:censored: oil leaks
Discussion
after three months light use (was on commision sale) and an oil change, my '89 C4 has developed a leak from the crankcase/cylinder area on the right hand side.
after standing for about ten days there is a roughly six inch square patch of oil on my drive -
the car had a top end about 20k ago, so I'm a bit miffed that it is leaking already
few questions for you oil cooled lot:
1) are there any ways of fixing leaks without the full top end stripdown, as I think this will be pretty unnecessary? - or is it a case of getting used to the smell of burning oil
2) could the oil change have precipitated the leaks? (have heard that mobil 1 in a 100k engine is too thin)
3) is there any truth to the 'if you dont use it, it will leak more oil' argument? is so why?
cheers all,
BERGS
after standing for about ten days there is a roughly six inch square patch of oil on my drive -
the car had a top end about 20k ago, so I'm a bit miffed that it is leaking already
few questions for you oil cooled lot:
1) are there any ways of fixing leaks without the full top end stripdown, as I think this will be pretty unnecessary? - or is it a case of getting used to the smell of burning oil
2) could the oil change have precipitated the leaks? (have heard that mobil 1 in a 100k engine is too thin)
3) is there any truth to the 'if you dont use it, it will leak more oil' argument? is so why?
cheers all,
BERGS
Ditch the p*ss thin synthetic, these old air cooled engines just don't need it. Fill'er up with either a good quality mineral oil, or if you insist on spending your money, buy some semi-synthetic. JZM recommend Castrol Magnetec IIRC.
I've seen three engines (my 964 RS an F40 and a a high mileage VW engine) all smoke badly when filled with synthetic oil.
Previously they'd not smoked or burnt oil at all
I have to say that the "puddle" you describe sounds more than just a weep from a gasket (unless the ambient temperature has allowed the puddle to spread more than it would normally in cooler weather)
I've seen three engines (my 964 RS an F40 and a a high mileage VW engine) all smoke badly when filled with synthetic oil.
Previously they'd not smoked or burnt oil at all
I have to say that the "puddle" you describe sounds more than just a weep from a gasket (unless the ambient temperature has allowed the puddle to spread more than it would normally in cooler weather)
Yep - a fill up Mobil 1 0W-40 resulted in leaks from the cam-covers on my 993 turbo. Changed out the gaskets and went to 5W-40, no problems since. Others go further than that and choose the 10W or 15W grade oils - might be more appropriate for your car.
I'd say that it's worth a try doing just an oil change if the top end has been done reasonably recently, see if the leak goes away.
I'd say that it's worth a try doing just an oil change if the top end has been done reasonably recently, see if the leak goes away.
bergs2 said:
cheers fellas!
looks like trying some thicker oil could be the (short term) answer.
are there any other remedial steps that can be taken to stem the leaks?
(had a look last night and the 'patch' has turned into a bit of a puddle)
looks like trying some thicker oil could be the (short term) answer.
are there any other remedial steps that can be taken to stem the leaks?
(had a look last night and the 'patch' has turned into a bit of a puddle)
Well if it's the cam cover gaskets then gasket replacement is the obvious solution. These gaskets sit in an oil bath and deform and harden over time. Access to replace them is a pain in the butt so if you can get away with thicker oil and nowt else all the better, though I'd have to say that sounds doubtful given the size of the "square" oil patch. Still, the car might decide to be nice to you and once warmed up with thicker oil the leak may go away.
Best of luck.
Berg; sure it's not a leak from the oil pipes near the right hand side rear wheel arch? They 'go' after a few years and a biggish leak soon develops in that general kind of area. Could be mistaken for cylinder leakage... can you actually see where the oil leak is coming from?
And to reiterate, never use 0w40 mobil1 in a 964; use the 15W50 motorsport mobil 1 or it'll p1ss out.
And to reiterate, never use 0w40 mobil1 in a 964; use the 15W50 motorsport mobil 1 or it'll p1ss out.
Hi Bergs. My car has leaked oil for at least 6 years, gradually increasing over time so that I'm thinking about getting it fixed (I'm getting specks of oil on the rear deck after a quick run..)
It reliably goes away for a few days after a good hoon (Europe, Isle of Man etc., and then comes back with the twice weekly or so use the car gets after that. So it certainly is worth going for a brisk extended 'Italian Tune Up'
964's potentially leak from loads of places, so that as far as I can gather a top end is never an oil leak cure-all, although folks often assume that it is..
TBH unless the leak is making a real mess, you can spend alot of £ and heartache and all you gain is a spotless garage floor. The car's performance doesnt change just because it leaves a couple of drops..
Your leak sounds quite large and sudden - is it def not coming from an oil pipe or something?
I changed from Mobil 1 0W/40 to 15W/50 when my weep became a leak, with no discernible improvement - however, as 2 litres remain in the system after an oil change, there will still be some thin stuff kicking about even if you do change oils, and that will go for the leaky bit. Might be worth 2 successive oil changes?
What was in it before? I understand that suddenly going from long term mineral to fully synth is not a good idea because of leaks but also dislodgement of deposits..I wouldn't rush to put in bog standard 20/50 dino oil, however - espec if you drive the car hard. Maybe magnatec 10/40, altho Opie doesn't think its good enough for 911's..
Edit - Hi domster, simultaneous post!
It reliably goes away for a few days after a good hoon (Europe, Isle of Man etc., and then comes back with the twice weekly or so use the car gets after that. So it certainly is worth going for a brisk extended 'Italian Tune Up'
964's potentially leak from loads of places, so that as far as I can gather a top end is never an oil leak cure-all, although folks often assume that it is..
TBH unless the leak is making a real mess, you can spend alot of £ and heartache and all you gain is a spotless garage floor. The car's performance doesnt change just because it leaves a couple of drops..
Your leak sounds quite large and sudden - is it def not coming from an oil pipe or something?
I changed from Mobil 1 0W/40 to 15W/50 when my weep became a leak, with no discernible improvement - however, as 2 litres remain in the system after an oil change, there will still be some thin stuff kicking about even if you do change oils, and that will go for the leaky bit. Might be worth 2 successive oil changes?
What was in it before? I understand that suddenly going from long term mineral to fully synth is not a good idea because of leaks but also dislodgement of deposits..I wouldn't rush to put in bog standard 20/50 dino oil, however - espec if you drive the car hard. Maybe magnatec 10/40, altho Opie doesn't think its good enough for 911's..
Edit - Hi domster, simultaneous post!
Edited by johnny g-pipe on Tuesday 4th July 11:04
nervous said:
sleep envy said:
V - you may have a point there but what would it do to the engine at high temps?
most likely nothing. the amount of redundancy built into modern oils means that youd be really hard pressed to need the capacity and differential of mobil 1 over other oils.
could possibly be the non warranty fix then...domster said:
Berg; sure it's not a leak from the oil pipes near the right hand side rear wheel arch?
johnny g-pipe said:
TBH unless the leak is making a real mess, you can spend alot of £ and heartache and all you gain is a spotless garage floor. The car's performance doesnt change just because it leaves a couple of drops..
Your leak sounds quite large and sudden - is it def not coming from an oil pipe or something?
Your leak sounds quite large and sudden - is it def not coming from an oil pipe or something?
Hi chaps-
I'm fairly sure it isn't, as these were replaced by GT-One whilst the car was on sale at eporsch.
The oil appears to be leaking all over the right hand heat exchanger - then smoking when driven hard.
Its back in at GT-one later this week so I will find out their thoughts.... starting to think it should just be driven and forget about the aesthetics
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff