13 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHoil leak, your opinions please ** NOW WITH PICS**
Reported or suspected cause
sump seal
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
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0
Suspected cause
0
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Reported cause · Original poster
A friend had a similar problem, turned out to be the sump seal.
Leading evidence: 'sump seal' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'sump seal' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check slot alignment' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
Can you just undo the tensioner and remove it and replace the seal, or do you need to lock the cams first?
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
13 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
911uk: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261026T212127Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hi Guys,
ive owned my 1998 996 for 6 years. up to now, it has not had any signs of oil leaks. On its last service, they flagged up a slight leak.
The leak is directly under the engine, around 2 ft from the rear end.
When driven, there are spots of oil deposited on the rear bumper.
Once parked up, I have shoved cardboard underneath and there are drips immediately(in the same place, not in various spots)
When left overnight, there doesn't seem to be much more oil on the card (ie it seems it isn't leaking once its stood)
The engine bay itself is dry of oil.
could you give me any ideas what you think may be the culprit.
A friend had a similar problem, turned out to be the sump seal. Is this likely?
Cheers in advance
Chris
I would go with RMS as it looks like the leak is at the back of the engine/front of car and tracking along the sump.
As said before it needs a good clean then you might stand a chance of seeing where i's coming from.
I'd say RMS or the IMS end cover.
Mine was the IMS end cover.
It leaks from between the engine and box and oil travels backwards as you drive.
Sounds like its on the verge of dripping enough to warrant the box out.
Thanks for coming back with the diagnosis. I have a moist patch in the same area on my engine, can you tell me what was involved in the repair? Can you just undo the tensioner and remove it and replace the seal, or do you need to lock the cams first?
Hi Martin,
my mechanic did the job, so I cant help on that front unfortunately.
it was 1.5hr job, a seal and oil top-up £130.00
I hope you get yours sorted. mine started as a damp oily patch, but quickly became a drip.
chris
I would lock the cams before removing the tensioner.
Move to tdc then 8mm drill bit to secure crank
flick out cam end plug and check slot alignment.
insert cam lock tool.
You need the right tool for your 3 or 5 chain engine. I made one for mine- see my clutch / fly / imsb cover thread in sig
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