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Oil leaks and heavy driving (not oil pressure) 200 1986

posted by  geodonuts on  Sun Jun 26 00:40 CST 2016
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last visit: Tue May 27 23:38 CST 2014
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Hey guys! Just wondering about an oil leak I've recently developed at the front of my engine. It is NOT due to oil pressure (I have checked this extensively and maintain a clean flame trap/PCV system), and it gets very very prominent with heavy driving. Around town the leak is minor, but after driving uphill for an hour and climbing a few thousand feet of elevation I had a solid leak running out onto the exhaust pipe, smoke everywhere. Driving flat ground I don't get this dramatic of a problem, and it only drips a few drops parked overnight.

I'm just wondering what the correlation between heavy driving and this leak might be. Is that pretty standard for most front engine leaks, or does this narrow down which of the seals I should look to replace? Seems like either front cam, crank seal, or valve cover but this is all new to me. Degreasing the engine didn't help pinpoint anything because (i think) the leak is coming from beneath the timing belt cover.

If that sounds familiar to anyone I'd love to hear your thoughts, thanks fellas!








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    Oil leaks and heavy driving (not oil pressure) 200 1986

    posted by  james_a_sousa on  Sat Jul 2 19:03 CST 2016
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    last visit: Thu Oct 23 18:51 CST 2014
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    Please don't tell us that the timing belt was changed without changing the seals.

    If you paid a mechanic to do a TB and he did not recommend seals, you should show him what can happen if he does it to another brick.

    IPD sells several kits that include seals, and only one belt without them.

    I cannot find the seals alone

    Right now they have al kit for $20







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    Oil leaks and heavy driving (not oil pressure) 200 1986

    posted by  james_a_sousa on  Sun Jun 26 09:35 CST 2016
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    You will be remiss if you do not change the timing belt and seals.

    If the leak is as you have described, the timing belt most likely has oil on it already.

    Even at a dealer, new seals are inexpensive, add only a few dollars to a timing belt replacement - then you will have tens of thousands of miles without worrying about this issue.








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    Oil leaks and heavy driving (not oil pressure) 200 1986

    posted by  sjulier on  Sun Jun 26 09:13 CST 2016
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    Replace seals: cam, crank and intermediate shaft. The problem is not oil weight nor will a heavier weight effect a leaking seal in the long run.

    I just returned from a 1900 mile trip from CT to Indiana and Ohio. OATs were 88-92 degrees, OT 230 degrees highest. Engine burned almost no oil and is bone dry. I'm running Delo XLE 400 10W30 (HTHSvis of 3.5).








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    Oil leaks and heavy driving (not oil pressure) 200 1986

    posted by  81242DLB21FCA on  Sun Jun 26 07:00 CST 2016
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    last visit: Thu Oct 23 22:26 CST 2014
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    The connection between heavy (heavier load on the engine) driving is oil temperature. Even though we use a multi-viscosity oil, it still thins with temperature. An example of this is normal higher oil pressure on starting a cold engine.

    The leak is most definitely likely to be a front seal(s) that need replacing. If you are using 10w-30 and doing heavy driving regularly or for extended periods, especially in hot weather, it may be a good idea to switch to 10w-40.

    Is there any oil on the side of the engine, around the spark plugs, and on the exhaust manifold?








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      Oil leaks and heavy driving (not oil pressure) 200 1986

      posted by  geodonuts on  Tue Jun 28 17:19 CST 2016
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      last visit: Tue May 27 23:38 CST 2014
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      Very well then. This (and others here) pretty well get to the heart of the matter.

      The timing belt was done about 30-40K miles ago but back then the seals were fine. To answer your question here YES I do get some oil on the manifold and near the plugs, but not very much -- mostly it's beginning about midway down through where the belts are and then running towards the back of the engine via the passenger side, towards the bottom and around past the oil filter to the exhaust pipe. I will now read up on how to do all of these seals and prepare for when I have ample time to do them.

      good to know about heavier weight oil. i'll keep that in mind for the rest of summer and mountain driving.

      thanks guys!








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        Oil leaks and heavy driving (not oil pressure) 200 1986

        posted by  Rolandp on  Sun Jul 3 17:30 CST 2016
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        Oups...

        In my previous post I mentioned about cleaning a dirty flame trap which might create pressure and force oil through seals.

        I forgot to mention that not only the flame trap should be cleaned but also the vent hoses and the connector at the inlet manifold. This allows fumes in the crank base to vent out instead of building pressure in there.








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      Oil leaks and heavy driving (not oil pressure) 200 1986

      posted by  Rolandp on  Sun Jun 26 07:58 CST 2016
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      last visit: Wed Oct 15 17:36 CST 2014
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      I agree with you about "heavy load" and "oil viscosity". Some oil seal may also need replacement.

      Heavy load and oil viscosity may help generate more crankcase fumes. So I believe flame trap should be also checked and cleaned because crank case pressure must be vented through it.








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    Oil leaks and heavy driving (not oil pressure) 200 1986

    posted by  jwalker on  Sun Jun 26 06:35 CST 2016
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    last visit: Fri Jun 6 08:39 CST 2014
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    Sounds like one of your front engine seals. Don't wait too long. It will only get worse. Is your timing belt near due? Makes sense to me to do all 3 seals and the timing belt while in there then you'll be good to go for another 50k.







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    Oil leaks and heavy driving (not oil pressure) 200 1986

    posted by  1pocket on  Sun Jun 26 04:15 CST 2016
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    you have a worn seal. depending upon where the leaks is will tell you the likely offending seal.

    1. cam
    2. crank
    3 intermediate shaft

    is my order of preference although 1 and 2 are close to even







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