Opinions needed - Oil seeping

I've searched and can't quite find a leak described in the same place. About 5 months ago I had the RMS updated to the new seal and the LNE IMS bearing installed. I took the car in to my indy for another minor issue and upon seeing it they said not to worry about it until it starts dripping on the garage floor. However, I am in the process of finding a new indy, as I am not entirely satisfied with their 996 experience nor their level of professionalism. Anyway, I cleaned up the seeping joint before these photos, so the photos are not the best representation of the actual problem. As of now, there is no oil dripping, and it takes a few weeks for a droplet to even start to form at the lowest point under the seeping. Any ideas? Should I worry? Last, is it something that the indy did or didn't do during the RMS/IMS/Clutch replacement that led to the leak? I am unsure if it is a related or unrelated problem. I would love to be able to take it to them and tell them they are responsible and need to fix it ! (I would think it is unrelated, however - unfortunately). Thank you all for your expertise.

That's the head gasket, where the chain from the IMS to the cam runs. Rick 99 996C4 87 944S

check your oil seperator boot. It's just up from pic three, that will prolly be your leak.

I'd recommend you find an Indy that is real professional. Have him look over the entire motor and replace every gasket and seal where there is any evidence of even the slightest seepage. Have him do the RMS, IMS, AOS, spark plug tubes and seals, oil filler tube as well while you're at it. Your motor looks filthy and looks like it's leaked onto the sway bar as well. I think your first Indy was looking out for your finiancial best interest,and it lost him a customer. Fixing all the above should cost you a few thou, and have you working a night or two of overtime. GL with the fix :-) Oh, reading your other post, I see you've done a lot of this already. Too bad these guys didn't charge you $20 more and clean that filthy motor. It's the first thing I would have done before I picked up a wrench. ????

Nick, I agree with you - that needs to be the next thing on my list. I was initially afraid of scrubbing off all of the cosmolene (sp?) that is left on the hoses and undercarriage, which I thought was put there to protect it. Then I was afraid of getting degreaser where it shouldn't be. Most of the muck came when the boot on the AOS was split and misted oil went everywhere until I noticed (it doesn't take long, as I noticed pretty quickly) and replaced the boot. I should have cleaned it then, but I didn't. The head gasket comment above scares the heck out of me. Is this relatively unassuming leak really a sign of a head gasket failure? If it is, should I even drive the car? It runs perfectly, oil looks good, pressure is good, coolant is perfect, and the car has never even hinted at overheating. Is it possible to have a minor head gasket leak and just replace it? From looking at some posts here it looks like guys are replacing their engines if the head gasket even threatens to leak. I actually prefer the thought of the AOS again.....

Tex, I didn't mean to come across as abrupt or a bit harsh in my prior post, sorry! Anyway, what you need to do is get that sucker clean. Get 2-3 cans of spray engine degreaser, not the foamy type. Go to a car wash and spray the degreaser everywhare under the chassis and motor area. Let it sit for a few minutes, then feed a pocket full of quarters in the slot and blast away using high pressure soap. This should be a good start. A hint is to go late at night to a 24 hour one, and make a couple of simple ramps out of a couple of 2x12s nailed together and about a foot long. Drive on them with the rear tires and it'l raise you up about 3.5". This will help a lot. It's hard to see what's residual and whats actually leaking or seeping with a dirty motor. GL!

Nick, no offense taken. I still need to spend hours cleaning all the nooks and crannies, but upon your advice I cleaned the engine up a bit. It is still hard to predict what I'm talking about with no leak showing (as I cleaned it). It takes a good week or two to show any accumulation, and it never does drip - a half droplet just seems to hang there at the low point on the curve. If anyone can give me an idea of what I am looking at to fix this or if it is potentially catastrophic I would be most appreciative.

That seam is sealed by the head gasket, if it's leaking from there, only way I know how to fix is to pull the head and replace the gasket. A lot of work for a drop now and then that just blows off while you drive.....I personally would not worry about it. Rick 99 996C4 87 944S

Quotes source post: 7922185

That area sees lots of oil and it is common for the chain box area to leak and yes, replacing the head gasket is the only way to fix that leak properly. Are you the original owner? I see what looks like Loctite 5900 (Porsche sealant) that has been squeezed out of the seem in that area. Porsche says not to use sealant anywhere on the head gasket, so either the head has been off OR someone tried applying sealant externally to stop the leak (but why would it look like it is squeezed out?).

It is an honor to have you take the time to read and respond to my post Mr. Navarro. Thank you. I am the 3rd owner, but as far as I know the heads have never been off. The shop that has worked on the car for the last few years (for the PO and for me so far) didn't touch them. I think the PO bought the car with 66k on it, so it would have been prior to that if they had been off. I would be shocked to find out that they had been, however. I assumed that that stuff was the Drei-Bond 1209 or some other factory sealant. The only maintenance that has been done to the car as far as I know is the 'regular' stuff - the AOS, your bearing (LNE) installation, the RMS (I would assume that the one I had installed a few months ago is not the first replacement), clutch, water pump, etc. Last, since I cleaned the engine up a week or so ago, the area is bone dry - not even a hint of moisture near the area. I changed the oil myself prior to noticing the seeped oil and maybe there is a chance it got there during that process (my first oil change). Hopefully it will never reappear, but I will keep an eye on it. Mr. Navarro, thanks again for your insight.