07-11-2008, 09:14 AM

And beware the cam tower bolts backing out. Mine have done this, and for some reason it's always at the front of the tower. This time it's some blue Locktite for them. Be careful taking the tower off 'cause it'll want to spill lifters everywhere. Good time to do front cam seals since you're there anyway. The cam gasket is very cheap.

John_AZ · 07-11-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paper1122

So I've been poking around at the car tonight.
It is only running on 3 cylinders, #4 has spark coming to it but I think the plug is bad it looks worn, I tried cleaning it up, put it back in, but no firing. When I listen closely I can hear the popping of the cylinder not firing.
Anyways I think that's a side issue. Thanks!

He is not going any where unless he likes the shake of a 3 cyl Porsche.

#4 has spark. Check the injector for 12V and gently tap the injector base with a long screwdriver (thanks jmd_forest). It might be sticking. Get a reseal kit and DIY clean (top tech articles). Replace if needed.

If this does not work, like you said you can tow it to the shop. Have your wallet open real wide.

John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

paper1122 · 07-12-2008, 06:55 AM

Your advice on the injector seems to have been spot on, I tapped it a few times and it seems to be working. I will most likely replace it.

I fear I may have a blown head gasket, I think I have oil in my overflow resevior. My question is, if it's the head gasket why am I pouring oil outside the car?

John_AZ · 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paper1122

Your advice on the injector seems to have been spot on, I tapped it a few times and it seems to be working. I will most likely replace it.

I fear I may have a blown head gasket, I think I have oil in my overflow resevior. My question is, if it's the head gasket why am I pouring oil outside the car?

Injector-DIY clean and reseal or send to www.WitchHunter.com for PRO cleaning and balance. BUT WAIT...
If you have an oily brown skum in the overflow it is usually just the oil cooler seals--NOT head gasket.
$50 gaskets and 3 hours to flush film from hoses and radiator. Read all about it at www.Clarks-Garage.com. When you get to do this post for more tips.

DO IT NOW!! Antifreeze and oil mix ruin the connecting rod bearings-usually #2.
Porsche actually recommended changing rod bearings if the oil/antifreeze mix occurred. Antifreeze EATS rod bearings.

Oil outside of car. Have you checked the rear cam cork $1 gasket for leaks yet?

Finally, since maintenance has been lacking, when were the belts changed?

John_AZ

paper1122 · 07-12-2008, 07:52 AM

According to the PO they were changed only a few k ago. I called the shop that he did it at and confirmed, he had quite a bit of stuff done. The problem is the car has been sitting for quite a while.

John_AZ · 07-12-2008, 07:56 AM

Good to hear! Did he let you know what else was done when you called?

John_AZ

hpservertech · 07-12-2008, 08:16 AM

John is right about the oil cooler seals. That is the cause of the oil in the resivour. Takes a while to get it cleaned all the way out though, so dont be worried too much after the job.

paper1122 · 07-12-2008, 09:25 AM

Thanks for the help so far guys!
I picked up a compression tester to confirm everything. Cylinder #3 seems to be done around 135psi, but I would expect a little loss in a 25 yr old car, otherwise the rest of the cylinders seem to have good compression. Am I right to assume that this pretty much rules out the head gasket?

I am going to do the oil cooler, I'm going to order the kit off of PP, do I need anything else other than that little tool?

I really want to attempt the cam tower gasket myself, I am considering doing the gasket and just towing it to a shop to have the belt tensioned.

hpservertech · 07-12-2008, 11:23 AM

What are all the compression numbers?

John_AZ · 07-12-2008, 11:41 AM

paper,
Please update your sig line (User CP) with year and model and whatever else you think is nice to know. From the comment on 25 year old car, I guess it is an 1983 944.

OPRV kit costs $41----OR purchase parts separately ====$21.
Get the OPRV sealing ring -N-043-815-3-1132 = $.75 (not in full kit) and you will not have oil drips from the OPRV. The alignment tool makes it easy and you almost get it free (not getting kit).

Fill up your shopping cart with lots of PP stuff-you know you need it.

John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S
1970 914-4 + 1977.5 924 + 1979 924 ===all RIP

paper1122 · 07-12-2008, 02:14 PM

Oh, I am definately going to fill my cart, right now it has $150 and climbing.

Is there an alternative to the $600 tension tool for sale on PP? I am really itching to try the cam tower gasket repair (complete) myself.

I pulled the oil cooler out (man the exhaust headers were a PITA) there is definately a lot of gunk built up in there. Is there something I can soak everything in without harming it? I'll order my parts tomorrow and hopefully they'll show up in time for next weekend (doubt it).

John_AZ · 07-12-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paper1122

Oh, I am definately going to fill my cart, right now it has $150 and climbing.

Is there an alternative to the $600 tension tool for sale on PP? I am really itching to try the cam tower gasket repair (complete) myself.

I pulled the oil cooler out (man the exhaust headers were a PITA) there is definately a lot of gunk built up in there. Is there something I can soak everything in without harming it? I'll order my parts tomorrow and hopefully they'll show up in time for next weekend (doubt it).

Please check out the www.arnnworx.com tool. It is highly recommended and the dog smiles. He has excellent tech articles.

You will be tempted and shown other methods and tools, but I base this on your trepidation and experience with the belt tension mystery.

The '87 '88 +came with a spring tensioner and after a few years I can do it by feel.

Good Luck,

John_AZ

paper1122 · 07-13-2008, 01:49 PM

Signature added!
My compression tests ranged from 135 to 145.

I am going to order the parts for the oil cooler tonight along with the parts for the cam tower gasket. I am going to buy the arnnworx kit.
Other than the gasket itself what do I need to replace when I'm in there?

hpservertech · 07-13-2008, 08:12 PM

Can you let us know what each compression number is for each cylinder.

A tell tale sign of a blow headgasket is the compression numbers in most of the cylinders (say 3 of them) will be pretty much identical..say around 150, but one of the cylinders might be 135.

A leakdown test is also good to do.

But if your going to do the cam tower and the oil cooler, you might as well go a few more bolts down and do the headgasket as well cause your going to be in there anyway. If you do all 3 you might as well get the complete top end gasket set and do the front seals as well if the shop didn't do them when it was in for the belts/water pump.

oh, might as well do the water pump too if it hasn't been done or you have records of it being done.