JPS

Well the thread wasn't meant to be about the pros & cons of winter storage, as I have just followed what many said they do in the colder climates. That aside, next month after the thaw I'll take it in.

NP993

Why not just look at the underside of the engine with a flashlight? About as easy a DIY as it gets.

JPS

Guys, of course I looked underneath. Of course I see a bit dripping. The Q, before hijacked a couple times, was simply if that was something that sometimes happened after sitting and a cold winter. The answer came back no, so I will take it in. Thank you.

clubsport1

Any follow up on this issue?

I hope you sorted it out easily, I wondered what the cause of the leak was after the car sat idle for a while.

I looked at a rarely used 993 the other day that had a leak, not from cam cover gaskets...

Cheers.

JPS

About $4k worth of engine out seal replacement. I went for it:

A) The oil was actually hitting the ground. My other 911s have seeped and I've lived with it. Never dripped though
B) The leaky seal required an engine out anyway
C) I track it and dripping oil seemed like a bad plan
D) I plan on keeping it awhile.

clubsport1

Ouch!

It sounds like you did the right thng..

Do you recall which seal it actually was?

Hope you are enjoying the car now it's back to full health!

ygmen313

once you remove the tray, you will be able to see where it is coming from. most probably is lower valve gasket, which is what i had just replaced, noticed from an oil leak, drivers side.

clubsport1

The lower cam cover gaskets are obvious.....it's when they are dry it becomes more challenging!

At worst it is leaking from the heads and that is serious expense, at least by my meagre stndards of expenditure.

JPS

I believe it was cam cover but I'd have to look at the receipt.

They did say they could just replace that one, and might be able to just sort of lower the engine, if I recall correctly, but their point is that the labor wouldn't be all that much less to just drop it, and then replace all the 17 year old seals...seemed rather logical. Yes, I probably could have had a wait and see, and probably been fine for awhile, but I just didn't want oil actually dripping or to have to go back in next year for another seal.