2qwik4u

put it away for the winter. I put the car away during the winter, I drive it, but very seldom, as opposed to daily during the rest of the year. When I drive it daily there are NO LEAKS at all. When I dont drive it I find puddles.
Is this common?

thanks, leo
nyc

theiceman

yup but i have no idea why. You will hear the seals drying out story which makes no sense since they are not dry if oil is leaking out and oil doesn't dry out anyway . But it is one of those strange 911 things.

Nine11

I found a few spots on the garage floor too. When I get a fresh oil change (usually before I put her away) I find a few spots.

Edgy01

This is extremely common for these engines. I found the magnesium case engines (pre-1978) leaked the most, while the SC and Carrera 3.2 engines (aluminum) leaked very little, even in the extremes of winter. I'm guessing you have a pre-1978 car.

Peter Zimmermann

Very common problem - the seals at the ends of the oil return tubes are allowing a small amount of oil to squeeze past. As the engine sits, unused, for days the oil in the reservoir (tank) back fills into the engine. When that happens the oil level in the crankcase reaches the oil return tubes, and they will leak if they're old.

This back fill does not occur on a daily driver, so, no oil leaks!

Cure: If your engine has original tubes they must be pinched in the middle and pulled out, which destroys them. Replacement tubes, which are expandable, are available to install and work perfectly. If your engine already has expandable tubes, sometimes, with great care, they can be removed, cleaned, and fitted with new seals (which are o-rings).

2qwik4u

thats correct, daily driven = no leaks at all!
my car is an 88

lfe132

Wow, Peter thanks for the explination. I have an 84 Carrera and over the Christmas holiday the car sat while I replace my intake gaskets/insulators and fuel lines. During this time there was a puddle of oil underneath. When I completed my job and started the car up the oil leaks disappeared. (my P-car is a daily driver).
Any ways thanks for the enlightenment.

justinsrx7

My '86 3.2 always dumps over the winter, but is completely dry in the summer when used. Great explanation Pete.

ago 85 carrera

I went away for a month to come back to my car with 2-3 drops of Swepco on the floor. I'm not worried about it for the reasons explained in this thread (the car just doesn't leak when used) but where might be sources of gearbox leaks? Just curious.

theiceman

i think they just get annoyed at not being used and want to let you know .. that's my story and I am sticking to it

Nine11

Yeah, my dog likes to take a leak on my carpet when he's annoyed too.