Complete 60k and Bad Oil Leaks

[JRA2000TL]

After I returned from the SESHO meet in Nashville, my 89 seems to have sprung more oil leaks. Previously, it had a small leak around the pan (must've not sealed it properly after doing rod bearings). Now, it has started leaking onto the front most cat with smoke coming upward there between my p/s pump and water pump and up through the back corner of the engine/firewall are where the CID is.

Now I've replaced ALL of those seals: crank seal and all 3 cam seals. I used National / Timken seals and did NOT use Fel-Pro. I drove the car yesterday around the block a few times to get it warmed up. I was told to check the altnernator tensioner pulley belt as for some reason oil can leak around there? I made sure it was tight but did not put thread sealer on there.

I also had an occasional intermittent bogging/misfire sensation; then the car would take off with full power. Tach was bouncy during this behavior. Code 48 - High flow unmetered air (check for large vacuum leak, inlet hoses etc.)
Electronic Ignition - coil primary circuit failure - Ignition Systems

Other code was EGR and some garbage code. Tab on DIS is broken, figured it may be a loose ground.

As for the oil leaks....where do I start? Looks wet around the crank seal, but I made sure it was seated well when I replaced it--could be runoff from something else. I'll feel under CID again and see if it's oily under there. I have no idea where else to look. Maybe the oil pan leak itself has gotten worse? Any ideas? Car is due for an oil change, so I guess I'll just drop the pan and re-seal it when I do that and check again?

 

[msteiny]

Since the tach is bouncing I would say pull the CID and check for oil behind the sensor, that one is a PITA. we all know its hard to see if its seated right or if you tore the seal while you were replacing it. I have gone through numerous seals trying to get it right. As for the oil pan I would make sure there are no more leaks from up top first. It might be the low oil sensor leaking, Its a crappy design to start with and known for its poor seal.

 

[JRA2000TL]

The low oil sensor does leak. Stupid me replaced it since I was replacing all other seals. It did not leak previously, but it does now. I found out that's one of my drop here and there minor leaks. I'm not as worried about that, but the one leaking onto the cat is pretty bad. I can't drive the car much because I don't want it to catch fire.

 

[JST4SHO1]

I had the same problems of oil onto the cat and went through every seal made for the cams until I got the Ford ones and replaced it while I had the valve covers off and no more smokey SHO.
I even used the rotunda kit with a Ford seal and it leaked then I decided to check the rear valve cover for the leak I was having, its really hard to get to it even with the right tools/everything out of the way.

 

[91PDXmocha]

Take off the upper cover and inspect behind the sprockets for oil. Jack the car up and look at the bottom of the lower cover, does it look like its leaking there ?

My guess is you didn't get the cam seals seated well, or a pinched leaking rear valve cover gasket. Double check all the cam plate bolts at press down on the rear cam seal . I had those a bit loose and was ******* out right onto the rear cat.

 

[itwonder]

My guess is you didn't get the cam seals seated well, or a pinched leaking rear valve cover gasket.

Yup. Oil inside the CID cavity will tell you. Try again with Ford seal and keep it straight going in; greaseon the lips and RTV around the perimeter makes it a messy mess to handle. Make sure the end of the camshaft does not have a burr that is cutting the seal. Stretch electrical tape over it for protection if necessary.

 

[rubydist]

in my experience, the "coil primary circuit failure" code has a 50/50 chance of being the DIS rather than the coil. add in the fact that your tach is erratic at times, and I think the DIS is your culprit rather than the coil.

the oil leak you describe is most likely from the rear cam seal. this one is by far the hardest to get in successfully, so that is my bet.

 

[jimtash]

Leaking onto the front cat could be the oil cooler. I know when mine leaked, that's exactly where the oil ended up going.

 

[JRA2000TL]

Thanks for all the info. For the misfire, I'll swap in a new DIS. I accidentally broke the rear tab on it when I removed and set aside the intake for the top 60. The connector came loose once before after I broke it and the car bucked wildly and shut off--scared the crap out of me.

As for the leaks, I'll pull the CID 1st and check to see i there's oil in it. If so...:cuss:. That far rear cam seal is a job I never want to do again. Come to think of it, that far rear cam seal was bad when I bought the car; leaked a giant puddle BEHIND the front cat. It's not doing that since I replaced it. Makes me wonder if it's something else, which would be good. Crank seal is a PITA just because you have to remove the pulley and belt.

 

[Bob Gervais]

Burn it.