Oil leak - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

fullthrottle52 · 03-31-2012, 04:25 PM

I have had my box for about 1 year now. I have never noticed any oil on the garage floor before today. I took the car out this evening (before Kentucky/Louisville game -- Kentucky just won!!! Sorry got sidetracked. I took the car out for a spirited drive and have since noticed 2 or 3 drops of oil on the garage floor. They are right below the engine. Should I be concerned or could this be somewhat normal? I am taking a 150 mile trip tomorrow and sell again check it when I get home but thought someone may comment if there boxster leaks slightly at times.

Thanks for any replies.

ChrisZang · 03-31-2012, 04:49 PM

I'd think rear main seal .....

san rensho · 03-31-2012, 04:55 PM

You have to get under the car and tell us where the oil is coming from. Anything else is just pure speculation, Look for oil at the junction between the tranny and the motor and from the cam covers, and also from the oil drain plug and the filter.

pompous · 03-31-2012, 04:58 PM

Drain plug loose? You change your oil lately?

fullthrottle52 · 03-31-2012, 05:56 PM

Have not changed oil since Oct 2011 or about 3000 miles ago. I will craw under tomorrow and see if I can tell where it is coming from. I also thought RMS. It is only 2 fresh drops but it would be nice to know where.
More tomorrow...

Chris B · 03-31-2012, 07:03 PM

I saw my 2001 S on the lift at Musante Motorsports in CT last week. There were a couple of small oil spots on my garage floor and they pointed out the seals around the cam shaft covers had broken down allowing oil to slowly seep out. It is apparently a common event. The covers were removed, resealed, reinstalled, and cleaned up. I'm slowly learning more about these cars, but can say from my own experience this is at least a possibility.

SeanZ4 · 04-01-2012, 07:06 AM

I had the cam tower seal leak too. They did the same thing and I haven't had a leak since. That was in '09.

fullthrottle52 - We shall see you tomorrow. (look where I'm from)

fullthrottle52 · 04-01-2012, 11:00 AM

SeanZ4
I'm afraid it will be quick work for Kentucky tomorrow night. You will need to get your medication out and ready because you will have severe depression on Tuesday. Ha Ha

fullthrottle52 · 04-01-2012, 11:04 AM

I took another look this morning. No wet oil spots, but 7 or 8 dry oil spots directly to the left of the passenger side rear wheel. I will have to get it up on a lift to see any more. I don't have a jack and stands.

Thanks for the help.

GO KENTUCKY!!

recycledsixtie · 04-01-2012, 12:22 PM

[QUOTE=fullthrottle52;284816]I took another look this morning. No wet oil spots, but 7 or 8 dry oil spots directly to the left of the passenger side rear wheel. I will have to get it up on a lift to see any more. I don't have a jack and stands.
]

I dont have a "real" jack and stands after owning the Boxster for a year. My head is too big to look properly. I suppose I should get out of the newby mode and get a real jack and stand and gosh I might learn something new!

Ghostrider 310 · 04-01-2012, 01:04 PM

Good stands are not expensive, whatever you do don't get under it on a jack only no matter how good you believe that jack integrity is. Worst case you could at least use the included scissor as a stand and jack it on a floor model, still stands are better but in a pinch way better than no safety stop.

fullthrottle52 · 04-01-2012, 06:11 PM

[QUOTE=recycledsixtie;284826]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullthrottle52

I took another look this morning. No wet oil spots, but 7 or 8 dry oil spots directly to the left of the passenger side rear wheel. I will have to get it up on a lift to see any more. I don't have a jack and stands.
]

I dont have a "real" jack and stands after owning the Boxster for a year. My head is too big to look properly. I suppose I should get out of the newby mode and get a real jack and stand and gosh I might learn something new!

recycledsixtie,

What the heck is that all about. Some owners don't even have a garage to store there cars in. What is with the big head comment. If your refering to my Kenutcky Basketball comment, can't you take a little ribbing. Just having fun. Not all of us here wrench everything on our cars. I may be a newby (under a year) but at least I am no _ss.

Steve Tinker · 04-01-2012, 08:27 PM

I think recycledsixtie was referring to his personal lack of jacks / stands and the size of his own head, not yours......
At least that's how I read it.

Bmod986 · 04-01-2012, 08:52 PM

ok back on track. It may be your spark plug tube seals. If you get a burning smell after a good drive and some moderate smoke then that would probably be the culprit, but that may not always be the case. If it reaches the floor it most probably is the inner most plug which can definitely reach the floor without having hit the exhaust. To check remove the passenger wheel and the wheel liner. Easy to do this with the stock jack. here are some pics of what you'll see.

This one is quiet oily because the tube seals needed to be changed. Quite messy.

You will need to remove this wheel liner.

coolbreeze551 · 04-01-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Tinker

I think recycledsixtie was referring to his personal lack of jacks / stands and the size of his own head, not yours......
At least that's how I read it.

I agree. I think it's a misunderstanding.

sasha055 · 04-02-2012, 09:26 AM

I have a car newbie question.. What are the cam covers? and is it DIY-able?

Thanks
Sasha

fullthrottle52 · 04-02-2012, 05:28 PM

My mistake misread the reply. My apology.

SeanZ4 · 04-03-2012, 05:39 AM

fullthrottle52 - I am humbled. Congratulations Kentucky!

recycledsixtie · 04-03-2012, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolbreeze551

I agree. I think it's a misunderstanding.

I bear no malice to anybody re size of anybody else's head. It is my head I am talking about. It is physically too big to look under the engine. No insult intended!

Thanks for the clarification!

Meir · 04-03-2012, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasha055

I have a car newbie question.. What are the cam covers? and is it DIY-able?

Thanks
Sasha

cam covers:

like their name, they are covering the camshafts.
as you can see in the picture, the cover is the part Wayne is holding in his hand.
if you have a leaking cover, you have to remove it and reseal it.
it could be a DIY project if you have the right tools.
you can read more about it here:
Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Camshaft Upgrade / Chain Tensioner Replacement - 986 / 987
i also recommend you to buy Wayne's book. very helpful:
Pelican Parts.com - 101 Projects for Your Porsche Boxster