Bought my first 996 turbo a couple of months ago.
Car is in the garage, up on jack stands and has started what is going to be a 700hp ish upgrade.
Installing GT2RS intercoolers, Tial A28 turbos, injectors, fuel pump, clutch.
Maybe turbo inlet piping.

Anyway first thing I wanted to do was locate oil leak that has been leaving a small pool of oil under the right side of the engine.
So cleaned up the underside of the engine, started the car and left it idling for 10-15 minutes untill I saw first drop of oil.
The oil is coming from rear side of cylinder block..
Looks like it is the engine block to cylinder block gasket leaking on the side. But very little space between cylinder block and chain housing so it is hard to see.
Is that a common place for oil leak??
Or maybe something above cylinder block is leaking oil and the oil runs down the side of cylinder block..
Is there anything above the block that, if leaking oil, could cause oil to take that route?

I wasnt planning on dropping the engine and take it apart/rebuild, but if block gasket is leaking I guess I have to
But then again, then I have an excuse for building a bullet proof engine with upgraded rods, pistons, bolts and so on

 

Not sure about what could cause that but, if you are going for 700whp then it would be a good idea to upgrade your rods anyway.

 

 

It won't stop leaking..... As much as you wish it will. Learnt that lesson long ago.

The build likely had little to do with it. Just pull it apart, do rods, and wind the boast up to 2bar on the a28s and enjoy.

 

Take a good look because it can run down from higher up...Above this area you got, oil filter, oil filter housing, oil pressure sender etc and all those parts have seals or gaskets that can be replaced.....

 

Sadly this is more common than we would like. On the 997, they updated the gasket to a multi layer to solve the problem. This will need to come apart to fix, but as mentioned, look at the bright side, always a good time to put in rods and enjoy all the boosts.

 

I know a guy here who can help with that!

 

Thanks Sam
Looks like I will add rods to the shopping list

Will remove stuff above the engine block and have a look if anything leaking down on engine first..
Fingers crossed.

 

Good luck! In the end you have a bunch of guys here to help!

 

+1...

 

Thanks guys
I will have a good look on top of the engine.
I have to make my way to the injectors anyway..

If I end up dropping the engine, I will likely leave the car on my hydraulic wheelstands.
Is there any problems in having teh car standing on the wheels with crossmember removed..?
Is it better to have it standing on the jackpoints?
I always liked it better to work under my cars when on the hydraulic wheelstands

 

 

Check the top of the engine. There are 4 o-rings that seal the oil cooler to a casting that bolts to the block. When these start leaking, the oil pools on the top of the motor and eventually starts leaking down the front, back or both end of the engine.

This is somewhat typical of low mileage cars, as the o-rings do not get any oil when the car is sitting. They dry out and get hard. I just replace mine.

Later, Steve

 

My thoughts exactly

 

For reference, here are some pictures with the areas mentioned circled in red.