help on oil leak...
04-15-2014, 07:22 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
help on oil leak...
Can anyone offer help to identify this oil leak? This pic was taken from behind the RR tire...the oil is dripping on the muffler. You can see a drip of oil hanging from the bolt by the far right arrow. It seems to be coming from around the bolts (see arrows). It is also leaking from the additional bolts further towards the rear of the car. I'm gonna be taking the car in, but was just trying to get any ideas...thanks.
04-15-2014, 07:50 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
thanks...I'm ignorant on the procedure for replacement. So, in addition to the other side...are there any "while they're in there" things that should be done? Is this a $500 or $2000 task...?
04-15-2014, 07:59 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Hi Allen,
Yes, oil around those bolt heads is the tell-tale sign of valve cover gasket leak. Check pcar or pcarworkshop for the DIY and you can see the work involved. Basically, there are 11 (IIRC) cap screws, and 3 spark plug wires to remove, after which the cover is removable. New parts for install are the new gasket, and I would recommend replacing the cap screws, as well, if their heads look worn at all. The gasket is $10-$15 and the cap screw maybe $0.25 ea. There is nothing else I would replace as a while-I'm-in-there. When you remove the cover you loose a few ml of oil, but nothing serious. If you want to do it immediately it will not neccessitate an oil change. If you are planning to do this yourself, a search will show you how others have cleaned up the valve covers and mating surface on the engine, etc.
Yes, oil around those bolt heads is the tell-tale sign of valve cover gasket leak. Check pcar or pcarworkshop for the DIY and you can see the work involved. Basically, there are 11 (IIRC) cap screws, and 3 spark plug wires to remove, after which the cover is removable. New parts for install are the new gasket, and I would recommend replacing the cap screws, as well, if their heads look worn at all. The gasket is $10-$15 and the cap screw maybe $0.25 ea. There is nothing else I would replace as a while-I'm-in-there. When you remove the cover you loose a few ml of oil, but nothing serious. If you want to do it immediately it will not neccessitate an oil change. If you are planning to do this yourself, a search will show you how others have cleaned up the valve covers and mating surface on the engine, etc.
04-15-2014, 08:15 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
This will involve removing muffler and "bitch" bracket in order to remove the valve cover. I was quoted somewhere around 700. I did it myself and save $$ for mods.
04-15-2014, 08:33 PM
#7
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
I won't be doing it myself...I really don't like dealing with that type of work. I JUST got the oil replaced...in fact, at first, I thought the leak was overfill or the spillage. Maybe the shop can do it with out requiring a complete oil refill...however, many times shops aren't concerned about saving an oil change, if it makes the job easier. I will definitely get it done immediately...If my car isn't feeling well...I'm not feeling well. 
It's sad....but I'm actually not kidding 
It's sad....but I'm actually not kidding
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04-16-2014, 02:30 AM
#9
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I just did that work myself, including the lifters and spark plugs. So while you/the shop's in there, replace the plugs if it's time. Much easier to change when the covers are off.
Ed
Ed
04-16-2014, 11:54 AM
#10
It happened to me last spring. I did it myself but its worth taking it to a shop. I was lucky that I got all the bolts off without taking off the exhaust header, but a few of them were a little touch and go. I rounded two or three of the bolts but I was able to use an extractor to get them out. The exhaust header bolts looked pretty rusty and I bet one of them would have striped or broken if I needed to take them off, which means I would have been in a world of pain. So I would definitely recommend taking it to a shop. It should only take them one to two hours if none of the bolts strips or breaks. I think that's a risk I'm more than willing to pass on to the shop. Don't let them talk you into getting new billet valve covers unless the plastic ones you have a in bad shape. The gaskets and new bolts are all you really need.
04-16-2014, 02:20 PM
#12
u guys are going to freak out the OP, this is ludicrous
its a $20 repair that can be done on jackstands using less than 5 tools. the only thing you need to remove is the hose from the exchanger, and maybe the tire if you want to make it easier. there's no need for engine drops, plugs, muffers coming off, or $700 repairs.
OP this is a easy project to take on yourself or with the help of a local Rennlister
its a $20 repair that can be done on jackstands using less than 5 tools. the only thing you need to remove is the hose from the exchanger, and maybe the tire if you want to make it easier. there's no need for engine drops, plugs, muffers coming off, or $700 repairs.
OP this is a easy project to take on yourself or with the help of a local Rennlister
04-16-2014, 02:27 PM
#13
u guys are going to freak out the OP, this is ludicrous
its a $20 repair that can be done on jackstands using less than 5 tools. the only thing you need to remove is the hose from the exchanger, and maybe the tire if you want to make it easier. there's no need for engine drops, plugs, muffers coming off, or $700 repairs.
OP this is a easy project to take on yourself or with the help of a local Rennlister
its a $20 repair that can be done on jackstands using less than 5 tools. the only thing you need to remove is the hose from the exchanger, and maybe the tire if you want to make it easier. there's no need for engine drops, plugs, muffers coming off, or $700 repairs.
OP this is a easy project to take on yourself or with the help of a local Rennlister
Also, it's not clear that this is in fact a valve cover gasket leak. You said you just had the oil changed. Look up top to the fill tube area -- if you've got oil up there, it's an overfill/overflow situation and all you need to do is clean it up with some paper towels. After the first six quarts, you have to fill a 993 very slowly. Overflow is common, and even if it was cleaned up on top, you'll still get oil that seeps down below. So clean everything up, drive it, and then see if the valve covers are still leaking.
04-17-2014, 03:34 PM
#14
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
X2
Also, it's not clear that this is in fact a valve cover gasket leak. You said you just had the oil changed. Look up top to the fill tube area -- if you've got oil up there, it's an overfill/overflow situation and all you need to do is clean it up with some paper towels. After the first six quarts, you have to fill a 993 very slowly. Overflow is common, and even if it was cleaned up on top, you'll still get oil that seeps down below. So clean everything up, drive it, and then see if the valve covers are still leaking.
Also, it's not clear that this is in fact a valve cover gasket leak. You said you just had the oil changed. Look up top to the fill tube area -- if you've got oil up there, it's an overfill/overflow situation and all you need to do is clean it up with some paper towels. After the first six quarts, you have to fill a 993 very slowly. Overflow is common, and even if it was cleaned up on top, you'll still get oil that seeps down below. So clean everything up, drive it, and then see if the valve covers are still leaking.
