Help me find my oil leak! Options

[bkrantz]

As I described in my build thread, last year, once I got the engine running, I noticed significant oil drops (or more) after each drive. With winter in full throttle, I decided to drop the motor, and see about fixing the leak.

Here's the view of the front. Maybe you can see some oil.

[bkrantz]

I found some oil inside the inner blowing housing, along the recess for the blower cage.

[bkrantz]

Starting from the top, the case seam looks OK.

[bkrantz]

The front seal looks a bit oil wet. But is the seal leaking, or oil blowing from elsewhere?

[bkrantz]

Lots of oil sitting on the top edge of the oil pump cover.

[bkrantz]

Quite a bit of oil pooled in the right motor mount bracket, probably dripping from the inner blower housing.

[bkrantz]

No oil visible where I would expect it if the cooler seals leaked.

[bkrantz]

Some oil sitting on top of the filter.

[bkrantz]

Meanwhile, underneath I might have just a bit of oil weeping from the outer pushrod tube seals and/or the valve covers on both sides.

[bkrantz]

But the inner seals, and the cylinder-to-case joints look dry.

Tomorrow, I will get in closer with more light. Any suggestions and ideas appreciated.

[Shivers]

Looking at that black wire on the front of the engine, does it end up reaching up so oil could follow it down to the wire zip ties? I see seepage, at the front seal, but nothing bad. I've had a poorly made oil filter leak and shoot oil out and looked like a cooler leak.

[porschetub]

Looking at that black wire on the front of the engine, does it end up reaching up so oil could follow it down to the wire zip ties? I see seepage, at the front seal, but nothing bad. I've had a poorly made oil filter leak and shoot oil out and looked like a cooler leak.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) front seal for sure,well be interesting to see why it is leaking,not generally a concern except on a high mileage motor.

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

you have an aftermarket oil pump, they are very very very hard to seal

As I described in my build thread, last year, once I got the engine running, I noticed significant oil drops (or more) after each drive. With winter in full throttle, I decided to drop the motor, and see about fixing the leak.

Here's the view of the front. Maybe you can see some oil.

[930cabman]

you have an aftermarket oil pump, they are very very very hard to seal

As I described in my build thread, last year, once I got the engine running, I noticed significant oil drops (or more) after each drive. With winter in full throttle, I decided to drop the motor, and see about fixing the leak.

Here's the view of the front. Maybe you can see some oil.

We have the same concern with an oil leak in this area, also running an aftermarket pump. Thanks to the good doctor. Why are they so hard to seal? covers not flat/

[bkrantz]

Thanks everyone. Based on what I see so far, I will replace the front shaft seal and O-ring, after checking the seal surface on the hub, reseal the oil pump cover, and replace the oil filter. Any other ideas?

[Superhawk996]

you have an aftermarket oil pump, they are very very very hard to seal

As I described in my build thread, last year, once I got the engine running, I noticed significant oil drops (or more) after each drive. With winter in full throttle, I decided to drop the motor, and see about fixing the leak.

Here's the view of the front. Maybe you can see some oil.

We have the same concern with an oil leak in this area, also running an aftermarket pump. Thanks to the good doctor. Why are they so hard to seal? covers not flat/

T1 pumps OD is usually a few thousandths smaller than the T4 OD. This allows some bleed by between the pump OD and the case. That puts all the sealing duty on that thin paper gasket.

[930cabman]

you have an aftermarket oil pump, they are very very very hard to seal

As I described in my build thread, last year, once I got the engine running, I noticed significant oil drops (or more) after each drive. With winter in full throttle, I decided to drop the motor, and see about fixing the leak.

Here's the view of the front. Maybe you can see some oil.

We have the same concern with an oil leak in this area, also running an aftermarket pump. Thanks to the good doctor. Why are they so hard to seal? covers not flat/

T1 pumps OD is usually a few thousandths smaller than the T4 OD. This allows some bleed by between the pump OD and the case. That puts all the sealing duty on that thin paper gasket.

I have wondered the same. Is this an application for a gasket in a tube? very sparingly of course.

Is there a doctor in the house?

[Superhawk996]

I have wondered the same. Is this an application for a gasket in a tube? very sparingly of course.

No. It’s an application to use the proper T4 oil pump (with a pinned or peened idler shaft). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

T4 pump OD is 2.7565” using a smaller OD T1 pump and gasket in a tube is just a cobble job in my opinion.

[930cabman]

I have wondered the same. Is this an application for a gasket in a tube? very sparingly of course.

No. It’s an application to use the proper T4 oil pump (with a pinned or peened idler shaft). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

T4 pump OD is 2.7565” using a smaller OD T1 pump and gasket in a tube is just a cobble job in my opinion.

I used a Schadek 26mm pump on a recent build and I suspect an oil leak at the cover. Not sure what is the OD of these pumps.

Bob, It makes some sense to replace the oil seal and O ring, but this is a difficult/tricky diagnosis.

[Krieger]

Starting from the top, the case seam looks OK.

I see oil at the top of the case on the right side under the filler chimney. Make sure the seal for the filler assembly to case are properly installed. I glue the cork rectangle to the metal "box" with 3m weather strip adhesive. I think there is also an o-ring at the base of the filler neck/metal box.