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[sophos9]

I'm leaking oil and really need some help please

Right, the symptoms... When I'm driving and have to stop at a junction or something I get a good whiff of oil through the climate control. The other weekend, I stripped out the passenger side rocker cover gaskets and replaced, there was not evidence of leaking (plug wells totally dry). After changing I have checked all around, definitely no leaking.

I'm not losing lots of oil, when I get underneath I can see evidence of oil leaking over the oil filter and several drips collecting around the front (engine facing) side of the autobox... I know this is not conclusive as the wind will move oil all over the place.

Where is the intake of fresh air that feeds into the blowers, I'm sure the leak must be around that area. I have no mixing of coolant/oil and the oil cooler unions are completely dry.

I'm totally at a loss, will check the drivers side cam cover this weekend now over to you guys PLEASE  

[TheBoy]

The air intake is through pollen filter.

Oil under bonnet always seems to get whiff into cabin.

Check drivers side (just pop the plug leads looking the oil)...

[sophos9]

The air intake is through pollen filter.

Oil under bonnet always seems to get whiff into cabin.

Check drivers side (just pop the plug leads looking the oil)...

Hi mate,

Ahhh... got it so if the oil is burning anywhere the smell will be pulled in! Will check it out, should be much easier than the passenger side if it is the problem!

[JamesV6CDX]

Oil is leaking onto the filter?

If the camcover gasket is not leaking, my money would be on the oil cooler to block unions.

[sophos9]

Hi mate, thanks for the reply.

Yep, oil is making its way down that side of the engine however I have not read 100% into this as the oil could get blown all over the place.

I've checked the oil cooler unions to block (cleaned and checked), the leaking is coming down from much higher up...

These are a few I've thought of, could you please add to the list of possible leaking points...

Head Gasket
Passenger Cam Cover (changed and tested, 100% OK)
Drivers Cam Cover
Oil Cooler Unions (Looked when stripped down, no evidence of leaking)
Oil Cooler Unions to Block (Checked)
Oil Filter (Checked)
Oil Filler Neck (Not checked, no evidence on the manifold of burning oil though)

The plot thickens...

[Marks DTM Calib]

My comments

Head Gasket -  Unlikely....there is only a single pressurised oil way through it and thats at the font of teh block, the other oil ways are at less than atmospheric pressure thanks to the engine breathers.

Passenger Cam Cover (changed and tested, 100% OK) - Fine

Drivers Cam Cover -  Most likely suspect.....

Oil Cooler Unions (Looked when stripped down, no evidence of leaking) - At which ones, the ones in the valley?

Oil Cooler Unions to Block (Checked) - As in tried to nip them up?

Oil Filter (Checked) - Is it coming from above this?

Oil Filler Neck (Not checked, no evidence on the manifold of burning oil though) - Give it a visual, easy to see from above.

[sophos9]

Hi Mark,

Head Gasket -  Unlikely....there is only a single pressurised oil way through it and thats at the font of teh block, the other oil ways are at less than atmospheric pressure thanks to the engine breathers.

Thats great news!
 

Drivers Cam Cover -  Most likely suspect.....

Will pull the plugs and have a poke around it
 

Oil Cooler Unions (Looked when stripped down, no evidence of leaking) - At which ones, the ones in the valley?

Yep, the ones that connect to the oil cooler
 

Oil Cooler Unions to Block (Checked) - As in tried to nip them up?

As in cleaned around the area and checked it all over after idling and a short drive, no visible oil. Bought some crowsfoot sockets just incase
 

Oil Filter (Checked) - Is it coming from above this?

I changed the oil filter, check around the block to ensure all was perfectly clean with no scratches. Cleaned the area and again, no visible leaks
 

Oil Filler Neck (Not checked, no evidence on the manifold of burning oil though) - Give it a visual, easy to see from above.

Will take a look, if it was leaking them it would run straight down to the manifold, the top of the manifold is clean

I must be honest and say I have been focusing on oil hitting the manifold only NOT just getting heated and dispersing a smell.

If the drivers cam cover is leaking into the plug holes, would this create the burning oil smell?

Thanks for the help