laalves

For years now (5+), I have a small oil leak on my MY02 996TT Tip. Oddly enough, It has actually improved after I replaced the engine mounts (were and are Porsche originals) and the transmission support, also with a Porsche original.

I say the leak improved because I used to find drops oil on my garage floor and they were getting larger. After I replaced the above, they stopped...

Anyway, I'd like to take care of this, thus I'm posting a photo, hoping to get some clues of what should I be looking for, what is the most likely culprit considering where the oil shows up and what should I do to positively identify the source.

It clearly comes from the left side of the car, somewhere above on the rear side of the engine. What is there that can cause this?

DBJoe996

Left side, rear and above...the AOS.

808Bill

Do the Turbos have the same AOS as the m96?

laalves

Er... I believe the Turbo does not actually have one?

Imo000

Lift that corner up and start looking up until you find the spot.

laalves

After looking at the engine a bit more carefully, it appears it is the timing chain tensioner bolt that is actually visible in the photo. I was thinking it was coming from higher above but it looks like that bolt is the culprit. Looking at the parts catalog, I can identify it but can't see any o-ring. It looks like it has a crush washer rather than an o-ring though, unless there's one in a flange recess.

In 911uk.com, another fellow has the same but does not know the procedure to change this. Looking at the manual, all the mention is taking the complete assembly apart, engine removed. It would appear the camshafts would have to be locked.

I'm tempted to check the torque (the manual says 25Nm) but I won't until I learn more, camshafts are not the sort of thing I like to touch without knowing exactly what I'm doing and its consequences. Off course, torque check would only slow the leak, at best, if anything.

In the parts catalog, it is item 13 of illustration 103-15, P/N 993 105 275 52. It says "Information available", i.e, there is a related TSB. Anybody knows anything about this?