New Member, new SHO, New problems :)

[jmmagyar]

This is going to be a long first post, but wanted to give all possible information to you guys!!

First off, 1994 ATX 3.2. I am the second owner, well actually my Mom was the first owner, and I just basically inherited last week when she went off and bought a 2001 Camaro Z-28. Believe it or not, she also owns a Birkin Lotus 7, and a Lotus Europa. And she is pushing 60. God, I love my mom... LOL

The SHO has recieved excellent maintence with oil changes every four to six months. Which was always less then 3,000 miles

The problem,

Oil smoke and leak passenger side between rear valve cover and fire wall. The leak is up high, but can not tell exactly where. I shot a ton of brake cleaner down there to rinse the area off so I can get a better idea. But its right at the corner of the engine on the back side. The area right under the wires were pretty much coated in oil, so it looks like it might have been doing this awhile.

Smoke I would classify as light. And smoke only noticable when sitting still with hood up or if you pull into a garage and close the door. Smell does enter the passenger area after about 15 minutes of driving. Smoke will start within 5 minutes of engine running. It is oil smoke.

Now, 6 months ago, she took it to the shop The car is at 67,500 right now. Yep thats right...67,000 on a 1994 original owner, that I trust...And she gave it to me Here is a list of the parts they did. I will type verbatim, as I do not understand all the abbreviations.

Fan Control Module
Induction Cleaners
F/I MNT GSKT
Manifold Set
IGN Wire Set
Spark Plugs
Fuel Filter
transmission filter
Trans Fluid
BG Auto Trans Kit
BG Power Steering Service Kit
BG Brake Fluid
V/C Gasket
Electric Fuel Pump
RMF CMPRSR
Hose ASSY 55613
Hose ASSY 55642
DPFE Sensor

The bill was $3200. She did not even blink at it. Just told them if it needed it, fix it.

Now, I have no power loss, a couple of small spots of oil in the driveway, dime size after 100 mile drive and letting sit overnight. The smoke does not seem to worsen the longer you drive. No smoke out the pipes, and the pipes feel even as far as exhaust pressure. Engine is stock.


I will look at the link to the 60,000 mile service link I seen in someone sig. As the car is is very good shape, I want to make sure it stays that way. I could take pics of the actual space where the leak is if that would help. But it was way up high. So, I am guessing Rear Valve Cover gasket. Thats what I think after the 100 or so posts here I read researching.

Anyway, want to get it fixed. It bugs me because something is wrong and I do not want it to get worse. Ideas? I am in the Wichita KS area...in case any people in the area want to take a look, over a beer or two of course. My treat

James

 

[projectSHO89]

James,

Welcome aboard. Sounds like your Mom took really good care of your car.

Oil leaks in the area you described are usually the rear cam seal, sometimes the valve cover gasket.

Luckily, there is a simple check that can be made to determine which it is. With the engine cool, just reach your hand in there and feel the bottom of the housing that the cam sensor is mounted to. If your fingers come out wet with oil, it's probably the cam seal. If dry, it's a VCG. Additional confirmation can be made by removing the cam sesnor and looking for oil inside the housing. There are two additional cam seals that also can leak, but they typically deposit their oil so that it appears to be either a front main or oil pan gasket is leaking.

For an automatic, the "60K" service isn't due until 100K so you have plenty of time for that.

FWIW, it looks like that shop threw everything it could think of at the car. I find it hard to believe that all those systems were in need of repair including the A/C system, cooling fan, EGR system, fuel pump, etc.. There's a pretty good amount of preventative maintenance items in there (transmission, PS, brake fluid, intake cleaning, plugs, wires, fuel filter, etc. ) so some of the service was probably suggested. Guess your Mom has excellent credit and someone had a boat payment due...

Steve

 

[Rockledge]

FWIW, the rear cam seal is located behind the CID sensor, here's a sketch for reference.

 

[jmmagyar]

Thanks guys,

The AC Service was probably needed it appears from the bill. There is a note on the bill that says she reported that the AC would not stay running cool.

I just checked for oil leaks and actually found none. So I am going to clean off the under part of the engine and get all the old junk off down there as well. I haven't drove but 30 miles or so since I blasted the area with brake cleaner and rinsed it off. I am thinking the smoke I got from that drive is just old junk that I couldn't get cleaned.

Will let you know what I find out.

James

 

[jmmagyar]

Okay, now I feel like an idiot. I think I found what is leaking, I just have not figured out where exactly yet. I do not think it is the rear cam seal. As I did the test and was dry after about a 100 mile drive today. However twice I noticed a noise coming from that side of the corner when turning at an intersection. So I pulled over and checked the power steering fluid and it was just about empty. Not showing on the dipstick at all. The hose appears to run right through the area where the leak is but I ran my hand down the hose and did not feel any fluid. However...I filled it up only 10 miles from home, so it might not of had time to leak yet. I checked the oil level and it was exactly the same as before...so I am more and more thinking it is the power steering hose. I just feel stupid because I couldn't tell the it was not oil.

So...off to monitor that for a few days. In a way, happy its probably not oil, but replacing the hose does not look fun either.

And I thought my Jeep had alot of nice little projects that come along with a vehicle

James

 

[projectSHO89]

Check to see if the PS hose is making contact with the belt.

If so, the belt will wear through the hose....don't ask me how I learned that....

Steve