Totally bizarre, was running great, FAST, at Little Talledega Grand Prix today when all of a sudden I was smoking really badly. The smoke was from oil that had leaked out onto the hot exhaust components, and came from the passenger's side cam chain cover.

Anyone ever hear of this? There are 2 cam chains, one on driver's side, one on passenger's side. The cover on the driver's side faces rearward. Looks like part #996-104-216-02, for the sum of $11.50 Oye!

Totally bizarre for the cover to come off, as it seems to be a "pressure fit" aluminum part, that's not really under much stress or pressure. Sure, the oil is under pressure that goes through there, but not much, as it's just to chain tensioner.

Hopefully the fix is simply a new cap/ cover, but a great track day was ruine. Car was running great up until then...
CATTMAN

 

let us know what will transpire out of it... hope it will be an easy fix.

 

Best wishes.

 

I have the car at my friend's shop, Decatur Garage. As we thought, when examined on the lift it looks like it's just that $11.50 cap/cover for the cam chain housing.

Turns out it's just simply press fit into place, not threaded and screwed in. These "pop" off with some regularity on 996's, but it's not as of yet considered an issue on 997's...hmmm...

Well, we'll secure it this time with some Loctite and hope it doesn't blow off again. If it does, a new air/oil separator is probably called for.

Here are some pics. The first shows the area where the cap should be, covering the end of the cam chain bolt. The next shows it with the cam in place.
CATTMAN

 

Glad to hear it was an easy fix.

Funny thing - I had some friends that were looking at the 4/25 date at Little Tally. I went once with them last year and they were about to lock it in when they found out that someone else had grabbed it!

 

Good to know.