3.4 DFI oil leak - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Being curious I decided to take a look under the engine cover and I found some oil residue, it looks like it’s sitting on the oil cooler although where it’s leaking from I am not sure. Before I take it to my OPC (2 hour round trip at least) would anyone like to guess what the problem is or the severity? Normally I would be dissapointed with a car of this mileage & expense having an oil leak however I'm still like a dog with two dicks and I've got the Porsche warranty to fall on. I can't wait to stick some miles on it. What a car!

Without having the car in front of me I'd say the leak is coming from the oil/water heat exchanger. I see (or think I see) oil on top of this in the last pic. If I'm right, the oil could be -- most likely is -- not coming from the unit per se, but instead coming from a bad o-ring or perhaps a line at this oil/water heat exchanger. My advice would be to get the car to your OPC and get this sorted, pronto. Note I said "get", this doesn't mean drive. With a leak at the oil/water heat exchanger, or any leak that appears to be that heavy, I would be leery driving the car 20 minutes to an OPC let alone 2 hours. Be sure to call ahead and make sure there's loaner for you. You'll have to leave the car I'm pretty sure.

Cheers. I'll post back with the outcome.

OPC said my car has been had an oil filter housing replacement previously and it looks like the residue was just left behind and not cleaned up. They've done some sort of dye/leak test and want to see the car again in 500 miles. To be honest I have no idea where the oil filter housing is (though I'd have guessed the underside of the engine...) but we shall see.

OIl filter housing in located under the engine. It is round cylindrical object about 6" or so long and 3+ inches in diameter. I can't imagine how a leak at the oil filter housing could get oil on top off the oil/water heat exchanger and elsewhere above the engine. Perhaps what was replaced was the oil filler tube? Or maybe an oil temperature/level sensor? If the engine was cleaned up -- and it should have been -- keep an eye on the engine and the areas you saw with wet with oil before. If you see any signs of oil again I'd not wait the 500 miles but get the car back in ASAP.

Oil filter housing wraps around bank 2; the plug to the bottom left in the photos is the oil pressure switch, mounted on said housing. Looks to me like the intake is oiling up; the breather is slightly damp (where it goes into the manifold). Check under the intake clamp and see if oil is dripping out through the intake seals. If you are curious remove the MAF unit - oil will go to the lowest point when engine is switched off; worth making sure its not too oily there (MAF will be contaminated if too much has collected there)

Good advice from both of you, thank you. Took it back the dealer they said nothing wrong it, I'll keep an eye on itas I don't trust them one bit. I've not checked under the engine cover since its been in, shall we place a bet wether or not they bothered to clean the mess up?