Drips of oil on workshop floor
Discussion
Ok,
so I notice a few drips of oil on the workshop floor.
I decide to investigate further so up she goes.
Having removed the undertray, bonnet, airbox etc I begin some detective work.
Now then on the bottom of the engine near the scavange pump casing area I see a drop of oil on the cap head bolt.
I also find what looks fluid on the engine front cover.
There was also oil on the undertray at the point below the bolt.
I am looking for ideas as to were the leak is coming from, I have checked hoses in front of the drip but they are ok, we all know oil can leak in one place and be detected in others.
I have taken some photographs but you will have to download them from here
www.tfgf.co.uk/oil.zip
The oil level is pretty constant, the car has done 11.5k and has a comprehensive service history and drives great. Using 0w 40. Car dosnt overheat and oil pressures as they should.
Opinions please. I am thinking oil seal somewhere.
D
so I notice a few drips of oil on the workshop floor.
I decide to investigate further so up she goes.
Having removed the undertray, bonnet, airbox etc I begin some detective work.
Now then on the bottom of the engine near the scavange pump casing area I see a drop of oil on the cap head bolt.
I also find what looks fluid on the engine front cover.
There was also oil on the undertray at the point below the bolt.
I am looking for ideas as to were the leak is coming from, I have checked hoses in front of the drip but they are ok, we all know oil can leak in one place and be detected in others.
I have taken some photographs but you will have to download them from here
www.tfgf.co.uk/oil.zip
The oil level is pretty constant, the car has done 11.5k and has a comprehensive service history and drives great. Using 0w 40. Car dosnt overheat and oil pressures as they should.
Opinions please. I am thinking oil seal somewhere.
D
That's not an oil leak. 
Mine looks the Gulf of Mexico at the moment due to a leaking oil pressure sender. That could be the cause of your leak as well? It's under the airbox and has pipes running into it that route through the area you pictured. Maybe the oil is running along the pipe and then dripping off where you see it?? That's a common oil leak and easy enough to fix (new sender).
I'm no mechanic though, so you may be better of waiting for one of the experts to come along.
Mine looks the Gulf of Mexico at the moment due to a leaking oil pressure sender. That could be the cause of your leak as well? It's under the airbox and has pipes running into it that route through the area you pictured. Maybe the oil is running along the pipe and then dripping off where you see it?? That's a common oil leak and easy enough to fix (new sender). I'm no mechanic though, so you may be better of waiting for one of the experts to come along.
Thanks for the replies so far guys.
Ok, just an update, I cleaned all the gunk off the engine etc, went for a 2 hour spin have come back and there is no sign of a leak.
I will get her up again and check later as she cools down.
You know I sometimes get a low oil pressure warning on startup you then see the pressure increase rapidly as part of the warning if you look quick. It then goes away within a second.
I put this down to having no oil presuure at the sender at key turn.
D
Ok, just an update, I cleaned all the gunk off the engine etc, went for a 2 hour spin have come back and there is no sign of a leak.
I will get her up again and check later as she cools down.
You know I sometimes get a low oil pressure warning on startup you then see the pressure increase rapidly as part of the warning if you look quick. It then goes away within a second.
I put this down to having no oil presuure at the sender at key turn.
D
Been to check again.
The only thing I can find now is shown in the new pictures:
www.tfgf.co.uk/oil2.zip
Thing is not sure if that was left from my previous cleaning attempts,
however I am pretty sure that this is the suspect area.
Is this a likely ?
I also think it could be oil left from a sender update; is on a 54 plate.
D
The only thing I can find now is shown in the new pictures:
www.tfgf.co.uk/oil2.zip
Thing is not sure if that was left from my previous cleaning attempts,
however I am pretty sure that this is the suspect area. Is this a likely ?
I also think it could be oil left from a sender update; is on a 54 plate.
D
LeeT350c said:
IMO I still think its what's left from the old sender. They go on the end where the connection is and the drips go where you have shown.
Will leave it with you.
Cheers. Lee.
Lee, tend to agree now, just had another good root around and absolutly no evidence of oil anywhere.Will leave it with you.
Cheers. Lee.
Plus the fact she hasnt used any oil and I am very methodical with the dipstick marks; I replaced my dipstick and marked it up in graduations between the min and max marks. It has stayed the same give or take a mill or two.
thanks
D
just an update for anyone interested.
Basically I decided to renew the auxillary oil seal, however seeing as I was there, I decided to renew the outer cranshaft oil seal too.
I wasnt 100% convinced which it was but like I say decided to do both.
After removing the harmonic balancer on the crankshaft I decided to check the torque setiings on the timing cover bolts.
All ok apart from one which sits behind the Harmonic balancer; it was loose.
I had noticed some sign of fluid there but like I said when checking it was loose.
A little 598 and all fixed.
No more leaks from anywhere, thankfully.
Also this myth about removing the engine to remove harmonic balancer is as in other posts just a myth.
It can be done easily, it will take time but a methodical approach and all is well.
Removing the balancer is a task but I had a modified puller knocked up in the shop.
D
Basically I decided to renew the auxillary oil seal, however seeing as I was there, I decided to renew the outer cranshaft oil seal too.
I wasnt 100% convinced which it was but like I say decided to do both.
After removing the harmonic balancer on the crankshaft I decided to check the torque setiings on the timing cover bolts.
All ok apart from one which sits behind the Harmonic balancer; it was loose.
I had noticed some sign of fluid there but like I said when checking it was loose.
A little 598 and all fixed.
No more leaks from anywhere, thankfully.
Also this myth about removing the engine to remove harmonic balancer is as in other posts just a myth.
It can be done easily, it will take time but a methodical approach and all is well.
Removing the balancer is a task but I had a modified puller knocked up in the shop.
D
Totally agree...I just did a top-end rebuild all with the engine in situ. Some difficult stuff but if you're not in any hurry and cant easily remove the engine it *can* be done
The bolts behind the damper hold the plate that retains the front oil seal. Are you saying one of those was leaking ?
The bolts behind the damper hold the plate that retains the front oil seal. Are you saying one of those was leaking ?
PHP,
no it wasnt the ones that hold the crankshaft seal holder in place it was the one to the right of them, it holds the timing cover to the block.
If you look closely you can see an oil trail.
Picture before installation of new seals obviously.
Cars only done 11.5k too !
and this new image uploader works a treat, saves alot of messing about.
D
no it wasnt the ones that hold the crankshaft seal holder in place it was the one to the right of them, it holds the timing cover to the block.
If you look closely you can see an oil trail.
Picture before installation of new seals obviously.
Cars only done 11.5k too !
and this new image uploader works a treat, saves alot of messing about.
D
Edited by bubblebobble on Saturday 26th May 13:10
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