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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHOil Leak from Small Bolt Above Right Header?
Leading reported evidence
Replace aos (and i believe its plumbing)
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
AOS (and I believe its plumbing) were replaced with new factory units in 2023.
Leading evidence: 'Replace aos (and i believe its plumbing)' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check o-rings' (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
Chance that the leak is from bolts around perimeter and/or plug tube o-rings that were replaced, I deem smaller.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Spark plugs/coils/tubes were replaced with the rebuild, but I�ve put around 23k miles on the rebuild now and theyre due for replacement.
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Suggestion
However, after having taken the steps required to access the cam journal bolts, you might as well reseal the whole cam cover and check the o-rings.
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Suggestion
I wouldn't worry about driving it - just check your oil level before you do...
Run yesterday, i found what i believe is oil leaking
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Reported fixes
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Unsuccessful attempts
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Suggestion · Original poster
I cleaned it a few weeks ago and have been driving normally without seeing any new oil drips, but after a shortish, but uh very spirited run yesterday, I found what I believe is oil leaking on the last tube of the passenger side header.
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8 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261027T020439Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Ok so I�ve been monitoring what I originally thought was a weeping scavenge pump seal. I cleaned it a few weeks ago and have been driving normally without seeing any new oil drips, but after a shortish, but uh very spirited run yesterday, I found what I believe is oil leaking on the last tube of the passenger side header.
The obvious suspects are leaky spark plug tube or AOS connection, but the bolt pictured below seems like it may also be the culprit? Is it part of the cam section and is it safe to drive like this for a few weeks?
Car details: 2000 6MT Coupe with a rebuilt 3.8. AOS (and I believe its plumbing) were replaced with new factory units in 2023. Spark plugs/coils/tubes were replaced with the rebuild, but I�ve put around 23k miles on the rebuild now and theyre due for replacement. I was planning to do it in the Spring since the car will be stored for winter in the next two months.
Any easy (no manometer on-hand) way to tell if the AOS or its fittings are calling it quits or if that bolt leaking is indicative of a bigger problem? Added some pics from above. That one fitting (AOS breather) seems weepy?
Valve cover gasket leak. That is a good size leak and will only get worse. It can also be a spark plug tube o-ring. You might want to do both in one shot.
Id be very surprised if it was a valve cover gasket (it�s just sealant, right?). The rebuild was completed in Spring �24 and has around 23k miles on it, seems very early for a gasket failure?
The bolts inside the cam cover perimeter clamp the cam journals. If it has been forgotten to seal either around the bolt hole or underneath the bolt head, then oil will find its way out. 24k miles seems a plausible distance covered for oil drops to appear.
Chance that the leak is from bolts around perimeter and/or plug tube o-rings that were replaced, I deem smaller.
However, after having taken the steps required to access the cam journal bolts, you might as well reseal the whole cam cover and check the o-rings.
This is what is involved
You Tube
Edit: found this searching rennlist for alternatives for the power steering line joints in the engine bay https://rennlist.com/forums/boxster-and-boxster-s-986-forum/1477715-variocam-chain-wear-pad-replacement-on-5-chain-engine-without-engine-removal-tips.html#post20122908
So this is a silly question and I am aware of that going in, but I�ve also found you just never know with these cars: Is this cool to drive on for a bit? Obv if it starts gushing oil, I�ll stop, but is there any concern with that location losing oil from such a critical area?
Why don't you pull that bolt, clean it, put some thread sealer on it, thread it back in, torque to spec, and see what happens? I wouldn't worry about driving it - just check your oil level before you do... Good Luck
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