Black993

Just ordered a new o2 sensor and put it in the car the other day. I came out to the garage this morning and found a rather large puddle. The only thing I can figure is I (thought) I had to loosen a bolt on what I thought was a heat shield. I've put everything back together and tightened it up but its leaking pretty severely. This puddle is after 2 days of sitting.

any ideas on what to look for?

Dudley

Do you have a photo of the bolt you loosened by mistake? Do you normally run with the engine cover off? The engine cover can hold a bit of oil and hide a small leak.

This may also be a just a coincidence to your work on the O2 sensor. I can not see the source of the leak but just above your oil stained heat exchanger is the lower valve cover. This is a very common source of oil leaks and it can begin to leak at any time. The lower valve cover gaskets are easily changed.

Black993

Yes, the engine cover is normally off. I'm at work now but I will post a picture when I get home of where I was loosening the bolt. Like I said, I believe it was some sort of heat shield and I'm sure its a result of changing the sensor (or by-product I should say). I noticed a drop after on my finger when I was putting everything back together and trying to route the wire through the factory mounting locations, but I thought I just rubbed something that had some oil on it. I have a leaky drivers side valve cover gasket but the passenger side (where the new leak is) has always been bone dry. The leaky side has never left a drop, just can smell and see some oil residue and this new leak is pretty substantial for the car

In the above picture you can see it collecting on the joint of the exhaust system.
Also the bolt that is in question is a bit to the left in the bottom image. not directly above.

Jay993turbo

That looks like a valve cover leak.

Black993

hmm, i'll have to check it when i get home. I know for sure I didn't loosen anything around the valve cover. I'll get home and post some pictures

Svaha

Did you lift the car by the engine?

Black993

nope, i did the change w/o lifting the car

lruss

svaha, are you not a fan of lifting the car by the engine ?

lruss

sorry, Mark with my old girlfriend!

Svaha

I believe I started a leak lifting by the engine. Long-term I want a mid-rise scissor lift in my low ceiling garage, but for now I still lift by the engine to get up on four jack-stands. It seems the experts agree that it is fine practice. Laurie I washed her up and took some pictures to send you.

Dudley

A couple of reports of the oil leaking caused by lifttng from the engine. I think the oil came from failed engine mounts. These are not a big deal to change if it is the cause. A scissor lift is a great tool, the price has come down and they are the price of a good set of tires.

lruss

hijacked thread but im looking fwd to seeing the photos Mark and also hunting for a scissor lift - if you come accross any good deals let me know.

Dudley

How about this:

http://www.completehydraulic.com/tcpl6.html

http://www.pacetools.com/Products/VMR-6S

There are a number of distributors of this lift but for the most part they are made in China.
This lift looks identical to the lift I purchased for $300 more.

Here is one from Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91315

I almost forgot, check on additional shipping charges to a residential address before you order. BTDT

993inNC

Looks more like its coming from the chain covers than the valve covers.....to me. And should be completely coincidental. But that is a good bit of oil to just appear

cabrio993

Did you happen to top the oil that same day? If you overfill it, that's usually the mess it makes if it overflows from the filler neck, and travels down to the valve covers, and onto the exchangers.

Lot's of white smelly smoke too. Ask me how I know...