Sump oil leak - quick fix?

Guest · Feb 4, 2004

My 944 turbo has developed an oil leak from the sump. No big deal as leaks go, the quantity is tiny BUT it drips onto the exhaust so at rest the cabin quickly smells like your local chippie and my friendly garage guy is concerned about the whole deal going up in flames!

My friendly garage guy is also quoting over £1000 to remove the sump and fix the problem. [

] Currently, we both think the best solution is to fix a patch of metal to the underside to deflect the drips away from the exhaust. Not pretty but economically appealing!

Has anyone had this problem and found a better way?

Kevin Welch · Feb 4, 2004

Hi Daro and welcome,
Im sure there are people here who can come up with a solution to your problem. Can you supply a bit more information ? E.G. whereabouts is the oil leaking from and what does your friendly garage guy think is causing it ? £1000 seems a lot for taking a sump off.

Guest · Feb 4, 2004

Hi Kev,
Thanks for that super-sharp reply.

Sump leak seems to be from the corner area above the exhaust where sump meets block (some clown, prior to my purchase, has tried to cure it by stuffing silver paper in the crack!).

The problem is that (without some trickery we don't see) you don't get the sump off without dismantling a load of other stuff which takes lots of expensive mechanics time. It's either that or take the engine out (not a real cost-cutting exercise)! [X(]

Really frustrating for a piddling little leak!

So, I'm relying on the massed expertise of all you experienced 944-nuts to come up with the magic[8|]

Regards,
Daro

Fen · Feb 4, 2004

I don't know how much clearance there is (I also had a leaky sump, but mine is a 6mm hole in the bottom [

] so my engine did come out), but can't you drop it a bit and get some liquid gasket in there as a temporary fix?

Diver944 · Feb 4, 2004

Clarks Garage has a DIY guide if you'd like to try it yourself:

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/lube-06.htm

but allow 12-14 hours for a DIY job on Turbo car. £1000 does seem very expensive, as a proper mechanic will take less time say 8-10 hours, and at say £50 an hour thats only £500

It may be worth trying one of those 'stop leak' oil additives in the short term, that are supposed to swell seals and gaskets and reduce the leak. I have only used these in a Rover K series engine but it did work. I'd do some research before sticking it in an expensive Porsche engine [

]

Guest · Feb 4, 2004

Totally agree with Paul, £1000 is way way too much for a job like that, OPC would prob not charge that!!

Even 10 hours is quite alot of time, and £50 is top wack for an independant, so £500 max prob closer to £300 to take off sump and renew gasket especially if its an independant who has done the job many times before.

BTW i very much doubt it would go up in flames, sound abit like the guy needs a quick £1000 deposit for his summer hols to me!! I have a few leaks but not bothered about the and yes one does hit the exahust and smell abit, but thats the worst thing about it.

John Sims · Feb 4, 2004

Hi Daro,

Mine does exactly the same. It drips onto the Turbo cross pipe on top of the bolt on the cross pipe. Initialy I thought it was the rear bearing, but it seems like it is just the sump. It is more obvious when I haven't used the car for a few days as I guess it allows more oil to drip.

It is a bit anoying, and can smell a bit rank, but I can't see me spending £1K to solve it.

944Turbo · Feb 5, 2004

read somewhere - I think it might have been a 928 article about 'tweaking up' some sump bolts to stop sump leaks - worked on my camshaft cover which was leaking at one end - don't go to tight the threads are only soft,
Tony

Guest · Feb 5, 2004

Thanks all of you, that's really helpful.

Pauls DIY guide from Clarks Garage pretty much puts the job in context. DON'T GO THERE

Agreed, £1000+ is silly money to spend on getting rid of a slight leak so we're going the easy (cheap) route and attempting a baffle to send the drips anywhere but onto the exhaust.

If anyone's interested, I'll let you know how / if it works.

Dave

John Sims · Feb 5, 2004

I have come to the conclusion that the oil will smoke off or evaporate before it ignites, so I don't think it is a serious hazard.

I also rather like the smell of hot oil. It has motor racing connertations. I do use expensive fully synthetic oil though and that does smell better when it gets hot - not as good as Castrol R though. [

]

Fen · Feb 5, 2004

Oooooh! It's almost worth having a little bottle of Castrol R dripping onto the exhast deliberately. Luvverly smell. Used to run an old Mk2 Escort on it and was always disappointed that it only smelled outside.

John Sims · Feb 5, 2004

It's almost worth having a little bottle of Castrol R dripping onto the exhast deliberately.

I can so relate to that. I used to run my Westfield on Castrol R and it was stunning how petrol heads would flock round it going "Ah...... Castrol R."

It just brings back memories of balmy days at Brands Hatch watching racing when men were men and it wasn't down to who can spend the most on computing power.

Guest · Feb 6, 2004

John, you're right. A tiny leak can't pose a serious threat.

BUT, the notion of oils smelling good hadn't struck me. A commercial opening here for someone who can produce smells to suit the mood and the moment. Until the next oil change I'll just light a joss stick.