DB9 engine oil leaks.

[runner911]

Had an insurance job done on my 05 DB9 yesterday at Grange Exeter.

The Technician who carried out the work also conducted a " health check " on the car.

One issue raised was " engine oil dripping front frontal area. Requires undertray removal to inspect. NOT COVERED BY PLUS POLICY."

I've had a look this morning and true enough the slats on the bottom engine cover look as if they have had oil on them which has now dried with dust etc.

Are DB9 engines renowned for being leaky ?

[michael gould]

V12 engines are known to leak from timing chain covers which drip into the tray.....my cover gaskets were replaced twice under warranty.....Rick at DMS always said that 90% of this problem culd be cured by a nip up on the cover bolts

[paulrog1]

michael gould said:

V12 engines are known to leak from timing chain covers which drip into the tray.....my cover gaskets were replaced twice under warranty.....Rick at DMS always said that 90% of this problem culd be cured by a nip up on the cover bolts

Has anyone got any experience in the above???

[BamfordMike]

Yes, probably more than anyone.

Exact place of leak needs identifying to establish fix options.

Nipping the bolts seldom works, there is a specified torque setting for a particular bolt / particular pitch thread, go beyond that and all that will happen is pulling out of threads instead of increased clamping load.

If leak rate is beyond manageable (saturation of ancillary components / belt screech or drips of oil on garage floor) a proper fix (engine out) is only method to fix. Is 30 hour job minimum plus seals, consumables and fluids

[mcm66]

runner911 you still OK!

[medieval]

30 hours, oh good grief

[craig elam]

didnt maverick v12 get his timing cover off with the engine still in?, im sure there was a picture on his "db9 engine rattle" thread

[BamfordMike]

craig elam said:

didnt maverick v12 get his timing cover off with the engine still in?, im sure there was a picture on his "db9 engine rattle" thread

if attempted in that way, the front cover will inevitably scrape over the sump seal and compromise it, when put back together will probably leek from another place and would of taken circa 15hrs for a fix that will take 30 more hrs. Do it right - do it once!

[yktree]

Hi Mike, Big fan of yours. Do it right the first time is what we all try to do. As you have pointed out, many of us DB9 owners have experienced this timing cover oil leak anywhere between 10-50K miles. This V-12 was sealed under factory conditions that is as good as it can be as far as space and no contamination. Why does it leak? If we j just replace the orignal seals, we should expect another leak shortly. Has AM come up with a solution to this problem? Based on what you have seen, it the oil leaking from the rubber seals or seal tips at the sump or valve head? Appreciate any information you can share. Best,

[mickyh7]

Go on then, what's the cost at an AM specialist @ 30 hours labour?
Far too much I'm guessing for a few drips of oil?

[pancholi]

is it really a leak or it it a drip/seep?
2 very different things.

also when the oil filter is removed for service, it drops a lot of oil that is caught in the tray. if this try is not cleaned, the caught oil then keeps dropping the oil.