Need some help- what is this

[jay04v6]

HI all- 1996 996 3.4 cabriolet. can you tell me what this panel is? above the right rear header, back right of the motor toward the back bumper end of the engine. appears to be a panel with 4 bolts. the panel is wet, leaking oil. Looking at it for a potential purchase for a friend. the picture is of my 3.6 996....but panel looks the same (although mine is dry) is an oil wet panel in this area a problem?

Thanks

[RFM]

Looks like the scavenge pump (cylinder head)

[Skootnasty]

The o-ring for that bank's scavenge pump is likely starting to harden, which will allow oil to escape past it. May not require anything more than a new o-ring.

Skoot

[Dharn55]

If you remove it to install a new oil ring make sure to mark the pump and head so that it is reinstalled with the same orientation. There is a pump on each side and they are interchangeable but have to be installed properly. Don't ask me how I know this.

[jay04v6]

thanks gentlemen. i appreciate it. i can track from there, but without a name, was tough. looked all over in the ultimate manual and couldnt find an image looking like that.

[logray]

It could also be oil leaking from above.

On bank 1 you have the AOS above the scavenge pump.

On bank 2 you have AOS/case vent above the scavenge pump.

Other stuff can leak too, or even pool on top of engine and seep down.