Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-31-2012, 02:22 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Nh
Posts: 21
Oil leak advice

Ive got a small oil leak around the left side cam cover. This apparently is around the area of the oxygen sensor. My indie Porsche mechanic is telling me I should repair and will likely need to drop the engine/ trans to get at the area for a proper fix. This sounds to me like it should be unnecessary. Can't this be done ( if truly necessary) with out dropping the engine? the car is a 2001 s with 64k miles and is running great

Rlwalker799 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2012, 02:45 PM   #2
Registered User
 
The Radium King's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,121
my advice - change your spark plugs and tubes (the plastic tubes that seat in the cam covers and house the spark plugs OFTEN crack and weep oil onto the cam covers and exhaust). take the opportunity to have your cam covers retorqued while in there. none of this requires removal of the engine. it can be done yourself, but certainly don't have your current mechanic do it as he seems a bit too eager to drop your engine and take your money.
The Radium King is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2012, 03:11 PM   #3
Registered User
 
srad34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: North Lincolnshire UK
Posts: 102
Garage
Agree with the Radium king, far too often people see the badge and think its an excuse to double the cost!
Pretty straight forward job if you have ramps or if you can jack the car up.
Parts are reasonably priced in the UK so probably the same in the US.

Good luck and we are here if you get stuck
__________________
It will all end in tears I tell you.......
srad34 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2012, 03:22 PM   #4
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Miami florida
Posts: 1,591
As radium said, be sure its the cam covers that are leaking. If it is the cam covers, then buy the new micro encapsulated cam cover bolts and replace all the bolts along the bottom of the cam covers, I believe its 3-4 per side. Take them out one at a time and goober the bolt with gasket maker (permatex red or equivalent) from the middle of the bolt to the head. More is more. Then re-install them and torque them to spec, do not overtorque.

I had a cam cover leak that dripped enough oil onto the exhaust that it smoked. After doing the above, it just barely weeps oil occasionally. Not perfect, but much cheaper than taking off and re-sealing the cam covers.
__________________
Current car

2000 Boxster 2.7l red/black

Previous cars

1973 Opel Manta
1969(?) Fiat 850 Convertible
1979 Lancia Beta Coupe
1981 Alfa Romeo GTV 6
1985 Alfa Romeo Graduate
1985 Porsche 944
1989 Porsche 944
1981 Triumph TR7
1989 (?) Alfa Romeo Milano
1993 Saab 9000
san rensho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2012, 04:27 PM   #5
Theoretical propagandist
 
Eric G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 793
Garage
TRM hit it on this one on the head.
__________________
When life throws you curves, aim for the apex...
Eric G is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2012, 11:56 AM   #6
Certified Boxster Addict
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
+1 on replacing spark plug tubes. I was sure (and so was my local Porsche dealer and a indie shop) that my oil seepage was coming from the cam covers but after replacing the spark plug tubes the seep disappeared.

Cam cover gaskets can be replaced with the engine in place but its a real PITA so most shops want to drop the engine to make the job easier and to ensure that they do a good job the first time.

__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
thstone is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:42 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page