So, I have developed my first oil leak in my 1986 328 GTS. I'm having a bit of trouble finding the source though. The leak seems to be coming from the front RHS of the engine. It is somewhere high, as it is dripping from above. I have been under the car but with all of the stuff in the way I can't seem to locate it. The oil is dripping on the exhaust system and causing some smoke. I have stopped driving the car for now, but I would like to get it back on the road (of course). I'm guessing either cam seals or valve cover gasket. Now that I have written all of this, I'm not sure how much everyone can help me over the Internet, but some common points to consdier would be a great help. Thanks! Gene
As you said, it is kinda hard to pin point an oil leak for ya over the internet. But.........you may on the right path thinking the cam seals and cover gasket. Maybe you should use some truck wash or degreaser and clean the area where the oil is dripping(when the car is cold of course). Start the car and let it idle while watching to see if you can see any oil leaks/droplets forming in the area. That is probably the easiest way to diagnose. Good luck.
Just a thought, my first oil leak was the result of my overfilling the oil. I got syringe to suck oil from Walmart some aquarium air tubeing so I could suck the oil out of the dipstick tube. I could not see the source of the oil leak all I could see it was driping from along the engine along the oil pan. My Ferrari is a an 81 308 GTSi. stephen
Are you having trouble shifting gears when you drive it? It could be the shift shaft seal leaking oil into the gearbox, which then overfills and then oil leaks out the weap hole, which is on the right hand side of the car. Oil leaking from that hole will spill onto the exhaust causing smoke. I should know, it happened to me in my 88 328 GTS this year.
Actually, I just changed the oil, although I did have the leak prior to changing the oil. I think that the previous owner (I just purchased it a week ago) had overfilled it by at least two quarts. I was hoping that changing the oil would help, but no dice. I'm going to re-torque the valve cover gaskets and see what happens. I am guessing that I have to take the cam covers off to change the seals. The timing belts are due for a change (time, not miles) so I guess I'll have it done, or do it myself soon. Thanks a lot for the information. I'll try cleaning things up and taking a look.
In regards to the shift shaft seal, I did look at that when I was under the car. This seems to be coming from higher up on the motor. I don't know if this helps, but when it is idling it doesn't seem to leak. It is only after I drive it around town or on the freeway a bit. Thanks again! Gene
I hope you find it. Oil leaks are often difficult to find. What my mechanic does is clean the area where the leak is coming from, then run the car for a while until it gets warmed up. After that he lifts the car to look for the source of the leak. It's not easy but that's usually the best way to do it. If it's the shift shaft seal, you won't be able to see it just by looking under the car. Without taking the gearbox pan off and checking it directly, the best way to do it is check the level of your gearbox fluid. If it gushes out from the fill bolt, then you know that oil is getting into that compartment. Good luck.
That's the shift shaft seal and boot going into the front of the oil pan. The shaft continues through the other side of the oil pan and then into the gear box. There is a gasket between the oil pan and the gearbox pan that was my problem. The only way you would see it is if you removed the oil pan itself.
See this thread for some things to check that may help diagnose your leak: Finally a driver! But mystery oil leak? http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115172&highlight=oil+leak
I recently helped a friend change the oil seal on one camshaft of his 328 as it was weeping oil onto the exhaust when hot. Perhaps they are prone to this. Not too much more work if you are doing the timing belts anyway.
