Porsche PHD (Steven) - I would really appreciate your wisdom here.

I discovered an oily area on lower cam cover edge (looks like it had been leaking for a few years - but never actually "dripped", just wicked to underside) under my 996tt motor that seemed to be coming from the right side cam cover, then took to dealer. They cleaned area to precisely locate and said to return - after a few drives I found that the actual area seeping is between the head and cam housing on the corner edge near oil tank drain hole. After 50 miles of driving, I can just start to see a tiny yellow shiny area of oil about 1 cm diameter (I would guess a single drop of oil's worth dispersed over casting). This 01 tt has 29K miles on it - I have to admit that I have never examined an engine this closely - is this amount of seepage within "normal" for these miles and this age tt? - surely there is some seepage eventually as a function of age and miles? What do you think?

Thanks,

Bond

 

No amount of seepage is normal..Period. These motors should not leak. Not ever. Sounds like the issue is either the head to cam or more than likely the chain to case. There is a gasket and o'ring that passes through that cavity. I suspect that is where it is coming from. It is a common issue. This is towards the front correct? Front of the motor (rear of car)

 

Seepage is towards front of car between cam and head - closest corner of motor to passenger seat, next to oil tank drain hole - I have added a little black area in one of your photos. Looking at the bare head in the photo, it seems like an odd place to have any seepage - wide area, low pressure.

Bond

 

Any chance of a porous casting issue here that I cam make a warranty claim on? (out of warranty for 10 months)

Bond