Oil Leak

[ledzilla]

I've had a small oil leak for a while, but I've been having trouble trying to find the source. It doesn't leak unless the engine is running, and seems to be spraying oil onto the serpentine belt. Because of that, it's made a mess all over the front of the motor, and gotten the alternator rather dirty. It looks like it's coming from near the A/C compressor, and I'm venturing a guess that maybe there's pressure blowing it out through the oil pan gasket. I've replaced the PCV valve, thinking maybe it wasn't working correctly, but that didn't resolve the issue. Is it possible that if a spot on the pan gasket just happens to go bad, it would spray like that?

[ctrlraven]

The best way to find the leak yourself is to clean everything up real good, then run the motor for a short period of time and re-inspect the areas where you think it might be coming from.

[justbob]

Check the crank sensor and the power steering sensor directly below the A/C.


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[fastblackmerc]

Does the A/C work OK?

Check the receiver / dryer, especially the bottom. They tend to rust out on the bottom.

[RF Overlord]

I'm venturing a guess that maybe there's pressure blowing it out through the oil pan gasket. Is it possible that if a spot on the pan gasket just happens to go bad, it would spray like that?The crankcase isn't (or shouldn't be) pressurised so I don't think it would "spray" out.

Like others said, clean the area with some Brakleen or Gunk Engine Degreaser and see where it's actually coming from.

[sailsmen]

The area in question goes from the PCV valve to the A/C to the oil pan gasket? I would look for several leaks.

[ledzilla]

I have tried cleaning it, and I haven't had much luck. I guess maybe I was using *****y degreasers. The A/C doesn't work, hasn't had any refrigerant in it for something like 5 years. I've been needing to completely rebuild the system after the accumulator rusted through and some unknown individual got it into their head that trying to lift the car from the radiator was a good idea. So many parts in need of replacement...

Where ever this leak is, it's leaking onto the belt near the bottom of the motor, and then the oil is travelling along the belt and dispersing from there. I'm pretty sure it's coming from near the A/C compressor, and that's where it's the worst. My efforts to clean that area were ineffective.

But what is in that area that could be pressurized? Because the oil is certainly not dripping onto the belt, and it's not getting blown onto it either.

[sailsmen]

Clean your entire engine, jack up the front, block it and then run the engine while looking for the leak.

Don't be like that Cobra owner and get killed by the car when it falls off the jack.

[ctrlraven]

A strong cleaner you can use is Berrymans B12 Chemtool cleaner. If areas are pretty bad, use a small wire brush while wet with the chemtool cleaner.

https://www.berrymanproducts.com/assets/011301170120-219x300.png

[BUCKWHEAT]

alternative for you is to take the MM to a competent shop. Good shops solve leak problems all the time.

[ledzilla]

Oh, I have only ever had a car come down off of jacks once, and that was the first time I lifted something with front wheel drive. Had only ever worked with jacking rear wheel drive for several years prior and was so much in the habit I didn't think about it. Good thing it started falling before anyone was under the car.

Is this Chemtool stuff available at local part stores? I need to be heading to one anyway to buy a can of clearcoat. Got a couple of projects it'll be helpful for.

[ctrlraven]

Oh, I have only ever had a car come down off of jacks once, and that was the first time I lifted something with front wheel drive. Had only ever worked with jacking rear wheel drive for several years prior and was so much in the habit I didn't think about it. Good thing it started falling before anyone was under the car.

Is this Chemtool stuff available at local part stores? I need to be heading to one anyway to buy a can of clearcoat. Got a couple of projects it'll be helpful for.
Yes, local brand name part stories should carry it.

[ledzilla]

Well, I had to crawl under the car to take care of an errant brake dust shield, so I took a closer look at the leak. This time, at least, I had a good shop light and a jack that can actually lift the car. It looks like it's the timing cover, and it's leaking between the A/C compressor and the tensioner pulley.

[Cobra432000]

The one and only oil leak that I've ever had was coming from the oil filter mount gasket

[DrZ]

My #2 Marauder had a leak from the front cover. Remove the serpentine belt and tension pulley. Clean it in place, I used simple green and hot water with electric pressure washer. If there is a crack in the aluminum cover two part epoxy works perfect for repair. It used to be called Super Weld. Great for motorcycle engine repairs. Change the oil and filter. Water in the oil won't help your engine.

[justbob]

Many covers have bad casting and seep oil but normally over a very long time.


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[ledzilla]

Once I can get the brake lines replaced in the other car, so in case the process takes too long or I need to buy stuff, I can start digging further into this. I think the leak started in late 2012 to early 2013, as I seem to remember first seeing oil on the alternator around that time. I suppose once I can dig into it I'll know for certain if it's just a bad gasket or something worse.

[ledzilla]

My #2 Marauder had a leak from the front cover. Remove the serpentine belt and tension pulley. Clean it in place, I used simple green and hot water with electric pressure washer. If there is a crack in the aluminum cover two part epoxy works perfect for repair. It used to be called Super Weld. Great for motorcycle engine repairs. Change the oil and filter. Water in the oil won't help your engine.
I might have trouble with that technique as I don't have outdoor access to running water. The best I have available is a two gallon chemical sprayer.