PDACPA

My 89 911 3.2 has a severe oil leak. I have not been able to trace it, but everything runs fine, but the oil leaks out (even while running) once parked. The leak tends to be mostly in the rear and just under the center of the engine.

Smokes pretty good on start up and does (but to lesser degeree) when running. NOt sure if this is cause the oil is burning off or not.

Can anyone direct me at what to look at in tracing the source of the leak?

Thanks

(at the office or would snap a few pictures to show the engine. Engine compartment is very clean)_

ron mcatee

Sounds like the crankshaft seal just about the muffler.

Norske

+1 Take a light and look below the crankshaft pulley. If you have fresh oil there, it is the crankshaft pulley. There is a hole in the bottom of the sheet metal to allow drainage. Most likely draining right on top of the muffler, hence your smoke.

PDACPA

Anyone have a picture? Not sure I will know, but going to search now.

ricster

could also be your oil tensioner lines.

rusnak

You need to clean the underside of the engine and then look for the trail of fresh oil. The most likely culprits are the oil return tubes, which this does not sound like, and the oil pres sender, thermostat, etc. If it were one of these then the oil would drip onto the cross exhaust pipe, which is more toward the front of the engine.

dshepp806

Verify the "top-side" culprits (as suggested) then head downward for other suspect areas...A good cleaning then watchful eyes, is in order.

Many sources for this leak and the traces can be a science to tune into with the whipping of the wind...you'd swear the leak is coming from a specific place, only to find it's from somewhere else.

Verify the top side items FIRST!!!

Many will chime on their experiences/knowledge......

Best,

Doyle

whalebird

any chance you just had an oil change? or at least added oil? If it overfilled with oil it can make a mess.

theiceman

if you have a UV or " blacklight" you can try adding some die and cleaning the engine. Thi dies usually shows up under UV and you can find your leak. Mine is leaking between the chain box and the cam carrier and it running down

old man neri

So, does it constantly leak after it has been parked or only just for a short time afterwards?

wildcat077

I cleaned the underside of my engine and gearbox with Gunk and a pressure washer last weekend
and finally discovered my oil leak... It originates from the oil cooler mounted around the tranny and engine,where i believe there is an "o"ring sealing the line "fitting" to the cooler itself.
Never would have pinpointed for sure without cleaning the area.
Although i will have to live with it until next year's oil change as i don't feel like dumping 12 liters of oil
to change a seal...
I always get a good whiff of Mobil 1 at traffic lights when it runs down onto the hot exaust !

theiceman

be very carefulll there because there have been reported fires from oil dripping on to the collection area where the three pipes come together. I would also look closely at the oil pressure switch, the breather cover and the Tstat oring , all are right above that and can dump a fair bit of oil.

rusnak

wait a minute, how many dudes are trying to fix their oil leaks in this thread?

On the 911SC and 3.2 911, oil on the cross pipe is proably originating in the Triangle of Death (T-stat o ring/ breather cover/ oil press switch). On 3.2 911s possible to fix w engine in the car. Sometimes oil dripping from a cracked crankcase breather. I would NOT WAIT to address this because when the oil pressure switch goes, you get a geyser of oil shooting out the top of your engine at 40+ psi, and a torrent of oil gushing on to your exhaust. Trust me, went through that twice on two separate cars.

PDAC, on yours, you need to clean or do the dye thing and trace the leak to its origin.

Amber Gramps

Did someone say leak?


Bad douglas bad

theiceman

Hey That's Ians gas leak .... from using a hose that didn't say "porsche" on it