rehansamee

Hi

I recently had all front engine seals replaced. Immediately after delivery I noticed a small oil leak and took the car back to the Porsche specialist who had changed the seals.

Investigation revealed a leaking crankshaft seal. Further investigation revealed a slight score along the smooth circumference of a geared part (i.e. the smooth bit behind the notched end) attached to the end of the crankshaft -- I assume this gear drives one of the belts. A new geared part has been ordered and I get the car back next Tuesday. The mech says this scoring is old (i.e. before I bought the car) and should have been spotted when they first changed the seal prior to delivery.

My question is: what is the likely cause of the scoring all around this part? The mech says likely cause is something from outside lodging itself under the seal -- my concern is bits of metal floating around inside the engine from wear, although the oil feels very smooth and the engine is quite strong with no funny noises.

Has anyone else come across this problem in their experience?

Best regards,

Rehan

Joe Jackson

Very common problem. Replace the sleeve and you'll be fine. Any sleeve that turns inside a seal like the crank setup will get a groove worn in it over time from dirt in the oil. It's unavoidable. Good luck with the car.

Steve in New Hampshire

Yes, indeed, I have a sleeve (complete with deep score) and seal sitting on my desk...I would think it wise to replace the sleeve as part of the re-seal/timing belt job every time. I was amazed at the amount of oil that blew through mine! And yes, it went 2 weeks after I had my timing belt done by a Porsche "Specialist". Doing it myself from now on!!

-Steve

pete944

Question: If the sleeve is scored would oil be all over the bottom of the engine compartment? The reason I ask is that I just did a front seal job (didn't replace the sleeve) and I still have a leak but it's only on the passenger side. I would think that if it was leaking at the crank it would spray both sides of the engine compartment. My leak is somewhere around the lower balance shaft. I'm going to replace the crush ring on the pressure sender. The cooler housing doesn't look like it's leaking.

Stan944

Pete: it's just a guess, but a leak on the passenger side could be explained by leaking gasket on the housing of the lower balance shaft.
Also the cooler housing would leak water not oil, although as you said, there is the oil pressure sender + oil pressure relief valve that could leak.