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Author Topic: Very BIG oil leak  (Read 4269 times)

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Very BIG oil leak
« on: 05 March 2018, 18:18:46 »

Car : 3.2 MV6 196K
Rocker Gaskets replaced last summer at about 183K with genuine parts. 
Proper cleaned out breather tubes on top of engine. .
Oil changed at 193K with genuine GM Fully Syth and Filter. (Cast Housing)

No leaks until 3 weeks ago.  Started small, I always check the oil before a long journey (and I do a lot of them) and I've been adding a bit more often but now on Thursday I had to top up after 100 miles into a Journey, and Then again 80 Miles later (on Sunday) and again this morning at 70 miles into a Journey, AND then another 70 miles this afternoon, and now 70 miles on it needs more. I calculate about 6 litres for about 450 miles.  That's a lot of rust proofing on the exhaust and lots of it on the floor.

I've not had it up on the ramps, (as Snow and rain and doesn't fit in my garage) but had it running and had a look at the filter housing area, and seems to be pouring down the back of the engine.

At first I wondered if the little wiring plug next to the Oil Filter Housing is likely to leak? but seems to be above that.  (Car is too low to see without ramps)



When the Rocker gaskets were leaking before it was all very slow.  Yes there was an advisory on the MOT, but nothing like this.

And it hasn't been leaking in at least 12K since I did them.

So what are we thinking ? 
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Bigron

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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #1 on: 05 March 2018, 18:24:37 »

Oil filter gasket?

Ron.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #2 on: 05 March 2018, 18:29:12 »

clean the entire area with some sort of degreaser, so you can see where the leak is. There are a number of potential causes on that part of the engine: either end of the filter housing(which are easily damaged by cack-handed mechanics), the crank sensor(highly unlikely), the oil cooler pipes and fittings, or even the cam cover gasket.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #3 on: 05 March 2018, 18:50:45 »

My money would be on the gaskets being misfitted or warped covers coupled with sludged up breathers...

Might have been sealed adequately at the time of doing, but if the breather box at the back of the 135 head wasn't lifted and cleaned out, then they'll definitely be gunged up, especially if the journeys are short and the oil hasn't been changed in 12 months  ::)

Would be enough pressure to pop a poorly fitted half moon at the back of the cams... Misfitting these will cause oil to pour out whilst running.

The good news is that these can be checked by feel... Expect what feels like a quarter inch lip all around each location... Any more/less and you've found your issue :y
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #4 on: 05 March 2018, 19:08:09 »

My money would be on the gaskets being misfitted or warped covers coupled with sludged up breathers...

Might have been sealed adequately at the time of doing, but if the breather box at the back of the 135 head wasn't lifted and cleaned out, then they'll definitely be gunged up, especially if the journeys are short and the oil hasn't been changed in 12 months  ::)

Would be enough pressure to pop a poorly fitted half moon at the back of the cams... Misfitting these will cause oil to pour out whilst running.

The good news is that these can be checked by feel... Expect what feels like a quarter inch lip all around each location... Any more/less and you've found your issue :y

Since Christmas, my use has been 100 miles on Monday, then 6 miles X 8 trips then 100 miles on Friday.  Plus a 450 mile around trip in Feb.  Don't tend to use at weekends.

Oil Changed every 6K and last time was 3K ago.  GM oil.

I shall check the Half moons.   
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #5 on: 05 March 2018, 20:01:04 »

My money would also be on a half moon leaking. Not many other things will allow that much to escape.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #6 on: 05 March 2018, 20:17:10 »

Just had it on my little ramps. From what I can see without disassembling everything is that it seems to be coming from the Oil filter housing.  :o
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #7 on: 05 March 2018, 22:13:06 »

Sounds like you've slackened the retaining bolt when you last changed the filter. Guessing that it was bastid tight and the retaining pin on the casing has snapped off allowing it to unscrew.

As it is something that will happen again, best bet is to buy the threaded adapter and change to spin on.

Simply tightening the existing retainer won't stop it leaking as the seal on the back of the casting will be oppsed.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #8 on: 05 March 2018, 22:30:43 »

That is now the plan.  :-[
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #9 on: 06 March 2018, 10:37:27 »

Sounds like you've slackened the retaining bolt when you last changed the filter. Guessing that it was bastid tight and the retaining pin on the casing has snapped off allowing it to unscrew.

As it is something that will happen again, best bet is to buy the threaded adapter and change to spin on.

Simply tightening the existing retainer won't stop it leaking as the seal on the back of the casting will be oppsed.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90579.msg1155460#msg1155460 

The adaptor is no longer stocked by any UK Vauxhall dealer  :-\

If anyone knows where I can get one quickly (or even can measure the thread so I can have one made)
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #10 on: 06 March 2018, 10:44:41 »



http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90579.msg1155460#msg1155460 

The adaptor is no longer stocked by any UK Vauxhall dealer  :-\

If anyone knows where I can get one quickly (or even can measure the thread so I can have one made)


It probably wasn't ever stocked by any dealer, as it's hardly a wear part; I had to order both that I bought.


It's an  M18x1.5 thread, about 40mm long.


But even though I could make one, it simply isn't worth the time: LINK
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #11 on: 06 March 2018, 11:10:10 »

Should have it from QED tomorrow THANKS  :D :D :D :D :D
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #12 on: 06 March 2018, 17:35:41 »

Result  ;)
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #13 on: 06 March 2018, 20:24:27 »

Result  ;)

A little premature. Result is when It's not leaking (much).
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #14 on: 06 March 2018, 20:39:58 »

Result  ;)

A little premature. Result is when It's not leaking (much).


On a Vx V6, not leaking much is equivalent to airtight. They're filthy things normally.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #15 on: 07 March 2018, 20:38:17 »

Part did not arrive today  >:(

My midweek landlord has lent me one of his spare cars.

a petrol 3.2 V6 Vauxhall, with leather seats.....









and a 4 wheel drive selector lever.........Yes it's an N reg Monteroy A proper Buz
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #16 on: 08 March 2018, 21:15:40 »

Adaptor arrived.  :y

Took 2 hours grappling on the floor this evening to realise that I don't have a hex drive big enough to remove the hollow bolt holding the old casing in.

Any Idea what size it is.

My biggest hex drive is 10 mm and I attempted to put tape around it but to no avail.



 
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #17 on: 08 March 2018, 21:26:19 »

Either 12 or 14mm...

Does the guide not say?  ::)
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #18 on: 08 March 2018, 21:33:24 »

Either 12 or 14mm...

Does the guide not say?  ::)

Now I look again, it says 12 mm 

Grrrrrrrrrrr.  I will have to purchase new tool.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #19 on: 08 March 2018, 21:42:24 »

Either 12 or 14mm...

Does the guide not say?  ::)
12mm hex (allen key) or 27mm socket. Mine was 27mm socket. It's hard to see inside which it is, needs a mirror and a torch.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #20 on: 08 March 2018, 21:45:41 »

No mirror needed, I could see that my biggest drive of 10 mm was too small,  Tried wrapping it with tape, but that NEVER works except on You-tube videos.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #21 on: 08 March 2018, 21:46:32 »

Thinking about it, if you pull the canister away from the block whilst turning it counterclockwise, it might undo...
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #22 on: 08 March 2018, 21:52:26 »

I think it's 17mm. If you can get an M10 bolt, with a couple of nuts locked together you can undo it with a socket.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #23 on: 08 March 2018, 21:59:02 »

I think it's 12mm. If you can get an M10 bolt, with a couple of nuts locked together you can undo it with a socket.
According to the guide ;)

I bought this...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-TRX-Star-Hex-Spline-Bit-Set-42pc-3-8-1-2-Sq-Drive-AK219-/152927183505

To deal with it. Far more use than this one job ;)
« Last Edit: 08 March 2018, 22:01:27 by Doctor Gollum »
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #24 on: 08 March 2018, 22:03:28 »

I think it's 17mm. If you can get an M10 bolt, with a couple of nuts locked together you can undo it with a socket.

Guide says 12 mm.  Is it 12 or 17 ? My midweek landlord actually has a 12 mm drive, but he says there's a VERY good automotive tool supplier around the corner from his industrial unit.  His retired mechanic uncle and his retired mechanic mate, are going to "help" me tomorrow. I clock off work at noon. Hopefully I can get it sorted before too long, and get back home to Miseryside for tea. (From Wolverhampton.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #25 on: 09 March 2018, 08:30:17 »

The first one I removed was part of an exhaust manifold removal job. The second was because I could not remove the cap, and cracked the canister trying. I then discovered that I could easily saw/smash the aluminium canister to get access to the retaining nut.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #26 on: 10 March 2018, 21:23:49 »

Took a while to get the 12 mm drive into the hole, because I'd made a mess of it trying to improvise on Thursday. 

I now owe a mate of the uncle of a mate for lying down in the dirt and  getting it out. Because I, the fantastic chartered engineer that I pretend to be, was too ham fisted to do it.

Anyway, by 1pm yesterday it was all sorted.

I drove home 100 miles with no significant oil loss. But there is still a tiny leak from somewhere. BUT not worthy of panic.
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Re: Very BIG oil leak
« Reply #27 on: 11 March 2018, 01:06:49 »

That may be just oil residue that has been blown back whilst driving onto other components from the previous leak dripping off the engine / gearbox when it gets warm. I would be tempted to clean off as much as you can with brake cleaner, and see the leak continues. If it does, then you should be able see where the new oil leak is coming from. If it stops, then happy days - it will just have been oil from the previous leak.
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