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Odd oil leak on driver side valve cover

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Old 11-11-2009, 05:09 PM
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Dean_Fuller
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Default Odd oil leak on driver side valve cover

After replacing ALL the soft hoses in the Power Steering system and rebuilding the PS Pump I am happy to announce that for the first time my car does not "mark" its parking place. Absolutely NO leaks....EXCEPT...on the driver side valve cover I am getting a very little blow back that doesn't amount to much but would like to make it perfect. What would cause this leak??? My oil pressure is 2.5 at idle and 5 on above that.

The PS leaks were so that I THOUGHT I needed to replace the oil pan gasket but after the PS repair and a good cleaning...looks like its good to go.

It feels good not to have leaks.
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Old 11-11-2009, 06:14 PM
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tveltman
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That black cap in the center has an o ring that rests inside the valve cover. It's held on with a C-clip on the inside of the cover. This o-ring will harden over time and will fail, resulting in leaking oil from that black cap area. I think I paid $1.50 for 4 o-rings (2 for each valve cover) and it fixed the problem. I think the rate of failure of these o-rings is fairly high, I think I replaced a set after maybe 10k miles, but it's a quick and painless job, so whatever.
Old 11-11-2009, 06:18 PM
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Dean_Fuller
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Thanks Thomas.
Old 11-11-2009, 07:16 PM
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worf928
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FYI: You have to remove the cam cover to replace the plugs' o-rings.

Some might describe that as quick and painless. On the driver's side, relative to the passenger-side cover, it is. Do yourself a favor and buy a bit ratchet if you don't have one.
Old 11-11-2009, 09:15 PM
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Dean_Fuller
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Thanks Dave...the intake, cam cover refresh is about all I have left right now. I have an extra set of cam covers to get powder coated...I need to find another intake so the refresh will be quick.
Old 11-12-2009, 12:37 AM
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tveltman
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Yes, I'm sorry. When I said quick and painless, I meant quick and painless for a Porsche 928. The rear cam cover bolts are a pain in the *** to get to, and there are a couple that I have to tighten and loosen with a hand allen wrench. Suxxorz
Old 11-12-2009, 05:25 PM
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This is good to know, as I am doing my valve covers this winter. Yesterday when changing spark plugs I noticed some oil starting to seap in two of the wells.

Thanks Thomas!

DaveK9
Old 11-12-2009, 05:52 PM
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Mike Frye
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Dave,

When you get those O-rings and the rest of your top-end refresh kit from Roger at 928sRus, get the extra washers that go on the valve cover bolts. There was some kind of service bulletin about them so I don't think they're listed in the WSM. They're very thin washers that will give just that little bit of extra clamping strength to squish the gasket and keep a good seal. The bulletin calls for installing them just on the bottom bolts (and maybe the end ones, I forget), but I did them all and have had no leaks.

The guys on here pointed me to that one, I'm just paying it forward. Good luck and keep us posted. Pics required for all engine jewelry and clean up work!
Old 07-17-2012, 09:35 PM
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saxmandan
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1987 928 S4
Car always leaked when I bought it.
Seems to be leaking more and from the top of the engine.
Does anyone know what it is and what to do?

Photos are attached.



Old 07-17-2012, 09:42 PM
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Speedtoys
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Originally Posted by saxmandan
1987 928 S4
Car always leaked when I bought it.
Seems to be leaking more and from the top of the engine.
Does anyone know what it is and what to do?

Photos are attached.
Holy Highres batman....


Top end refresh may be in order..a number of things in that area can slowly seep oil.

That hose clamp MIGHT be tight enough now...
Old 07-17-2012, 09:53 PM
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17prospective buyer
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LMAO Speedtoys at the hose clamp comment!! I love that kind of humour.
Old 07-17-2012, 10:20 PM
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Bill Ball
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OK, I think you want us to comment on the puddle of oil tha'st filling a small valley below the water bridge and may be dripping down from there. That oil is coming from the base of the filler neck. Most leak. The seal for the filler neck can be replaced when doing an intake refresh. Also, it's usually possible to remove the water bridge and neck without removing the intake.
Old 07-17-2012, 11:01 PM
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ammonman
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When you do re-seal the oil filler neck be sure to put a liberal coat of HondaBond/Yamabond/{insert your favorite aluminum friendly sealant here} bond between the base of the neck and the block. Even with a new o-ring many don't seal well and will continue to seep.

Mike



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