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Disappointing if the engine was recently apart, it should be pretty tightly sealed. But it is very common for the older cars.
Lots of possible culprits. Oil return tubes (those metal tubes visible above the heat exchangers, running from the heads to the engine case, or what is known as "the triangle of death" on the top rear of the engine. Hard to access with the fuel injection in place, back there is the crankcase breather, the oil pressure switch, and the engine oil thermostat. All are prone to leaking, and the oil runs down from above and drips from odd places. Hard to pin down that source.
Here is a photo that I borrowed from a Pelican thread on the issue:
But all of those should be newly sealed, so I would hope there is no leakage from there.
one would think/hope that the OE magnesium valve covers were updated with the later turbo's and received proper gaskets considering it was recently dropped.
Disappointing if the engine was recentlart, it should be pretty tightly sealed. But it is very common for the older cars.
What do you think
Here are the pics. Last ones are where I could see wetness
Lots of possible culprits. Oil return tubes (those metal tubes visible above the heat exchangers, running from the heads to the engine case, or what is known as "the triangle of death" on the top rear of the engine. Hard to access with the fuel injection in place, back there is the crankcase breather, the oil pressure switch, and the engine oil thermostat. All are prone to leaking, and the oil runs down from above and drips from odd places. Hard to pin down that source.
Here is a photo that I borrowed from a Pelican thread on the issue:
What do you think
But all of those should be newly sealed, so I would hope there is no leakage from there.
Disappointing if the engine was recently apart, it should be pretty tightly sealed. But it is very common for the older cars.
Lots of possible culprits. Oil return tubes (those metal tubes visible above the heat exchangers, running from the heads to the engine case, or what is known as "the triangle of death" on the top rear of the engine. Hard to access with the fuel injection in place, back there is the crankcase breather, the oil pressure switch, and the engine oil thermostat. All are prone to leaking, and the oil runs down from above and drips from odd places. Hard to pin down that source.
Here is a photo that I borrowed from a Pelican thread on the issue:
But all of those should be newly sealed, so I would hope there is no leakage from there.
If it's gear oil, it will have a strong odor. Much different than motor oil.
It seems to be coming from above. On your last photo, the transmission side cover looks oily on the side facing the engine.
If it's gear oil, maybe the side cover is leaking. That would be fairly easy to fix, unless the cover is warped. Take off the CV joint, drain the gearbox, take off the side cover, replace the o-ring, add new gear oil (Kendall non-synthetic 80W-90 or Swepco 201).
Engine oil coming from up there could be one of the three points in the triangle. Could be something easy, like the hose clamp on the breather hose wasn't tightened enough.
You'll need to let us know if you think it's gear oil or motor oil. My bet is motor oil.
OK so I brought the car (78' SC) into Eurosport in Bensenville. I needed the wiper fluid motor changed, warm start issue and to look into the oil leak. I dealt with Roy and Tony. Both are good guys and straight shooters. The car has a rear main leak that is not urgent at the time, but I was told to maybe fix it at end of season. I am getting a new fuel accumulator installed too. The opinion is that it IS in fact a very nice car. My last car was a 14 Cayman and just the front brakes cost me $1700 so even with the future rear main at approx $1500, it still seems cheap compared to owning a later model. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know what happened. I already can't wait to get her back.
Ha! I think that pic was one that I made and posted on Pelican.
"Triangle of Death" term coined by Draco. Protocol is to clean the motor as well as possible and start looking for fresh leaks. The nose bearing leak is a bizzotch to fix.
That's just the 911's way of marking it's territory
Thats a great way of looking at it. I was in my dad's late model mercedes, let me just say that I can't wait to get my car back! I drive past a supercar dealer every day, I see Bugatti's, Ferarris, Lambos and the occasional 911R and well newer cars won't do it for me anymore. I am ruined
04-01-2017, 01:35 PM
