GJB928

As I tick off the list of issues to make my 1979 Porsche 928 euro 5sp a reliable driver, my next issue is an engine oil leak.

Here is my issue. I have a small oil leak at the gasket between the block and head at the number 5 cylinder. I put the car up on my lift and cleaned everything very good with de-greaser. I then put UV dye in the oil and started it up. What I found was a slight leak at startup when the engine is cold. Once the engine heats up the leak stops. It will only leak under pressure. So when you shut off the engine it is warm AND no pressure so no leak. When it cools it does not leak because there is no pressure as the engine is shut off.

So does the engine need to come out to fix that leak and if so should I just live with it? It is about 4-6 drips while the engine is heating up and expanding. I do hate oil leaks but maybe not as much as pulling the engine.

Also there is absolutely no water in the oil so that seal does not appear to be compromised.

In the attached picture you can see the faint trace of the uv dye to the left of the exhaust bolt and below the head/block seam. Between the light blooms.

Thoughts?

soontobered84

Can't really see from that picture, but are you sure it's not coming from the cam tower gasket? (Notorious oil leakers)

joejoe

My '81 had rear passenger leak (#5?) As I was doing all gaskets I pulled motor. When back together it began seeping a few month later. !st okie attempt was to use rtv to keep from dripping on exhaust manifold. This did work, but bottom of car began to get oiled and now there was a dime drip on ground.

I pulled motor again to do passenger side again. It can be done in car, just make sure not to mix lifters when pulling tower (they will fall out if not careful)

85euro928

That looks like it's leaking right where mine leaks, the corner of the cam tower. Apparently this is so common that Greg Brown had special gaskets made to combat this condition. I think Roger now seals them.

Simon928

I used to have a leak from my cam towers, and I just smeared some RTV on the seal where the leak was and that was the last I saw of that particular oil leak. It's on the underside of the engine, so unless you have a flashlight and a mirror you'll probably never see the RTV anyways.

GJB928

Yea, I wish it was the cam tower. That pic was taken from underside of car. The cam tower gasket is above the exhaust. The leak is under the exhaust at the head/block seam.

Grrr. I hate leaks!

MFranke

In meantime you might try smearing some black RTV to see if helps as a temp fix. Can always remove it later if changing the gasket.

LT Texan

No you don't!

I'd leave this leak alone unless you are up for an epic "while you're in there."

Simon928

If it works for the cam tower I can't see why it wouldn't work at the head gasket area. Worst case it doesn't do anything and you have to scrape away some RTV.