AOS boot/ bellow failure?

[professorman]

I see some oil dampness on the right side of my engine. I think the lower boot bellow for my AOS is leaking.

Is that something that can be changed easily? Or does it require the entire AOS to be removed?

I don’t think I have a bad AOS. It was changed at the dealer 2 years, 15k miles ago. I have no symptoms of AOS failure.

2001 Boxster S

[78F350]

First, I'd remove the wheel and check if the leak looks more like it's coming from a spark plug tube.
My opinion - The bellows is the difficult part of swapping the AOS. The rest of it is easier to reach. If it's possible to install the bellows with the AOS still installed, it would be a lot more work than removing it and installing it correctly.

I did this video a few years ago and it may help you visualize the situation.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by professorman

I see some oil dampness on the right side of my engine. I think the lower boot bellow for my AOS is leaking.

Is that something that can be changed easily? Or does it require the entire AOS to be removed?

I don’t think I have a bad AOS. It was changed at the dealer 2 years, 15k miles ago. I have no symptoms of AOS failure.

2001 Boxster S

Yes, these boots can and do leak. If yours is leaking, yes you have to remove the AoS to get a it, and I would HIGHLY recommend replacing the AoS along with the boot, and ONLY USE THE FACTORY AoS, NEVER AN AFTERMARKET UNIT.

[professorman]

Originally Posted by 78F350

First, I'd remove the wheel and check if the leak looks more like it's coming from a spark plug tube.
My opinion - The bellows is the difficult part of swapping the AOS. The rest of it is easier to reach. If it's possible to install the bellows with the AOS still installed, it would be a lot more work than removing it and installing it correctly.

I did this video a few years ago and it may help you visualize the situation.

Thanks for the video. That gives a lot of context.
My full AOS was replaced by the dealer 2 years 15/miles ago. All the rubber should still be good and not hardened. I am thinking of maybe re-seating the clamps. Maybe something is up with the sealing surface.
I would hate to think that OEM parts installed by the dealer failed so quickly.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by professorman

I would hate to think that OEM parts installed by the dealer failed so quickly.

It would not be the first time................