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 Post subject: Tracking oil leaks
PostPosted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 12:20 pm 
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Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:29 pm
Posts: 15
Ive noticed quite a bit of oil on the drain pan surface, and been trying to track it down. I have the impression is from the pan gasket, but a few things are suspicious as well. I had the turbo drain replaced in the past, I am seeing it has oil around it, but I cannot imagine it would go bad in 2 years. I wonder if something serious is causing the oil to seep out, or if it just a simple gasket making a mess everywhere. Additionally, the valve cover broke at the site where the cam lock pins go (this is also leaking, but opposite side of the turbo drain. Will make it difficult to replace the timing belt in the future without replacing the valve cover itself?
Here are some pics of the leak around the pan. There is green wire sensor towards the front of the turbo drain, it has oil there as well. I didn't saw any towards the front of the engine itself.

Im leaning towards the pan gasket being the problem, while trying to imagine how it splashes up in some points.

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 Post subject: Re: Tracking oil leaks
PostPosted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 12:00 pm 
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Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2007 5:00 am
Posts: 378
Location: Sydney Australia
That weep indeed seems to be the sump gasket.
Its probably stating the obvious to you but have you considered that you might reduce it considerably by checking the torque around the pan. It might just be enough - you know the old strategy - clean it then nip up or t'other way round and watch for future weeping to develop PITB of course. You might just get the edge if the gasket is slightly compressed. Bugger of a job though.

The oil could just be wicking around on the soil and such like that is present and making the bottom end look worse than it actually is. As for the top end - well that's a good deal more complex. Oil does love to wick along CI (cast iron) - its a lovely dirty metal isn't it?

Best of luck. The bottom end pics look like an annoyance more than anything else but I was a tad uneasy about the amount of tracing around the oil filter. You obviously use reasonably good gear given that Oil filter type though. :D


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 Post subject: Re: Tracking oil leaks
PostPosted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 7:42 pm 
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Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:29 pm
Posts: 15
Thanks on the advise... and the compliments. I going to see if a simple wrenching stops it or at least slows it down.

This website has been super helpful, as if I were to rely on a mechanic for each and every little burp this gets, it becomes pricy to diagnose. Im no wrench monkey, but I get around. I might tackle this one myself, and probably deep in there and see what else needs breaking... err fixing.


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 Post subject: Re: Tracking oil leaks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 7:09 am 
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Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 9:15 am
Posts: 5431
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
I'd agree that the leak appears to be the oil pan gasket and that some careful tightening of the bolts might help. Beyond that:
1. if it's that gasket IIRC replacing it can be a real pain as the pan cannot be dropped while the engine is in the vehicle. Whether or not it can be dropped far enough to replace the gasket with appropriate Permatex I don't know but the leak while unsightly appears minor.
2. for what it's worth oil leak points can be hard to pinpoint as oil runs/blows everywhere so if it doesn't stop you might consider a good degreasing of the engine and use of a UV dye to find the actual leak point(s)

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs


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