JonT

My 94 968 with 75k miles developed an oil leak. The best I can narrow down the source is dead center front bottom of the engine, coming from under the lower belt cover. The pic shows the amount of seepage 30 minutes after cleaning off the area, engine cold.
So...questions:
- Is there a usual suspect here?
- It looks like the lower belt cover is behind the crank pulley and cannot be removed easily--correct?
- any other suggestions for next steps?
- I assume if I remove the upper belt cover and the belts are not soaked in oil, then I should be safe to drive 85 miles to the nearest shop that can handle major things, like a leaking front crank seal?
thanks for input

ryan@usaimage.com

I would guess it was the front seal. I doubt it will soak you belts. You are right about getting the cover guards off. They are a pain.

968workaholic

Oil pump seal is the culprit. It is a time consuming job but not too diffcult. You shouldn't have any oil on your belts especially if this just started leaking

User 41221

When was the last time the belts were done on the car? Might as well use this as an opportunity to freshen everything up and then drive in confidence. No worries at all with driving the car to the shop, imo. I've seen people do a LOT worse and not suffer any consequences.

Have the shop do all the seals, not just the one thats leaking. Also, make sure they inspect the hydraulic tensioner, seems like more of those have been showing up seeping lately.

Regards,

lsinlv

I agree on the front crank/oil pump seal being the issue.

I would suggest you replace:

shaft seal
pump sleeve
sleeve o-ring

and while you are there....you may want to consider a complete front engine re-seal...as since you will be removing the TB and BS belts, your already there.....my $0.02

RajDatta

In order to get the rear belt cover off, you need to remove both balance shaft pulleys. It makes sense to swap both balance shaft seals in the front, along with their o'ring. I would also consider waterpump replacement while you are in there.
Good luck.
Raj

JonT

Thanks for all the ideas. Belts are less than 2 years and very few miles old. I do not see anything in the factory service manual about replacing the oil pump seal. I'll probably go with special service tool #96800$$1, the Visa platinum card, and have a very reputable, 968-racing, local club-supporting shop clean up whatever's needed in there.

Either that, or throw in a bottle of Bars Leaks
Jon

User 41221

The oil pump collar (or sleeve) is the likely culprit. It tends to develop a groove on it and causes the seal to fail. If you are dealing with a shop that has *any* experience with 944/951/968s, trust me, they will know this and replace it. Typically, any car that I am doing a "first" belt service on receives a new one, and it typically will stay leak free for approx 100k miles (you still have to replace the seals in between tho).

Regards,