Source of Oil Leak
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RE: Source of Oil Leak - 8/2/2006 5:48:17 PM
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Manybrews
Posts: 751
Joined: 5/23/2003
From: United States
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as I said, they ALL suffer from external leaks from the head gasket (located on the rear drivers side corner of the engine, as its the oil feed to the head).
other potential leaks are from the valve cover (although its usually just a little vapor).
a few other leaks that occur are usually HUGE leaks when 1) the oil pressure sensor ruptures, or 2)one of the cam seal pushes itself out of the head.
neither of the latter are common, but I have seen them each at least 2-3 times. Both of the latter will leak POOLS of oil onto the ground in short order only when the engine is running.
internal head gasket leaks are non-existant UNLESS someone severely overheated the engine, in which case the head would probably be warped. So you're probably not consuming coolant. rather, the water pumps have a tendency to "dribble" over time. Not so much as to be considered failed, but a little leak nontheless.
the headgaskets were redesigned twice in the life of the engine.
often, on older cars that arent worth much, the oil leak can be eliminated or limited mearly by removing the valve cover and re-torquing the head bolts, which loosen considerably over time.
it may not totally eliminate it (it usually does), but usually slows it to a drop or two a week. generally its worth trying.
of course, you could kill two birds with one stone and do the head gasket, which requires removal of the timing belt anyway. then the water pump access is easy.
< Message edited by Manybrews -- 8/2/2006 5:53:54 PM >
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RE: Source of Oil Leak - 8/3/2006 12:43:17 PM
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Manybrews
Posts: 751
Joined: 5/23/2003
From: United States
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quote:
ORIGINAL: andre2000
The pictures have been shrunk by photobucket so you cant read it anymore.
In the first one it shows an arrow pointing to the valve cover seam. Sludge is
built up between the valve cover and head. Also, it does look like something is
leaking out of the cam sensor aswell. It doesnt seem like those two things are what is
soaking the underside of the car with oil.
a bit of vapor seeping from the valve cover and cam seal is fairly normal over the years. Its usually not enough to be considered a "leak", and theres not much you can do about it.
you could replace the gaskets, which may help. Note that you CANNOT REUSE the valve cover gasket once it has contacted oil. It is designed to swell with contact of oil to improve the seal, but once it swells you will never get it back to its original shape, so if you plan on retightening the head bolts be sure to get a new gasket and 4 new plug seals.
quote:
Observations:
I did notice more signs of leakage after I get off the highway after an hour or so going around
75-80mph the whole way.
normal for the head gasket leak. It also has a tendency to blow around in the wind, so dribbles of oil will splatter at speed.
quote:
We did notice that the valve cover bolts were very very loose, not even finger tight.
the bolts have shoulders on them.. you cant really overtighten them, so just snug them down.
quote:
What I gathered:
So the best route I take it would be to first remove the valve cover, put it back and retorquing the bolts.
If that doesnt work then I should prepare to replace the head gasket, and water pump while I'm down there.
This would be a good time to replace the timing belt too huh?
Any suggestions for a particular brand of headgaskets? I'm staying away from ebay ones...
What about timing belts? Any good aftermarket ones?
BTW, how do you know so much? 
yes, that would be the way I would go. clean the engine after your done so you can monitor how much (if any) oil continues to leak.
yes, REPLACE THE TIMING BELT! no matter what you do with the oil/coolant leaks, the belt is good for 100k only, and the engine is an interference engine meaning you will bend valves severly if the belt breaks why you're driving.
I would recommend ONLY the factory gaskets, as they are now completely redesigned and work fantastic. They are (like most automakers) now made of multi-layered steel shims.
and I know so much because Ive been a mitsu tech for 15 years.
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RE: Source of Oil Leak - 8/3/2006 1:44:26 PM
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andre2000
Posts: 9
Joined: 7/29/2006
Status: offline
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Do you know the part # for the head gasket and valve gaskets etc... so I can order online?
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