So let me start by saying that I am no mechanic. I can do minor fixes and mods, but I leave most mechanical work to my mechanic.
That being said, here I am on a long weekend with a problem. Popping the hood to check my oil, I have found a collection of oil on the lip of my cylinder head cover, just below the rubber spark plug gaskets. I am not used to seeing oil so high up on an engine and I am wondering what I am facing here.
Any ideas??
Maybe time time to replace the valve cover gaskets.
Cam cover gasket (most likely), there are rubber seals around the spark plugs, nuts and perimeter of the cover. A kit from Sunset (or the like) should be all you need (and it’s an easy DYI job)
This is good stuff. I mean, not good that I have another fix to do, but good that it is an approachable DIY job. I didn't think it was anything too serious as it is still running strong. Now to search out the right kit....
Thanks for the advice!
[quote name='GreenMachine' post='40670' date='Sep 2 2007, 11:08 AM']Popping the hood to check my oil, I have found a collection of oil on the lip of my cylinder head cover, just below the rubber spark plug gaskets.[/quote]
If it is on top of the valve cover and not down inside the spark plug well, then most likely your seal around the vario-cam is leaking. There is a small paper gasket under that tiny plate as well as a rubber o-ring inside the plate. If you are on some sort of trip, clean it up and find some high temp RTV to put around it. That should stop it from leaking until you can have it properly fixed.
[quote name='968workaholic' post='40674' date='Sep 2 2007, 10:35 AM']If it is on top of the valve cover and not down inside the spark plug well, then most likely your seal around the vario-cam is leaking. There is a small paper gasket under that tiny plate as well as a rubber o-ring inside the plate. If you are on some sort of trip, clean it up and find some high temp RTV to put around it. That should stop it from leaking until you can have it properly fixed.[/quote]
Now that you mention it, the oil does seem to be originating at the vario-cam. I am not on a trip...the car is in my garage. Is this seal a readily available part and a reasonable diy?
BTW: Thanks to all for ideas. This community is invaluable.
I forgot about that seal. Yes; still an easy job , pull the cam cover as before just add this seal,
So what do you folks think? Do all the seals for safe measure (and a nice refresh) or just do the variocam seal and don't fix what aint broke?
Also thinking I might as well do spark plugs at the same time. I bet some oil worked down into the wells.
I have a nice set of diagrams in PDF as a parts catalog. Looks to be fairly straightforward.
It depends on the mileage of the car and if the valve cover gasket was ever changed. When was the last time a cam inspection was done? If it has been awhile, it might be a good idea to pull the cover and take a look, then change the gasket anyway. But, the vario-cam seals can be changed when the valve cover is still on.
Any idea on where to buy the vario-cam seal online? I don't see it on Paragon.
I would get it from your local Porsche dealer. You probably won't be able to get it until Tuesday though, due to the holiday.
Thanks for the advice. I am gonna give it a shot!
I would buy the complete cam cover gasket set. It has all gaskets including the one for the variocam actuator. It is best to replace them all with new ones if you are going to take it apart. should take less then an hour.
Sweet. The only thing that would cause me pause is that I am guessing there is a torque spec for re-attachment of the cam cover, and I haven't yet invested in torque wrenches. But I guess there is no time like the present!
So any ideas of a part number or source for the entire gasket set?
Thanks again. I will repay all with some good slow cooked BBQ at next year's 968 gathering! I can't offer much technical know-how, but I sure can cook! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />
[quote name='GreenMachine' post='40705' date='Sep 2 2007, 07:01 PM']Sweet. The only thing that would cause me pause is that I am guessing there is a torque spec for re-attachment of the cam cover, and I haven't yet invested in torque wrenches. But I guess there is no time like the present!
So any ideas of a part number or source for the entire gasket set?
Thanks again. I will repay all with some good slow cooked BBQ at next year's 968 gathering! I can't offer much technical know-how, but I sure can cook! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />[/quote]
Cam cover bolts are 7ft/lbs.
It seems like the two seals on the bottom left of the picture could be for the vario-cam, but a picture is worth a thousand words. I would send an email to the website and ask them specifically if the vario-cam o-ring and gasket was included in the set. BTW when was the last time a cam tooth inspection was done?
I have no record from the PO of a cam tooth inspection having been done. I have only owned the car for a little over 2Mo/1000 mi. Is that easy to do when I have her open?
[quote name='GreenMachine' post='40713' date='Sep 3 2007, 07:39 AM']I have no record from the PO of a cam tooth inspection having been done. I have only owned the car for a little over 2Mo/1000 mi. Is that easy to do when I have her open?[/quote]
Its very easy to do with the valve cover off. It will only take about 5 minutes. You are looking for pitting/chipping on the sides/bottoms of the gears. Also, it would help to have something small and pointy, such as an awl, so that you can tell how much wear is on the tensioner pads. It is easy to slightly push the chain to one side and using the awl, get a feel for how much of a groove is in the pad. If you can't even push it over to check, then the pads are fairly well grooved. BTW the bottom one that can't be seen wears about twice as fast as the top one.