w00tPORSCHE

I've noticed oil spots from about one inch in diameter after most drives. Previous owner had Castrol GTX 20/50 and my mechanic has Shell Rotella T 15/40. Not sure if this change in oil viscosity has anything to do with it but I did not see this problem initially before the oil change....I think. Summers are hot in Eastern WA but temps not even hit 80's yet. I'm having angina thinking about this as my Porsche mechanic is 130 miles away.

ivangene

who told you use that oil ??

this could get ugly!
IIRC there are going to be 2 oils recommended... nothing more
VR1 20/50 or Brad Penn 20/50


hard to tell where its coming from (thermostat, oil line or ??)

it will need fixing but is not an emergency.....
as for the oil changes, we can have a party and I will teach you how if you dont know... its a worthwhile job, easy, and saves you $$$$ - trust me, you can do it

w00tPORSCHE

Ed, you know my mechanic. He's one of the best in your neck of the woods and lives/breathes Porsche's. I did not tell him anything. It's like going to the nuerosurgeon and telling him what type of gamma knife to use. That's the oil he put. " this could get ugly"..now I'm worried. With my schedule and upcoming travel to India, not sure how soon I can get to him. Yes you and I do need to get together for some basic DIY stuff. Thank you very much for your offer. The easiest way to find out if the leak stops is I guess changing to a 20/50 but there has got be some problem that leads to the leak right. Can it just be a result of changing to a 15/40 ?

ivangene

most likely the result of driving the car

seriously, its not a major deal, and I was just kidding about "being ugly" (I meant ugly for starting an "oil thread") relax

when you get back it can be looked at.... or I can take care of it while you are gone

wwest

Our '78 has just developed a leak in the hose, BRITTLE hose, between the oil reservoir and the engine mounted oil cooler. New parts on the way.

Ed Hughes

My guess would be, that if there were no oil leaks before, it could be the new and lower viscosity oil that may be working past a seal or something.

The key will be to see where it is coming from. It seemed to me you had a valve adjust done when you got her-maybe a v cover gasket is weeping.

That amount of oil would not be worth angina, but you may want to make sure it isn't the start of something larger. Work your way up the engine from the ground, and see if you can pinpoint the culprit.

ricster

Yes what Ed says. Might be a valve cover gasket. Hard to tell in the picture. By the way, not that much oil to have angina over lol. I like motul 15w-50 now. Full synthetic. Just my 2cents.

Tango635

LOL, this could be part 5 in the "icons that make a 911". Just kidding.

I have heard of several people that use synthetic oil then switch to Brad Pen and leaks go away. I'm sure those are more seepage than a real oil leak, but every little bit helps if doing a repair is not in the immediate plans and you hate oil drips like I do. So I second the recommendation of BP 20w-50.

theiceman

if your gonna get angina if a 911 leaks oil you better sell now

don't sweat the small stuff..

rusnak

It's hard to tell where that leak is coming from. I had a similar leak last year, the first time I drove in hot weather with the AC on. I was worried because it looked like a leak from behind the cam chain box. I tapped on it all over with a plastic hammer while the engine was still hot, and the leak went away. Has not been back since. These cars leak at the beginning of summer, almost always. And by the end of summer some of the leaks have gone away.

Leaks that require worrying are large leaks, or leaks from oil hoses. These can become gushers while on the road.

Helios59

Hi Amar,

Keep an eye on it, but it doesn't look bad from those shots.
When I got my car last year, the PO used Mobil 1 15W-50. I'd frequently get nickel and dime-sized drops here and there. I switched to 20W-50 Valvoline dino oil and no longer have leaks...next oil change I'm trying BP.

The other guys have a lot more knowledge than I do, but I'd venture to guess you have no serious problem here...

Plavan

Shoot... I leak more oil than that.

race911

Likely from the chain housing/cam tower--either the o-ring or the graphite gasket. And if you think that's bad, take a step back to the mag engine days................

Marlon Targa 86

Icons that make up a 911 icon: Part 5: OIL LEAKS

I had small oil leaks like that and they went away. Never knew what is was. Don't sweat it, I'd say.

Marlon

Edgy01

Prior to about 1978 a 911 leaked oil--fact of life. After the introduction of the aluminum cased SC 3.0 litre engines their propensity for leaking went down dramatically. However, you do have to stay on top of things by getting under the car periodically and tightening things up. I suggest the first solution is to clean the bottom of the engine first. I use a variety of methods but you want it cleaned off of whatever seeping or leaking oil that is already there. Once clean, you can determine better where the true source of the leak is. Most likely it is a seep, and no a leak. Tighten things up in that area and wipe it down and go drive some more. Do this over and over until you have all the seeps resolved. The key is simply knowing your car and staying on top of things. If you have a 911 from before 1978--just sell it. You'll never be able to stop all the leaks!! lol