Oil Leak Questions..

Hey Guys, 07' CS with 2300mi. 3 days ago I was looking under the car and saw a wet spot on the rear portion of the skid plate. I was curious so I jacked up the car removed the rear portion of the skid plate to expose the area around the engine oil drain plug for those that change their own. The area around and just above the drain plug was wet with oil but not to the point of dripping. However the skid plate looks to have been holding about a teaspoon that has been soaked up by dirt/grime. Obviously not major yet, so I chalked it up to just a little oil from the drain plug area from the factory or something, dried everthing with a rag and some degreaser, put the skid plate back on and drove about a 150 mi over the last 3 days. I reach up under there tonight and feel more oil, so I removed the plate again and see oil on the stem just above the drain plug bolt again! It was not enough yet to drip onto the skid plate yet but I suspect a small leak. I will get up under there the best I can with my jack tomorrow and take a closer look this time, but there are just so many cracks and crevices, and the cosmoline makes everything look shiny in places you can't feel to differentiate. Any ideas. Oil pan gasket, etc.? Larry

I have heard of several cases of oil pan gasket leaks. Could also be the drain plug gasket. It's not very much it sounds like, and it's progress doesn't sound alarming either, so I doubt you'll loose all your oil in one event - but you also never know. You should take it into the dealer asap. Not sure what that means in terms of miles to you, but I'd try to get it in within the next week or so. brad

i agree ... use ur warranty dude.. hahahaha

I'm confused by your post. There's no skid plate or anything else that needs to be removed to access the oil drain or the filter. Leakage from either should be easy to spot w/the car on jack stands, ramps or a lift. You might check the torque for both the drain plug & filter if either shows any seeping. Pan gasket leakage is tougher since it usually travels around a bit. Photo from Helo Driver:

Dan, Thanks for clearing that up. I thought that was the engine drain plug (in your pic) too until I took the skid plate off (the one in the bottom left in your pic). I have always changed my own oil but this damn manual doesn't orient you to the plugs, etc. But anyway, there is another drain plug, tranny?, with this plate off and that is the general area the oil is coming from. The oil is seeping down on the plug, that is why I was convinced it must be the engine oil drain plug. I am sure its engine oil, its not thick enough or smells like gear oil, and its yellow but starting to darken just like a couple thousand mile engine oil will do. Thanks for the clarification and I will get under there and see if I can get a closer look today. I will also make an appt. with the dealer. Larry

Larry In the photo I posted the hole to the left w/the oil dripping is where the drain plug goes. When inserted that plug is flush w/the bottom of the oil pan & has a recess for an 8mm hex wrench. The filter location is on the right & should be obvious from the large threaded opening. Here's a better shot of the underside in which the similar looking gearbox drain can be seen. Hope this helps orient you as you explore further.

It has always been my opinion that leakage and seepage are two different things, where leakage ends up being on the floor and seepage stays on the car. In the old Porsches, they started seepage and then leakage, as the seals shrink from not being driven. Porsche recommends driving the CS 15 miles per day ... or some number like 60 miles per week (I'm working on old memory here ...) No seepage or leakage on mine ... 2006 CS 9200 miles.

I had the same problem with mine at 5,400 miles. I took it to the dealer and they removed and resealed the oil pan. The repair was covered under warranty so no charge. I've had no problem since. Good luck with yours. Pete

Hey, Thanks Dan for the photo with the rear portion of the skidplate removed. I have circled where my seepage is coming from. It's making its way down onto this drain plug, but not from the plug itself, its tight. I assume this is the plug for the gearbox oil now, correct? Will keep you posted. Thanks. Larry

I made an appt today with the stealer, I mean dealer, as well as scheduled a change in oil at 2500mi. so I will let you know what they say. When I get the break in oil out I will probably let it go 10K. L

L-Cod, I'm sure you've read here that there is no "break-in oil" used. So I'm assuming you are doing an oil change for reasons of your own and not Porsches - some feel more comfortable doing that but it really isn't needed. Be sure and read the posts that recommend that you limit the work done by your dealer to only an oil change or he will be a "stealer" and charge you for a lot of other things that you do not require as well. Let us know the outcome and maybe we should move this to "Complaints" when we understand the problem?

Thanks Sante Fe, True words on the oil change. The dealer is about 3 hours away, and I figured I would let them do it (change the oil) a little early since hopefully I will not be in that direction until spring. BTW, I would like to know what drain plug I am pointing at in the following pic when I show the dealer where my leak is coming from. Gearbox? I am used to doing all of my own maintenance, but on 4WD Japanese Pickups, not german sports cars, so I am a little disoriented under there still. Thanks, Larry

The gearbox is aft of the engine... you have a mid-engined car. The clean (non-cosmolined) component to the rear (right in the image) is your gearbox. I am not sure what the plug you refer to is for. Perhaps someone with a shop manual can help. Good luck and I hope it is nothing serious. Jeff 07 C2S

Larry - See what it is, first - if they have to re-seal the oil pan, then they'll change the oil anyway - just ask them to replace the filter, too. If it turns out you need to get them to change the oil, what Santa Fe is referring to is that many dealers will give you the whole "low mileage service" work up, and generally won't ask or tell you that's what they're going to do - which includes all the inspections shown in your warranty book - you probably don't need them with 2300 miles on the clock... if they do, it'll be $300... ask them to just change the oil and filter, should be more in the neighborhood of $150 - mostly because they charge you list for the Mobil 1. While they have the car up in the air for the warranty work and/or the oil change, I'm sure they'll give it the once-over to see if thay see anything amiss... brad

Thanks for the info, I thought that was the gearbox (thats the only place it could be!) until I saw this other drain plug with fresh oil around it (that was not the engine oil drain plug either). I am going to ask on Friday to go in while the tech has it on a lift and point out the leak and ask what this plug is for. I am not planning on doing any of the maintenance but its always good to know the anatomy of your car. L

I think the part highlighted in your photo is the pressure relief valve for the oil pump. I'm not 100% sure but that rings a bell. Just let the dealer sort it out.

Larry I've labeled the oil & gearbox drains. I'm not sure what the bolt you've circled is for & won't have an opportunity to crawl under the car to look for awhile. However, it's at the front (bottom) of the engine well away from the oil pan seals & in the wrong direction for oil from the pans to get blown there ('tho anything is possible). There are a number of potential leak sites at the front of the engine. As others have said, let the dealer sort it out. The only bright spot is you may get a free oil change. :cheers:

Part II of Oil Leak..Visit to dealer..Calling all attorneys Hey guys, Just figured I would update you on my situation with the oil leak I spotted about a week ago (refer to earlier oil leak questions post). This is a 07' CS with 2,500mi bought new by me in Knox. Tn. Can't say I have babied the car, but I have adhered to the break in protocol to the best of my ability. I have never been over 5K on the tach even after the 2K mark. I drive it at least every day or two so it does not set for long periods of time. Anyway, my oil leak was coming from here (refer to pic). Thats the front of the engine around the oil pressure relief valve, oil pump, etc. I ask the dealer if I could go in and show the tech. where the oil was coming from b/c it was such a small amt. and you have to pull off the rear skid plate to see it. When I went in and the tech saw it, he said "not good." He said it looked as if the oil pump gasket may be to blame. He said Porsche would probably want to replace the engine and have it shipped back to inspect what was f$$cked up on such a new car. I got a call back this evening and they told me Porsche wants them to replace the oil pump gasket (I think that is what he said) first to see it that fixes it. Ok, so what are my rights at this point, I don't want to fight for a new car here if it is a losing battle, but it sure is very early to start replacing engines on a new car I have had since November 1st. My resale value and everything are at stake here. Warranties are for burned out tail lights not for replacing engines at 2K miles! If I have learned anything in life about major car service, I know as soon as they replace the engine, I will have nothing but **** out of this car for the rest of its days. Attorneys on the board, any thoughts. Thanks for any input. Larry

Part II Oil Leak: Need advice attorneys.. I moved Part II to complaints given there is a major problem now with the car. Hey guys, Just figured I would update you on my situation with the oil leak I spotted about a week ago (refer to earlier oil leak questions post). This is a 07' CS with 2,500mi bought new by me in Knox. Tn. Can't say I have babied the car, but I have adhered to the break in protocol to the best of my ability. I have never been over 5K on the tach even after the 2K mark. I drive it at least every day or two so it does not set for long periods of time. Anyway, my oil leak was coming from here (refer to pic). Thats the front of the engine around the oil pressure relief valve, oil pump, etc. I ask the dealer if I could go in and show the tech. where the oil was coming from b/c it was such a small amt. and you have to pull off the rear skid plate to see it. When I went in and the tech saw it, he said "not good." He said it looked as if the oil pump gasket may be to blame. He said Porsche would probably want to replace the engine and have it shipped back to inspect what was f$$cked up on such a new car. I got a call back this evening and they told me Porsche wants them to replace the oil pump gasket (I think that is what he said) first to see it that fixes it. Ok, so what are my rights at this point, I don't want to fight for a new car here if it is a losing battle, but it sure is very early to start replacing engines on a new car I have had since November 1st. My resale value and everything are at stake here. Warranties are for burned out tail lights not for replacing engines at 2K miles! If I have learned anything in life about major car service, I know as soon as they replace the engine, I will have nothing but **** out of this car for the rest of its days. Attorneys on the board, any thoughts. The dealer is doing all it can to satisfy me and have done a great job all around. Porsche needs to step up and realize people who pay close to 70K for a car does not want shop techs to removing engines and trannys after a month on the road. Shop techs do not want to do it either! They had much rather change oil, breaks, and belts all day. The reason I am so fired up is that the tech mentioned that they have already removed three trannys from Caymans d/t the much written about flywheel bolt/clutch to the floor issue on 06 models. This is ridiculous! Larry

Actually Porsche replaces engines for a variety of reasons that would just be rebuilt by other manufacturers. Sounds like if it's a blown gasket or seal that can be easily replaced, that will be easy. A new engine if needed would be inconvenient but not grounds for a new car.

Hey, I have always driven japanese cars and motorcycles and am just not used to such quality control issues on such an expensive item. Clutch and engine issues alot of us guys have been dealing with are just not I expected from a Porsche . Rattling and bumpiness that many guys complain about on here yes, but performance, hell no. I guess I might as well get used to it since its my daily driver! I hope a good tech. gets ahold of it. L

Hey, And what's the deal? I hear about other guys getting Cayennes and boxters for loaners, and I get an audi quattro. I just left the Valentine 1 in the back seat! This thing is down on power something aweful. Its almost the worst part of the entire experience. Haha. L

Have faith in the dealership and Porsche . They will make it right. (love my Quarttro by the way but it has a big engine)

Larry - First, you should calm down a little... and call off the attorneys - unless you want to hand tham a bunch of money for no reason - this is not that big a deal, believe it or not. You're not going to get a new car out of this, and there's no reason to ask for one. An engine swap will not - I repeat, not - hurt your resale value. Have them replace the gasket first, odds are that will fix things, if not, the motor swap is the way to go. Once it is complete there's no reason at all to believe that you will have "nothing but s#@t out of this car" as you put it. All will be fine. Porsche techs are used to replacing motors, and are factory trained to do so. When the early Boxsters and 996s were having trouble with the rear main seals leaking, engine swaps were the norm. In reality, it's better to have a factory-assembled new motor swapped out, then to have a local tech tear the whole thing apart and reassemble it. It's a simple bolt-it-in procedure. Whether the car costs $70k or $170k, remember it's a mechanical thing designed and made by humans - all of which are notoriously fallible. All cars no matter what price have technical and assembly problems, you just don't hear about them. Everyone who's had the clutch/pressure plate problems and reported them on this site, have all said it was repaired quickly, and to their satisfaction. Anyway, you really have nothing to worry about. brad

I have to disagree. I'd rather pay for a tail light than an engine. I think as others have said, let them fix it. Time for further action later if necessary.

Beez, I think you offended me and all other attorney's on this board. I recognize that you are a moderator on this board, but with all due respect, your claim that a new motor does not effect resale value is baldly conclusory. Check out the article written by Chris Harris in the January issue of Purely Porsche Magazine that disagrees with you. Now that I got that off my chest, let me turn to the issue at hand. I agree with Beez, see if the new gasket solves the problem. If not, then I would take it to the next level. In California, I think Porsche arbitrates these types of disputes. I'm not sure how they are handled in your state.

Anytime you threaten a legal action, you should really keep it private. Posting on the public forum may come back and bite you in the rear if you're not careful. just my $0.02

Thanks guys... I appreciate all the advice. I don't want to seem like a bad sport and I know if porsche replaced every car that had a problem after purchase we would be paying over $100K for these things as it would drive up the cost. It just took my breath today when the tech don't worry about the oil change you scheduled b/c you will probably get a new engine. I just wanted a comment from the attorneys b/c I know we have the advantage on this forum of getting some friendly advice from very educated folks. I am pharmacist, but know very little about lemon laws, etc. Though the dealer was very helpful, it didn't seem like I was presented any options. It was, "Here is the loaner and porsche will tell us what to do." I want to know my rights early on before I sign one to many 4 page documents at the service dept. and give them away. Its not my fault that this happened and I deserve a car that functions as good as I treat it (I was actually going to change the oil at 2500 mi!), my car payment reminds me of that. L