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Oil Oil Everywhere!

Dan D

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2001
Messages
1,171
Location
Brownsburg, IN
I've had a bit of an oil leak for that I couldn't track down the last two oil changes. Last night I cleaned everything up really well and changed the oil. Took the car for a drive with no problems. Checked for leaks, nothing to be seen.

I drive to work, no drips in the garage. I come home at lunch time and when i leave, there'a puddle. I got underneath this evening and found oil on just about everything - axle, control arm, side of the pan, front cover. The oil filter was tight and clean and the drain plug was leak free. Dipstick was in place.

I popped the timing belt cover off and there is a very light film of oil on the inside edge of the belt.

Did I blow out an oil seal? 192K miles says maybe? Any thoughts on what to check before I start tearing things apart?

Talk about bad timing - 3 weeks before my first born is due /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif
 

gvr4ever

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
6,190
Location
central Indiana
192K. Probably a cam seal or main crank seal. Check the valve cover first.
 

turbowop

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 29, 2001
Messages
11,971
Location
Yakima, WA
I'm doing a timing belt on 503 right now because the oil pump sprocket seal started leaking and got oil on the inside edge of it. I'm replacing the timing belt which is fairly new already /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif , that seal, and also the main crank seal as well. My cam seals were fine. Pull the timing belt cover off and see where it's leaking.
 

ktmrider

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 10, 2007
Messages
3,128
Location
Tempe, AZ
Mine had a similar issue, thought it was the front main or oil pump gear.
Got the cover off, turns out the engine builder did not use loctite or thread sealant on any of the oil pump or timing component bolts. Many came off by hand! Symptoms were like yours, small leak developed into a big one, but your mileage does point to the seals first.
Like mentioned pull the cover and belt. Might as well change the timing components while you're at it.
GL with the leak and newborn!
 

Woody

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2009
Messages
88
Location
Plainfield, NJ
I would lean more to the cam seals, or try pouring some engine dye in and look where its coming from.Gl
 

turbowop

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 29, 2001
Messages
11,971
Location
Yakima, WA
I finished up my timing belt and seal replacement on 503 tonight. The old crankshaft and oil pump seals practically fell out when I touched them with a screwdriver to pry them out. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/uhh.gif

The crank seal looked okay, but came out way too easy. The oil pump sprocket actually had oil flung around the inside of the back of it, so I'm guessing that's where my leak was. They must've been the original seals with 180k on them, as they were pretty crusty. Car is back together and driving...no leaks yet.
 

Dan D

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2001
Messages
1,171
Location
Brownsburg, IN
I looked a little closer today. Most of the oil is concentrated at the edge of the lower timing cover. The top of the motor is clean on that side so I'm pretty certain I've lost a seal. I was about to start taking off pulleys and belts when I started thinking.

The motor's got 192k miles
It's due for timing belt change in roughly 10k miles
I've got a new clutch waiting to go in because the current one slips on takeoff if I'm not careful
Compression has been a little low in cyl #2 for 50k miles
Needs valve stem seals (and possible new valve guides)
The oil pressure runs a little below average and has for 60k miles
Still has balance shafts
Has 192k miles

I think I'm going to begin taking things apart to pull the motor out. It is time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

What shall the future hold /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devil.gif
 
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