16 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHOil leak on on right bank, tubes?
Reported or suspected cause
breather hose
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
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1
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Reported cause
Turns out it was the breather hose from the case to the intake.
Leading evidence: 'breather hose' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'breather hose' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace tubes and gasket' (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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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Many things are done and used on the assembly line to speed the process up and this was one of them.
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Suggestion · Original poster
No misfires to speak of, looks like ill just replaces the tubes and gasket...
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Suggestion
Not only does the cover want to be sealed so it does not leak oil to the outside there are areas inside that must be properly sealed so high pressure oil that would otherwise feed the camshaft bearings does not leak out -- into the area under the camshaft cover -- and potentially allow a bearing to run low on oil and pressure.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion
Maybe but I don't want to use my car to experiment on.
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Suggestion
Not only does the cover want to be sealed so it does not leak oil to the outside there are areas inside that must be properly sealed so high pressure oil that would otherwise feed the camshaft bearings does not leak out -- into the area under the camshaft cover -- and potentially allow a bearing to run low on oil and pressure.
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.
16 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
So it looks like I have a tappet cover / sparkplug tube leak on the right side bank.
Is there a good source for a "kit" of parts to do this job? What other maintenance is good to do at the same time? Cheers!
That's the camshaft cover. It is besides a cover the upper halves of the camshaft bearings. The other halves are in the head.
A sealant is used to seal this cover. Now this is tricky. Not only does the cover want to be sealed so it does not leak oil to the outside there are areas inside that must be properly sealed so high pressure oil that would otherwise feed the camshaft bearings does not leak out -- into the area under the camshaft cover -- and potentially allow a bearing to run low on oil and pressure.
My point is that unless you are sure the camshaft cover is leaking and it is leaking bad enough to warrant fixing, you are better off letting it be. (My 02 Boxster has a slight camshaft cover leak and the tech and I are keeping our eyes on it, have been now for 10K or more miles and it is not a bad leak at all nothing hitting the ground and no oil making a mess of the engine or anything else nearby.)
IIRC from when the other camshaft cover was off my car for VarioCam work the bolts can't be reused either but must be replaced.
If you go at the engine for a camshaft cover leak -- if it is deemed necessary to address this leak -- or leaking spark plug tubes other work while there and if due would be of course new plugs and possibly new coils if the coils are showing signs of cracking. But if you have not experienced any misfires with a check engine light either on or flashing the coils are very likely ok.
Always handle coils with care if you are reusing the existing ones or installing new ones.
There is no gasket. The seal is created when the camshaft cover is bolted down to the head. The sealant is applied in a bead of a specific size, ideally unbroken, and on all the right surfaces.
The camshaft cover bolts should not be reused. They are micro sealed and after being installed and then removed this micro sealant is no longer effective at keeping the oil in.
Well, it is not exactly what was on it in the first place and I'm not being pedantic just for the practice.
The thread sealer wets the threads of the bolt and affects its torque value obtained during tightening.
It also leaves thread sealer between the threads and this is a gap that can have the fastener move from heat expansion and contraction when the engine is shut off thus working the bolt loose.
So not only does the bolt now seep oil it does not provide the proper clamping force to the camshaft cover which means the plain bearings formed by the camshaft cover bolted to the head might end up with some wiggle.
This can also lead to internal oil leaks that compromise the oil supply and oil pressure to the camshaft bearings.
But if you want to go the thread sealer route that's your call.
Mine appeared to be the camshaft cover as well, until I removed the spark plug tubes and found three that were crimped badly. Once I replaced them I had no more leaks.
Good points but there are products out there that do both. A thread locker AND sealer. The only reason the factory bolts had the dried version was for ease of assembly at the factory. The same performing product is available to the consumer. Many things are done and used on the assembly line to speed the process up and this was one of them. You need to realize, there is more than one way to skin a cat.
I have an 02 and it was leaking there too. Turns out it was the breather hose from the case to the intake. It's a corrugated plastic tube about 3/4" in diameter on the right side in the engine compartment. I found a crack in the tube where it hangs down. Look to see if your injectors are wet on that side.
B.
Maybe but I don't want to use my car to experiment on. Were I going to do something like this I'd just try to mimic what the factory does or recommends rather than cutting a new trail.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
