Another Vanos Oil Line Leak Or Something Else?

[heinzboehmer]

That's a coolant pipe. I suggest you remove the driver's side fan shroud and the VANOS solenoid. That will give you a lot more access to clean. Then with everything clean, diagnosis should be much easier.

The Beisan solenoid procedure has instructions on how to remove and reinstall: http://www.beisansystems.com/procedu..._procedure.htm

There's only five bolts that hold it on, but be ready for some oil to spill when you remove it.

[SMGM3]

Ok, now that I cleaned some of the area from the oil, what is this pipe that is above the power steering pump and below the housing for the thermostat? It is also beneath the Vanos Solenoid so it's really tough to see it without a mirror.

[eacmen]

When i had oil on the tensioner like that it was leaking from the bottom left vanos mounting bolt. Had to put a little RTV on the bottom left corner of the VANOS->head gasket.

[SMGM3]

There a leak spray that is basically spray on chalk. It helps us at Porsche quite a bit considering every single Cayenne and Macan leaks. We spray a few can of Brakleen and spray on the chalk. Usually in a week or two, it gives a good trail up to the culprit. Finding a leak in all that dirt is nearly impossible.

Thank you. Appreciate the diagnostic sleuthing tools recommendation.

[Arith2]

There a leak spray that is basically spray on chalk. It helps us at Porsche quite a bit considering every single Cayenne and Macan leaks. We spray a few can of Brakleen and spray on the chalk. Usually in a week or two, it gives a good trail up to the culprit. Finding a leak in all that dirt is nearly impossible.

[SMGM3]

That part is your timing chain tensioner which can leak although it's appears yours leak is above that possibly. I would clean that area up the best you can and check the following:

- Valve Cover gasket
- Vanos solenoid seal plate
- Vanos gasket
- Vanos "caps"
- Vanos line

Good advice and will take that approach for diagnosis. Thank you for identifying the timing chain tensioner and agree it looks like it's coming from above and blowing away from it toward the driver side which is on the right in the top picture.

[Cubieman]

That part is your timing chain tensioner which can leak although it's appears yours leak is above that possibly. I would clean that area up the best you can and check the following:

- Valve Cover gasket
- Vanos solenoid seal plate
- Vanos gasket
- Vanos "caps"
- Vanos line

[SMGM3]

Pic1: Lots of oil build up around the entire area but maybe someone can tell if this is the standard look for a leak from the vanos line or from elsewhere?



Pic 2:
What part is this and is it a possible culprit or just an innocent victim of all the oil build up?