Head gasket

[geoff]

Went to tech session at a local dealer last fall, and with car up on rack they point out several oil leaks. I take to my regular dealer and have the RMS and ISS seals done around 31K miles. Oil filler tube replaced at the same time. Valve cover leak fixed also. All leaks visible when looking at engine, but no oil spots on the ground.

Around 33K miles in February, took car in right before 4 year warranty up, and dealer pronounced no oil leaks. (It's a 2001 Boxster)

Went to tech session at same local dealer a few weeks ago, and the mechanic points out the same oil leak they found on the right side last fall. Take back to my regular dealer this morning to have the oil leak taken care of. In both cases, tech session mechanic says engine is leaking oil by freeze plug

Just got off the phone with my service manager and he says the bank 1-3 (i.e., right side) head gasket is leaking oil to the outside. No oil / water mixing, or anything like that. Just external oil leak. No big deal, just replace the head gasket. No head machining, no break-in once fixed, Porsche has replacement head gaskets.

Anyone else have this kind of leak before. I've heard lots about RMS, ISS, valve cover and oil filler tube leaks, but nobody complains about head gaskets leaking oil visible on the outside. What gives? Any suggestions?

This dealer has taken VERY good care of me under warranty, and Porsche is paying for this repair. Also, no temperature problems or check engine lights have come on. Anything in particular I should be worried about (other than more oil leaks in the future)?

Edited April 4, 2005 by geoff