Bizzare oil leak under my 996

[dleerep]

Group:

Here's a wierd situation. I was jacking up my 01 996 at the proper jack point ( not oil pan) underneath motor and while doing this oil starting streaming from the right side of the rear, above the rear tail pipe area. It streamed for about 3-5 seconds and then stopped. Almost like it had pooled somewhere above and the jack angle caused the pooled oil to suddenly drain to the ground. I cleaned it up and watched it for 24 hrs. with no apparent additional leakage. Even startedmotor and ran for a while, again with a flashlight and saw nothing wrong. Has anybody encountered this before? I have never had oil problems or any problems with motor. Car has 80K miles. Also on that day I was performing this in the garage, the outside temps in Denver was around zero. Could this have stiffened something up in the cold weather that might have caused the leak?

Thanks, Delman

[fpb111]

The engine mounts are oil dampened. Your engine mount ruptured. They are pretty easy to change. If you search the web you can find them for reasonable prices.

You will probably be introduced to a raging controversy about correct ways to jack a 996. Many use the lug on the engine many do not.

[dleerep]

The engine mounts are oil dampened. Your engine mount ruptured. They are pretty easy to change. If you search the web you can find them for reasonable prices.

You will probably be introduced to a raging controversy about correct ways to jack a 996. Many use the lug on the engine many do not.

Darn it! So it sounds like I might have caused this problem. Next time of jack up rear of car, what should I do. LIft from body supports?

Delman

[Loren]

If the fluid that came out was a relatively small amount and greenish in color - then yes likely ruptured engine mount(s). On older high miles cars you were likely to need them soon anyway.

Do a search here for "jack points" or have a look in your owners manual.

[dleerep]

If the fluid that came out was a relatively small amount and greenish in color - then yes likely ruptured engine mount(s). On older high miles cars you were likely to need them soon anyway.

Do a search here for "jack points" or have a look in your owners manual.

Loren:

I really appreciate the information but you got me curious with the greenish color. What I have looks like straight old oil.

Delman

[Loren]

If it were motor oil I doubt it would have stopped after a few seconds. Like any engine you pretty much have to crack the case to a leak like that.

Sometime the mounts just go when they get old...

[wvicary]

I have also seen a very dark purple coloured fluid leak from the mounts.

[phillipj]

If it makes you feel better I was at my mechanics not too long ago and saw the oil on the shop floor from a failed 996 motor mount. Looked like plain ol oil to me....:rolleyes:

They are pretty easy to replace and not too pricey. I think there is a DIY here...

Not a big deal and like Loren said with that many miles they needed to replaced anyway..

Edited January 3, 2011 by phillipj

[Orient Express]

Darn it! So it sounds like I might have caused this problem. Next time of jack up rear of car, what should I do. LIft from body supports?

Delman

You did nothing wrong. These fluid filled motor mounts usually fail at 60 ~ 120K miles regardless of how you lifted your car. Good thing is that you were aware when it failed so you can replace them, rather than the mounts failing on the road and you not noticing until the NVH from the rear end starts getting annoying.

Make sure you replace both of them. It is a very easy job, 2 bolts and a nut on each side, just support the engine with your jack, remove the bottom bolts of the mount, then the two top bolts, remove the old mount from inside the engine compartment, then reverse the process and you are done. Total time 30 minutes ~ hour.

I have also seen a very dark purple coloured fluid leak from the mounts.

Yes that is the color of the mount oil. They have failed, so time for a new pair.

[DaveFL76]

A general question for you guys....

Short of seeing the oil pouring from your mount, how does one know when he needs new engine mounts? What are the symptoms?

thanks!

Darn it! So it sounds like I might have caused this problem. Next time of jack up rear of car, what should I do. LIft from body supports?

Delman

You did nothing wrong. These fluid filled motor mounts usually fail at 60 ~ 120K miles regardless of how you lifted your car. Good thing is that you were aware when it failed so you can replace them, rather than the mounts failing on the road and you not noticing until the NVH from the rear end starts getting annoying.

Make sure you replace both of them. It is a very easy job, 2 bolts and a nut on each side, just support the engine with your jack, remove the bottom bolts of the mount, then the two top bolts, remove the old mount from inside the engine compartment, then reverse the process and you are done. Total time 30 minutes ~ hour.

I have also seen a very dark purple coloured fluid leak from the mounts.

Yes that is the color of the mount oil. They have failed, so time for a new pair.

[Loren]

A general question for you guys....

Short of seeing the oil pouring from your mount, how does one know when he needs new engine mounts? What are the symptoms?

thanks!

Darn it! So it sounds like I might have caused this problem. Next time of jack up rear of car, what should I do. LIft from body supports?

Delman

You did nothing wrong. These fluid filled motor mounts usually fail at 60 ~ 120K miles regardless of how you lifted your car. Good thing is that you were aware when it failed so you can replace them, rather than the mounts failing on the road and you not noticing until the NVH from the rear end starts getting annoying.

Make sure you replace both of them. It is a very easy job, 2 bolts and a nut on each side, just support the engine with your jack, remove the bottom bolts of the mount, then the two top bolts, remove the old mount from inside the engine compartment, then reverse the process and you are done. Total time 30 minutes ~ hour.

I have also seen a very dark purple coloured fluid leak from the mounts.

Yes that is the color of the mount oil. They have failed, so time for a new pair.

Usually, and unusual vibration or rough feeling engine.

[fpb111]

If only one side has failed you might also notice that one tail pipe has dropped ~1/2" lower than the other.