New oil leak...

[Allen K. Littlefield]

...has appeared around the cam cover gasket on the drivers side. No oil on garage floor but drop is hanging. Car has vibrated a lot when started on a very cold day this winter but stopped when warmed up. Any insight on what this might be and if you would have to drop the engine and disconnect the transmission for a repair/gasket replacement? Any idea of the cost? Car is a '02 2.7 TIP 47K plus miles on it.

AKL Thanks in advance.

[gerrygug]

Probably leaking cam cover gasket. Mine were leaking at 80K and repaired by dealer. Not sure what was involved but total bill was $790.00 under extended warranty.

Be sure to do them both at the same time or you will be back in there again.

[ppbon]

... spark plug tube can leak oil and make it appear as if it came from the head gasket.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

[Steve Tinker]

When I replaced my spark plugs a few months ago, I found the plug tubes to be dry but a weep from the valve cover was causing a dew drop of oil as per AKL.
The good old Bentleys manual show (I think) 23 securing bolts per cover - I tightened each one of them up an extra 1/8 turn and the slight weep has gone. I looked on the other cylinder bank but that was completely dry so I let sleeping dogs lie.....

[SeanZ4]

In Feb. '09 my '00 S with 38k mi. leaked on both sides when I returned home from skiing and letting it sit in sub zero temps. for a week. It was what the dealer (Scholfield Porsche-Benz-Jag) called the "cam tower seals" (?). They had given me a nice short-term, but all-inclusive wtty. when purchasing the car. They ended up having it for two weeks. They replaced everything, tubes, o-rings, cam seals, every single bolt. The itemized print out they gave me upon completion of all this was over 2 1/2 pages long! Plus they gave me a new Benz as a loaner and the Box was just a third/toy car for us. ...... Anyway, to answer your dropping the engine question. I asked the dealer the same question and his reply was that they did everything from underneath, but it was very tedious. I've seen a write-up either on Pedro's site or one similar on how to tighten all the cam tower bolts to stop leaks. I'll go look for it now.....

[Allen K. Littlefield]

Originally Posted by SeanZ4

In Feb. '09 my '00 S with 38k mi. leaked on both sides when I returned home from skiing and letting it sit in sub zero temps. for a week. It was what the dealer (Scholfield Porsche-Benz-Jag) called the "cam tower seals" (?). They had given me a nice short-term, but all-inclusive wtty. when purchasing the car. They ended up having it for two weeks. They replaced everything, tubes, o-rings, cam seals, every single bolt. The itemized print out they gave me upon completion of all this was over 2 1/2 pages long! Plus they gave me a new Benz as a loaner and the Box was just a third/toy car for us. ...... Anyway, to answer your dropping the engine question. I asked the dealer the same question and his reply was that they did everything from underneath, but it was very tedious. I've seen a write-up either on Pedro's site or one similar on how to tighten all the cam tower bolts to stop leaks. I'll go look for it now.....

I will see about tightening the bolts when I get it inspected at my local private Porsche mechanics shop in a few days. He says it can be done from below without dropping the engine but I will have to change the oil again and I just did that. Will monitor the leak and if the bolt tightening doesn't do the job (and the mechanic thinks it won't) I will have to bite the bullet and take it in. It might be the plug tube that is leaking and that can also be taken care of without dropping engine. Pros & Cons of a hidden mid engine design we have to live with.

AKL

[Trey T]

I am experiencing both valve cover leak under 40k. Anybody replace the gasket w/o dropping the engine?

went to porsche dealer and got quoted w/ rear main seal, front pads, and some other small stuff... came out to be under $6500... about $2900 just for replacing rear main seal.

[yimmy149]

Trey: I'd fine a reputable German auto shop in your area. My local dealer charges $158/hr for labor, and marks parts up 30% OVER list price.

If you are going to have the RMS replaced, I think it makes sense to do your clutch (and maybe flywheel if it's worn) and IMS bearing at the same time. I don't think the dealer will be interested in replacing the IMS bearing with a third party product, so you're definitely better off going to an independent for that.

-james

[jcb986]

Are you a PCA Member, if not, you should join. Larger network of Porsche owners who could direct you to a good indy in your location. I find dealers, just out-of-sight on their charges. I believe they rival heart surgeons and lawyers in cost.

[Trey T]

I don't like to have it at the shop when it's capable of having it repair at my own home. I have never worked on porsche but I want to see any DIY'ers on here that worked on it.

[Cloudsurfer]

Originally Posted by Trey T

I don't like to have it at the shop when it's capable of having it repair at my own home. I have never worked on porsche but I want to see any DIY'ers on here that worked on it.

You can certainly do the valve covers with the motor in the car, but it's not a fun job, and pretty much impossible if you can't get the car up in the air.