[968TDG]

Hi all,



I'm taking a road trip in my 968 from San Diego, CA, to Portland, OR in a little less than a month. I had noticed a slow oil leak from the right side of the engine (spotting on the driveway) and there were a few rattles I was hearing, so I took up an offer from a buddy to use a lift and check it out. I found where the oil is leaking from, but I'm not sure what it is. I've already replaced the high pressure oil filter housing gasket, and it looks like it is still sealing properly. The leak is coming from a round metal plug that can be seen in the center of the photo, and it is located towards the rear of the block on the right side, just above the oil pan.



With the engine running, I can see oil slowly seeping out of this plug, and I can hear and see the plug rattling around. It probably moves 0.05" of it's own accord just from the vibrations.



So...what is it?



<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



cheers



Phil

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

i'll ask my builder today. he just had that housing off yesterday for a modification.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Ryan]

Isn't that the end plug on the counter-balance shaft cover? Lots of folks just seal it with RTV after a good cleaning.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[pontifex4]

[quote name='Ryan' timestamp='1343311785' post='130031']

Isn't that the end plug on the counter-balance shaft cover? Lots of folks just seal it with RTV after a good cleaning.

[/quote]



Yup. Those are the balance shaft end plugs. There's one on the other side of the engine (up a little higher) that's likely in a simlar state. The temporary fix is to get everything nice and clean again and seal it with RTV. I've done it on my 944s when they were in the same state. That one isn't a high pressure seal.



Edit: By the way, I really like your friend's garage!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

my bad - i thought somehow i was looking at the oil filter housing. still, i'll ask him what he does for a "fix" for that.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968TDG]

Thanks guys,



I've heard of these leaking, but never bothered to locate it on the engine. I'll go back there and clean it up and put some RTV on it next week.



This was the first time I've had the Porsche on the lift...It is an amazing feeling to just walk around under the car while it's running and trouble shoot leaks and rattles...I want one!



In a few weeks I'm going to take my other car and put it on the lift...just got it running two weeks ago. Here's a video of one of the first start ups I did on it last week.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAp0qpGSE...r_embedded



Phil

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

Yes, very common leak area. Unfortunately, replacing the o-ring that seals that plug is a massive undertaking with the engine in the car, as lots of stuff is in the way, not the least of which is the engine mount. Hopefully the RTV fix will work. Leaks are some of the most frustrating things on these cars, because so many of them are very tough to repair without pulling the engine.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

got the answer back



use Drei Bond (Porsche part number 000.043.203.73). apply like "bathtub caulk". he says it works better than other sealants in the presence of oil

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968TDG]

Thanks Flash,



I'll order some today. I'm just relieved the Oil Filter Housing hasn't started leaking again <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



Phil

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.