997 oil leak - what am I looking at please?

[anonymous-user]

Excuse my ignorance but have a drip from the ? plug in the picture - at the n/s front edge of the engine. Picture taken from behind n/s rear wheel. I know it's not the main sump plug but it's dripping engine oil.
Thanks

[Geoff997]

Possibly oil pressure relief spring and piston held by that bolt. Simple cheap gasket change at next oil change will fix.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks Geoff
Mark

[ril7979]

looks the same as I had a few months ago, timing chain tensioner housing washer has corroded.
common fault, took mine to a local specialist as the engine needed to be set in correct position, he also changed the one on the other side. Took less than an hour.

[Polome]

Looks like the cam chain tensioner plug. It has a cheap ( £1.99) alloy sealing ring that disintegrates with corrosion. My 996 needed both sides done. Done at service time best as usually needs the oil drained first ( unless super quick in removing spring loaded plug , replace sealing ring & replace) as it can be messy. Book says camshafts/ crankshaft should be locked into place to prevent movement when cam chain tensioner released. No harm in trying to tighten plug , it may stop leak...mine didn't!!! Good luck.

[ril7979]

[anonymous-user]

Thanks. Just tried to nip it up but it requires huge socket - and my set only goes to 27mm. Anyone know what size it is?
Just had oil change

[Polome]

ril7979 said:

Funny that's exactly what mine looked like too...why do a company like Porsche use materials like this ( and unfortunately elsewhere on their cars) can't be good for reputation...first line in Porsche handbook " Porsche Engineering Excellence" !!!! I thinks size may be 32mm. Easy to measure as it's "AF ". ( across the flat ). Good luck.

[anonymous-user]

Polome said:

Funny that's exactly what mine looked like too...why do a company like Porsche use materials like this ( and unfortunately elsewhere on their cars) can't be good for reputation...first line in Porsche handbook " Porsche Engineering Excellence" !!!! I thinks size may be 32mm. Easy to measure as it's "AF ". ( across the flat ). Good luck.

Well, that's two things I have learned today