engine oil leak drivers side of bay

[skunkworks]

Well I have developed a heck of an oil leak on the left side of the engine. again. Now this weekend I am going to tear into it to see where it is coming from. Now I just bought a new oil fill cap yesterday because it seemed like there was a bit of oil around there. I can hope that is it but I don't think I am that lucky.

It has been 10000 miles sense the new oil pump (new crank seal) and I have replaced the oil cooler lines at that time. I am thinking there is probably oil on the timing belt as there is a little oil on the alternater bracket and also on on the plastic cam covers in the valley. the oil dripps on the drivers side cross member then to the ground. I see there is oil dripping from the oil filter and the front of the oil pan. (I change the filter sense it has started leaking so I don't think it is that).

Here are the spots I am going to be checking
oil cooler lines again
front turbo oil line
seam where oil filter housing meets oil pump
cam seals
front main seal

where else should I be looking
has anyone else had similar leaks were it was collecting on the alternater casting?

thanks
sam

[skunkworks]

well I went out to look at the car and because I remembered that I had vented the rear valve cover to the atmosphire though a large fuel filter. I looked at the fuel filter and it was full of moisture and frozen.

I think I have been pressurizing the crank case when I have been boosting causing the oil to come out where ever it can.

Any thoughts?

sam

[cbatters]

Originally Posted by skunkworks

well I went out to look at the car and because I remembered that I had vented the rear valve cover to the atmosphire though a large fuel filter. I looked at the fuel filter and it was full of moisture and frozen.

I think I have been pressurizing the crank case when I have been boosting causing the oil to come out where ever it can.

Any thoughts?

sam

100% agree...

Under light load, there should be a small vacuum in the crankcase if the PCV is doing it's job so air would be flowing through your filter into the crankcase. If the filter was clogged, no hard done except you may haver a little "extra" vacuum in the crancase.

Under boost, the air-flow through the filter is reversed as the PCV valve will close and blowby gasses will tend to pressurize the crankcase. If the filter was blocked/frozen, the excess pressure in the crandcase would try to push oil out every possible seal/orfice of the crankcase (which might explain your leak.)

Lose the filter and you may lose the leaks.


Clint

[skunkworks]

I hooked the rear valve cover back up to the intake and it looks like my oil leak went away. I thought it was still leaking but I think there was so much oil on the engine and underbody that it took a few days to stop all togather. I am now not leaving a 6 inch in diameter spot of oil when ever I park the car. I ran the crap out if it yesterday and when I got home - no oil drops.

Oh well - live and learn

sam

[cbatters]

Originally Posted by skunkworks

I hooked the rear valve cover back up to the intake and it looks like my oil leak went away. I thought it was still leaking but I think there was so much oil on the engine and underbody that it took a few days to stop all togather. I am now not leaving a 6 inch in diameter spot of oil when ever I park the car. I ran the crap out if it yesterday and when I got home - no oil drops.

Oh well - live and learn

sam

Excellent find...


Clint

[cbatters]

Originally Posted by skunkworks

I hooked the rear valve cover back up to the intake and it looks like my oil leak went away. I thought it was still leaking but I think there was so much oil on the engine and underbody that it took a few days to stop all togather. I am now not leaving a 6 inch in diameter spot of oil when ever I park the car. I ran the crap out if it yesterday and when I got home - no oil drops.

Oh well - live and learn

sam

I need to check that hose on mine to make sure it is not crimped/clogged. (I have a minor leak that I have blamed on old front main seal but your experience makes me realize that it could also be a clogged rocker->intake hose.)


Clint