Oil Leak/Burn in engine bay

Hello.

I want to first say that I have searched here and google to no avail.

I have a 91 VR4 that has a severe oil problem.

when the engine is warm, there is smoke coming from behind/under the intake manifold. I have replaced the valve cover and oil pan gaskets and I am now banging my head on the wall..I checked the feed pipe from the turbo to the pan as well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

p.s. I believe this is a jdm swap as the AWD shaft was missing when I bought it.

 

[Terry Posten]

There is a bolt on the back side that allows you to stick a screwdriver in and align/phase the balence shafts during t-blet/b-belt service. It may be missing.

 

[Terry Posten]

I think it is that bolt right there. See if it is missing.

 

[Barnes]

I can't think of anything on the backside of the block that would be leaking than the bolt Terry mentioned. I can't imagine the head gasket being screwed up in such a way that it is leaking.

Other than that, oil could be leaking on the side of the engine, and then flow down the back. In that case I would suspect the following: valve cover gasket, cam angle sensor o-ring, intake camshaft seal, front main oil seal, oil pump seal, front balance shaft seal.

 

it will be a few months before I can get to it as the car is in another state, but I will post as soon as I can get to the car.

I greatly appreciate all of y'alls responses, thank you thank you thank you!

-Zach

 

[Wizardawd]

I'm all for the missing plug for the BS. But, also a split CV boot could sling grease onto the exhaust and back side of the block.

Wiz

 

[belize1334]

The bolt that supports the manifold bracket also passes into the crank-case. I accidentally left mine out once and I was spraying oil onto the rear-subframe until I figured it out. If that bolt is missing you'll have PUDDLES of oil under the car... not just smoke.