2qwik4u

I've developed a few leaks on my 88 carrera , (could also be 1 leak that leaves 3 spots on the floor).
I would like to track where leak is coming from, however I would not be able to identify most of the parts like most of you here. Any suggestions?

thanks, leo

theiceman

clean it , put a die in the oil and use an ultravilet light to look for the leaks...

r911

valve covers

senders

breather cap

clean it; save the dye for later - just look at the cleaned areas and "follow the drips"

rusnak

Leo,

I agree w the above. Since you have an '88 it should be fairly easy to check for leaks. Try to find the previous thread recently about oil leaks. If you have a 13mm socket, you can loosen the AC compressor mounting bolts, pull it toward the centerline of the car. Then reach back and unsnap the airbox lid latches. With a small 8 or 9 mm wrench, and a 10mm socket, remove the airbox. Then remove the airflow meter (with the barn door in it). Then, you can stick your head into the engine compartment and look down at the top of the motor. If you see fresh oil, then it's the oil pressure switch or the thermostat o-ring. Replace both.

On the bottom of the engine, usual culprits are valve cover gaskets, as Randy mentioned, or the oil return tubes. Clean the engine with a pressure washer (underside) or scrape and wipe with towels and solvent (topside). Start with a clean engine and follow the oil trail.

2qwik4u

cool..what does oil pressure switch look like and where is o-ring?

2qwik4u

when I take off lower valve covers does oil spill out?

thanks again, leo

rusnak

I'm not saying this is where your leaks are coming from, I'm saying that these commonly leak, and if you have oil dripping onto the right-to-left exhaust pipe, then you probably have one of these three items leaking. You should check the crankcase breather tubes as well.

No, this is not my engine. I swiped this pic off of Pelican, and added the "artwork".

rusnak

Yes, that is why you do a valve adjustment with an oil change.

oldskewel

Yes! (see my response to your valve adjustment question on the other thread) You should drain the crankcase before removing the valve covers.

My thoughts on leak finding/fixing:
Assuming it's not obvious just by looking, do a quick cleaning to help narrow it down, then clean more carefully as needed to trace to the source.

When I got my '85 13 years ago, the oil return tubes were leaking. I replaced them with the split (2-piece) ones and have had zero oil drops since then. So my first choice for a leak cause is the oil return tubes.

If the lower valve cover gaskets are leaking, the easiest thing to try is just tightening them. But be careful, the torque spec is only 6 ft-lbs, so don't over-tighten.

butzip

Just jack the car up on the side you are removing and spillage will be minimal. no need to drain unless you're doing an oil change anyway.....

Ed Hughes

The most common leaks on a 911? All of them...

theiceman

Ed is right , and this is why you may find it difficult, especially if it is not pouring out , just weeping , you will find oil and the split at the crankcase halfs under the engine cause it will always leak down , don't forget, oil leaks between the chain box and the cam towersrunning down the chain box and base gasket leaks at the bottom of the cylinders.

abe

I am very lucky....when I bought my 83SC it would leak a drop or two every several days. After doing an vaulve job....it doesnt leak any more!!! My 68 MB 280SL... after 20 years of ownership I still find drops and drops and drops. Rumor has it that they leaked the day they were born....
abe

Jman6868

Looking to purchase this. Some of this looks common . Any thoughts