Oil Smell
 

We have a 1998 Boxster which has started to smell of oil but not all the time, sometimes it drops oil onto the drive next there is nothing usually when it is at running temperature
looking from the rear of the car it is on the left hand side of the engine

OK. Smell of oil. Is it a burning smell... or general smells like oil smell?

Have you gotten under the car... you know... poked around to see from where the oil might be coming?

Drops oil? OK. Are there just 'drops' or is a puddle evident?

Do you have a question?

Details, man. Details. :cool:

The smell of oil is when travelling along and at running temperature, the oil is drops on the drive not puddles but for both symptoms it is not there all the time

It is not possible for someone on a forum to tell you where the oil is coming from.
Any answer would be a guess. Other then saying it is transmission oil or engine oil.
That is as close as one can get without a visual inspection.

You should either jack it up and do a visual.
or take it to a shop that has a hoist and have it inspected.

Quick things to consider when you look....
1. Spark plug tubes and tube O-rings. Oil will leak from the tubes and may cause your smell.
Easy DYI.

2. Take a look at axle boots. If axles are torn, you will through grease around, including onto the exhaust manifold. My experience with this is that I really didn't smell it until I would stop, not so much when driving.

I don't think it would be much to the left side, but a common oil drip is from a reused or non-existent crush washer on the oil plug. Have you had the oil changed recently?

Hi,
if your car oil is a leak be careful.
An oil leak is dangerous for two reasons. First, if it hits the exhaust, a fire could result. Also, a low oil level could damage the engine. ... An oil leak from a bad gasket or seal can cause problems, such as oil dripping on the timing belt or the crankshaft seal.

It's a 986 not 944, there is no timing belt