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Oil Leak from front

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karlj0

New member
Can Anyone Please Help ?

Ive noticed a small oil leak from my 97 Boxster 2.5 which seems to be coming from the front just in from the front passenger side wheel under the flush panelling. It only seems to drip when ive been driving and then stops once it has been parked for a short while. I dont think its the brakes as the fluid level is still full.

I was wondering if it is something i can trust a local garage to look at or whether it means another expensive visit to my porsche garage.

The wierd thing is that it looks like engine oil even though i thought everything oily was at the back.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
 
Shouldn't be oil - as you said, this is all behind the passenger compartment. In that area it could be one of 3 things:
1. Brake fluid
2. Coolant (radiators are at front, piping is in that area).
3. Screen wash (the screen wash tank is on the passenger side).

See if you can tell by smell what it is - coolant should be easy to recognise, so should screen wash. Brake fluid doesn't have much smell and can look oily.
 
It is definitely oil/lubricant based as it is leaving greasy marks on my driveway.
Unfortunately i dont have a ramp or a trolley jack to investigate further.

I think I might risk popping it down to a local garage tomorow to get them to take a look.
Ill keep you posted.

Cheers

Karl.
 
shouldn't be oil - as you said, this is all behind the passenger compartment. In that area it could be one of 3 things:
1. Brake fluid
2. Coolant (radiators are at front, piping is in that area).
3. Screen wash (the screen wash tank is on the passenger side).
Click to expand...

I'd check your power steering fluid level.

JCB..
 
That did cross my mind but when i lifted the front lid all i could find was the brake fluid which seems fine.
Any idea where i will find the power steering fluid ?
 
You need to pop the engine lid - it's very easy to do and instructions are in the handbook.

Toward the front end of the engine is a small reservoir marked "power steering fluid" with a dip stick inside the cap.

JCB..
 
Leave the spillage on the drive and see if it eventually evaporates - if it's coolant it will (although it can take 24-48hrs because of the additives and leaves a slight stain). If it's brake fluid it'll take longer or stay there. If it's oil, it'll stay until you use a degreaser on it!
If you pour water on it do you get a rainbow effect? (oil)
As Greig says, the coolant has the most distinctive (& strongest) whiff.
 
I assume that Boxters have an oil cooler in the front same as 911's? Also transmission oil cooler if tiptronic. Therefore leak maybe from feed pipes. I apologise if this theory is complete bo****ks.
 
Its all a bit wierd.

The leak seems to slow down & eventually stop once the car is parked up. I took it to a local garage (non porsche) and got them to lift the car up. After removing the underneath front panel there was very little to see. The leak is directly underneath the water sprayer bottle area but im certain it isnt water that is leaking out. The mechanic has told me to place a bowl under the leak tonight to try and establish what the liquid is. Tonight im also going to try and fathom out how to get to the power steering fluid level indicator to check levels which im told is in the engine bay somewhere. Mmmmmm Sounds like fun. Can think of better things to be doing on a friday night.

Anyway thanks for all the input up to now. I will keep you posted.

Cheers

Karl.
 
Geoff - I'm really not sure if there is an oil cooler in the front like 911. Would be interested to know though!
 
This could also be condensation from the aircon (if fitted). My Passat always leaves a small pool of condensate underneath particularly during the summer months. The Boxster is new so I have yet to see if it does the same. But it's a possibility, and would explain why it soon stops after parking because the compressor would warm up to ambient temparature.
 
I think i might be getting somewhere.

The leak now seems to have subsided (and made a nice mess of my driveway) but having checked the power steering fluid level it is so low that it barely touches the dipstick.

The steering still seems ok though. Im not sure whether to just leave it or to add some more fluid to see if the leak returns. Alternatively i have seen a product called 'lucas stop leak' which claims to fix power steering leaks.

Has anybody tried it and is it a good idea ?
http://www.lucasoil.co.uk/?page=products&subpage=product&product=16

also can i just put standard power steering fluid in or do i need something special ?

 
The level of the power steering fluid should be just below the "cold" level marking, when measured on level ground with the car cold (ideally before running for the day).
If it is this that's leaking it could be from a supply line between the reservoir and the steering rack - if these run past the area you said (front passenger side?) you are getting warmer! I am not sure where the lines are routed though.
 
No you cant put any power steering fluid in it, it must be Pentosin from the porsche dealer, anything esle and you wreck it


Glyn

 
Thanks Glyn

Ive picked some up from my local porsche specialist today and refilled it. The strange thing is that the leak had stopped even though there was obviously a little power steering fluid left in the system. Fingers crossed that the leak wont come back now ive added more fluid. Cheers for now.

Karl.
 
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