What is leaking oil? (Pictures inside)

[Walorus]

Just recently had an oil leak after changing the oil filter. Thought it might be the filter, but it seems dry. It seems to be leaking on the backish right side. I took two pictures: - Album on Imgur

It almost looks like that pipe is dripping oil. Any ideas as to what it is?

I took some pictures from the top of the engine and I'm wondering what it could possibly be. It's a 986 porsche boxster.

Here is an overall view, the red is where it looks wet and the purple is where it's dry. http://i.imgur.com/Q86Vlwp.jpg

It seems to be mostly wet on the driver side, but there is a small part on the passenger side which is a tiny bit wet. The far passenger side is dry though.

[This is the passenger side of the engine](http://i.imgur.com/FcshPJX.jpg) It's hard to tell but it is dry.

[This is the driver side of the engine](http://i.imgur.com/wudSFsd.jpg) which you can compare and see it's quite wet. [Another view of the driver side](http://i.imgur.com/1Mz4wDa.jpg)

And this is the tubing that looks like it connects to the power steering where a [part of it looks a bit wet](http://i.imgur.com/uHvKGPX.jpg) compared to the rest of the tube

Any idea as to what could be the problem?

[Timco]

Difficult to tell from those pics. Maybe spark plug tube or AOS above all that.

[Walorus]

I took some pictures from the top of the engine and I'm wondering what it could possibly be. It's a 986 porsche boxster.

Here is an overall view, the red is where it looks wet and the purple is where it's dry. http://i.imgur.com/Q86Vlwp.jpg

It seems to be mostly wet on the driver side, but there is a small part on the passenger side which is a tiny bit wet. The far passenger side is dry though.

[This is the passenger side of the engine](http://i.imgur.com/FcshPJX.jpg) It's hard to tell but it is dry.

[This is the driver side of the engine](http://i.imgur.com/wudSFsd.jpg) which you can compare and see it's quite wet. [Another view of the driver side](http://i.imgur.com/1Mz4wDa.jpg)

And this is the tubing that looks like it connects to the power steering where a [part of it looks a bit wet](http://i.imgur.com/uHvKGPX.jpg) compared to the rest of the tube

Any idea as to what could be the problem?

[epapp]

In that area on the drivers side, there is the oil level sensor and oil temperature sensor (two sensors in one package), and it bolts to the top of the crankcase just underneath the drivers side intake plenum. I would stick a light/camera under the plenum and check it out. You will have to clean everything first to easily track the leak down .

[oldlace]

I had a leak and two dealers pushed for rear main seal replacement..$$$$$. I replaced the spark plug tubes @80, and never had another problem. There is a plastic washer in each tube which deteriorates over time and allows oil to escape. So, depending on the age of your car you might take a look.

[jaykay]

Ahhh i think RMS vs tubes should very distinct. you should find another service centre. I have had both. I managed to dislodge an RMS on the track....its a drip 6 o'clock bell housing area. You know right away it's something that ends in MS.

Weekend shot ...roll it into a shop and drop the trans and pan..

Tubes will ooze first and it should very clear that they are the source.....unless there is oil everywhere after leaving it too long. I doubt you could ever duplicate that 6 o'clock death drip

[epapp]

OPs leak couldn't possibly be the plug tubes as the leak is on top of the crankcase....unless he drives in another galaxy with reverse gravity

[Timco]

Originally Posted by epapp

OPs leak couldn't possibly be the plug tubes as the leak is on top of the crankcase....unless he drives in another galaxy with reverse gravity.

It's a little early to start ruling out these distinct possibilities. Once we know OP's location and route to work, we can rule that out.

[The Radium King]

is it oil or power steering fluid?

[jcslocum]

Originally Posted by The Radium King

is it oil or power steering fluid?

Both are oils and once dirt is mixed in, it's very hard if not impossible to tell.

There some very cheap small USB cameras that can be useful for trying to find these obscured leaks.

[The Radium King]

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/37647-oil-top-engine.html

[flaps10]

Originally Posted by jcslocum

Both are oils and once dirt is mixed in, it's very hard if not impossible to tell.

There some very cheap small USB cameras that can be useful for trying to find these obscured leaks.

Yeah but they taste different.

I'll be $2 it's the oil filler tube connection, or one of the two (probably the cheezy blow molded piece that connects the trunk to it) has a crack.

[epapp]

Originally Posted by flaps10

Yeah but they taste different.



I'll be $2 it's the oil filler tube connection, or one of the two (probably the cheezy blow molded piece that connects the trunk to it) has a crack.

That would cause a leak on the top of the crankcase...on the passenger side of the engine. OPs leak is on the drivers side of the engine.

PS fluid is an interesting idea. Smell the dam liquid and report back.