Can anyone guess where this oil leak might be from?

I've gone through the extensive number of posts related to "non-rms" oil leaks. Found a couple that might be similar issues; would be great to get some experienced feedback on the probable cause of this particular problem: Facts: - '98 996 MK1, 48k original km's (about 30k miles) always serviced, - Never a hint of any oil leaking or seeping from anywhere, ever. - Took it for a track day yesterday; about 20 minutes after the session, while sitting by the paddock, I noticed a small oil leak underneath the right (passanger-side) rear: Attachment 268748 Looking underneath, saw the variocam hosung covered in oil, causing the small (1-inch diameter) puddle to form directly underneath. Looking into it from underneath, I could see that the leak actually came from somewhere right above the housing. After cleaning up the oil from the housing; car sat in the garage all night and not a drop of oil came out, nothing dripped on to the housing or floor any more. Took it for a 1-hour ride today, notice a little more oil started seeping down the housing; but not enought to make a drop on the floor. any ideas?

Camshaft cover gasket?

I would wipe the whole cover clean and then drive the p!ss out of it, several high RPM runs and many curves. See where the highest point and the furthest forward the oil leak is on the cover. This would probably indicate the source.

Engine plugs above the oil pump. Just replaced a couple of those. Easy fix, parts are only $15-30 each. Had the very same location and drip, drip of oil...easy fix. C.

Quotes source post: 5286047

Do you have a better description of the above? Part #?

I also had a similiar leak before I purchased my MY99 996 Cab. The dealer that did the PPI told me that it would cost $2K to fix it, calling the culprit bad cam adjusters. So, the guy selling me the car took it to a reliable Indy in downtown Seattle. $500 later, at the dealer's expense, I was in my ride oil leak free! Good luck! Rotor sends.

upon closer inspection, it seems there's a leak in 2 different places; - on the 2 bolts that hold the little plate where the solenoid goes into at the top of the variocam housing, - at the end of a tube right above the housing. I found a service manual pdf with drawings of the parts with the leaks: Attachment 268817 another angle: Attachment 268818

The leak at the cam adjuster may just be the cover or may be through the solenoid. In my experience, the leak had to be completely cleaned, driven for a few miles, and then re-evaluated. I'm not sure about the upper leak.

Tks for all the tips ! I'll clean up the mess, do some driving, and re-inspect closely to pinpont the exact source points. I do hope it's not too serious..

Yep, mine is leaking from that lower spot also (where the tube enters). As a Porsche noob (and longtime BMW driver), these Porsche engines are a mystery to me. They're so hidden away and inaccessible that it's hard to tell what's where. (The Bimmers are an open book by comparison.) I would love to fix this myself, but don't have a service manual. Any recommendations for a good one to get???