oil leak help!

Johns86_944 · 12-11-2000, 08:14 PM

My 86 944 has a bad oil leak when the engine is running. It doesn't leak when not running (I know...just don't run it right?).

Directly above the drain plug there is a wire (sending unit?), above that is a chunk of aluminum with a circular plug on the rear. The plug is loose and oil drips out. My question is, what is this plug and how do I fix the leak?

Thanks

Weldin · 12-11-2000, 09:12 PM

not sure, but it sounds maybe like oil pressure relief valve or the (drain?) plug by the sender....I believe these are both typically sealed with a washer & teflon tape...anyone?

Lawrence Coppari · 12-12-2000, 02:32 PM

Manual shows a washer behind it, probably copper or aluminum that must be replaced every time you take it off. Plug is M 18 X 1.5. Torque is 25 ft-lbf if we are talking about the same thing.

Johns86_944 · 12-12-2000, 07:59 PM

This has no hex head, it looks the size and shape of a small freeze plug, except it is not on the actual block and leaks oil instead of antifreeze. It is on what could be a valve cover, except it is in the wrong place. The plug faces rearward and looks like it would cove a cam. Maybe this is were the balance shaft is that I have heard about. I really have no idea. I ordered a Haynes manual from Pelican but it won't be here for a while. It looks like this whole valve cover looking piece has to come off and then a new seal gets put around this leaking circular plug, but I can't tell and somebody (the guy I bought it from?) smeared everything with grey goo all over in a worthless atempt to stop the leak. Any Ideas, or does anyone know of any web sites with engine diagrams?

Thanks,

John

Johns86_944 · 12-12-2000, 08:15 PM

REAR |
OF |_____
BLOCK | |
| ( O )| <- LEAK
| ! |
|------|
--------| !
OIL |
PAN |=D ! <- DRAIN PLLUG
""""""""
!

========= <- MY OIL

Johns86_944 · 12-12-2000, 08:16 PM

Crap, my drawing didn't turn out right

asidrave · asidrave's Garage

John, if you have a digital camera. take a pic of the area in question and post it on this topic. im sure someone here can help.

Johns86_944 · 12-13-2000, 11:48 AM

I wish I had a digital camera, sorry. It is dificult to describe this, but let me try again.

about 10 inches directly above the drain plug on the oil pan in a cast aluminum piece. This piece is bolted to the side of the block. The rear of this piece has a half circle cut out of it that matches a half circle on the block. Thus when this piece is bolted to the block there is a large round hole facing the rear of the car. In this hole there is a plug or cap which is loose and leaking. It wiggles but does not come out. I imagine the cast aluminum piece has to be unbolted and a new seal or plug fitted, but I have no idea what to ask for at the auto parts store. I'm starting to feel like an idiot, but I have never worked on one of these before.

Thanks

John

Lawrence Coppari · 12-13-2000, 01:50 PM

Is it on the balance shaft housing? It looks like a valve cover. You have two of them, one high and one low on opposite sides. If this is it, it has an O-ring to seal it. Thing looks like a bobbin in a sewing machine except not as deeply cut. Why in the hell Porsche made the things this way is beyond me. Eventually, they leak. Mine leaked and I had to reseal entire balance shaft housing. I had to take the turbo off to get the cover off!!!Mine would actually wiggle because the O-ring was so worn. It faces the back of the car. The housing has no gasket. You MUST use Loctite 574, I think. I know it is Loctite, just not sure of number. The Loctite goes on the housing, not the O-ring.

[This message has been edited by Lawrence Coppari (edited 12-13-2000).]

Johns86_944 · 12-13-2000, 02:08 PM

Yes! thats got to be it! The housing doesn't leak, just that bobbin shaped piece which is loose enough to wiggle. Now do I remove or loosen the housing to put a new O-ring around the "bobbin" and if so I may have to take it all the way off and get a gasket for it or I'll have a bigger mess. I don't know if the exhaust has to come down too? Maybe there is enough room.

Johns86_944 · 12-13-2000, 02:16 PM

Oh, you said there is no gasket for that. Oh well locktite is cheaper anyway. Was this a major headache when you did yours? Is the O-ring readily available at a good import car parts place or do I have to order it?

Thanks again!

Lawrence Coppari · 12-13-2000, 03:32 PM

You will have to remove the balance shaft housing. There are about 10? bolts and, of course, there is a tightening order/torque. The O-ring can be bought at the local Porsche dealer for about $3-4. You slip it over the bobbin-like plug. You put the Locktite 574 on the housing. Darn stuff hardens in the absence of oxygen. Can't think of the technical name for something that does that. The part that oozes in gets carried away by the oil. The part that oozes out to the outside never dries. But it does work as it is supposed to. May have to set for several hours depending on temperature. Not bad to do.

[This message has been edited by Lawrence Coppari (edited 12-13-2000).]

lm6y · 12-13-2000, 03:46 PM

JOHNS86_944, don't feel like an idiot, that's what this BBS is for. Ask and ye shall receive. Lawrence, I believe it is called anaerobic sealant.

[This message has been edited by lm6y (edited 12-13-2000).]

Johns86_944 · 12-14-2000, 06:17 AM

Ok, I see several 10 mm and several 13mm bolts. I have removed all but one 10 mm that is by the engine mount, I need a thinner wrench to get to it. Problem is that it looks like there may be a bolt or two comming in from the fron of the engine also.

Where the power steering bracket is and the belt covers are. Is that the case? If so all that stuff on the front of the engine will have to come off to get to this one bolt. Can you remember, or does someone have a manual that shows this? I am going to the dealer today to get the O-ring and sealant. Thanks,

John

Lawrence Coppari · 12-14-2000, 03:23 PM

There are two bolts that come from the front. That is what the manual shows. And, yes, the bolts are not all the same size.

Johns86_944 · 12-21-2000, 07:02 AM

Well this problem is fixed, on to the next! I would like to thank eveyrone here for their help, particularly Lawrence who knows his stuff and faxed me some info that was invaluable in completing this job. Also I want to leave a few tips for the next person that has to do this job. It is a very easy job once you know what you are doing and shouldn't take more than a few hours.

1. Get the locktite 574 ahead of time. You will not find it locally. I spent a saturday calling and driving to parts stores for something nobody even knew existed.

2. Get the tool needed to hold the spockets while you tighten or loosen them. Trying to make something to do this wasted a full night for me (and I was working outdoors in the snow).

3. Carefully mark the positions of all the belts on each sprocket.

4. Two bolts need to be put into the balance cover as it goes into place or you won't have the clearence to get them in latter (Lower Balance cover). These are the top rear most bolt by the exhaust and the third from rear by the engine mount.

5. The torque sequence and specs are critical, check that the balance shaft still spins freely before putting the belt on.

6. Get something to check the belt tension unless you are really good or you will always have a nagging feeling you did it wrong and the whole thing might fall apwart on you.

Thanks again, this is an exellent site!!

John

[This message has been edited by Johns86_944 (edited 12-21-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Johns86_944 (edited 12-22-2000).]