Oil dripping on exhaust, looking for source

[91WhiteSHOpa]

Once things warm up to op temp, I get some nice oil smoke from a drip that's dripping on exhaust on passengers side. Any chance anyone would know by some Cosmic Intervention where this is? or do I have to just go taking things apart and hoping for the best?
Not alot of oil, just enough to turn heads.

May the Source be with you.

 

[GreenSleeper]

more than likely your front main crank seal..............i just went through this..........

 

[Dr. Tweak]

Also perhaps the rear cam seal.

 

[sdpatt]

Exactly where on the exhaust is the oil dripping? If it is burning off of the front bank catalytic converter then it is dripping from the drain port at the bottom of the lower timing belt cover. The source of that leak would most likely be the front main crank seal (National 710220, about $8), one of the two intake camshaft seals (Fel-Pro set of three TCS45870 for about $15 or singly as the National 1213N for about $5 each) or even the front bank valve cover seal.

If the oil is dripping on the power steering pump and rear motor mount area then the leak is likely from the rear bank exhaust camshaft seal, the rear bank valve cover seal or even a valve cover bolt seal.

You would be much better off in time and money spent if you first determined where the leak is coming from before you start replacing parts.

 

[91WhiteSHOpa]

Exactly where on the exhaust is the oil dripping? If it is burning off of the front bank catalytic converter then it is dripping from the drain port at the bottom of the lower timing belt cover. The source of that leak would most likely be the front main crank seal (National 710220, about $8), one of the two intake camshaft seals (Fel-Pro set of three TCS45870 for about $15 or singly as the National 1213N for about $5 each) or even the front bank valve cover seal.

I have to go back and re-evaluate it now. My clutch just got un-stuck so now I can run her again.....

If that's it, then it should be easy to really prove that it's coming from there, right? I mean once I get some things apart and look, there oughtta be pooling or something(like when my water pump went not too long ago), right?
And how hard is that to replace (main crank seal, or any of them)? we talking removing the engine from the car to get the crank to get the seal? lol

You would be much better off in time and money spent if you first determined where the leak is coming from before you start replacing parts.

Yeah, sounds good.. I'm not real big on doing unnecessary work. That's why I'm askin you guys...lol

Thx

 

[91WhiteSHOpa]

Front bank catalytic converter, right on. Fortunately, it's only dripping when the engine is running, so all this time my SHO sat it didn't drain... lol... it IS coming out of the lower timing cover weephole, so now I should go in and take off my pulleys and covers and take a good look, I suppose.

 

[sdpatt]

Before getting into that you should be prepared. You will have to remove the battery, battery tray, engine roll damper, serpentine belts, crankshaft damper, intake balance tube, timing belt covers, loosen the timing belt tensioner, remove the timnig belt and remove the crankshaft timing belt pulley.

Once all has been removed to replace the front main seal, a new timing belt and serpentine belt installation is no extra effort. And how old is the crankshaft position sensor? If more than about 40,000 miles old, it would be preventative surgery to replace that too.

I highly recommend looking at the AutoZone.com repair guide section for the procedures if you do not have a service manual. The replacements mentioned above constitute the "front end 60K."

 

[91WhiteSHOpa]

Funny enough, I replaced the water pump and timing belt within 150 miles(a year ago
wonder if I messed with the seal while I was in there....
How important is it to replace that sensor? Don't know it's history of replacement on this vehicle.

As for Autozone.com's instructions, the rear main seal is listed there, but not front....?
Ack...

 

[91WhiteSHOpa]

It's not the main seal. I pulled the crank damper pulley, and I can see that it's not coming from the main... Gonna try to post pics, it's closer to the front end of the car, but I don't see an actual source.

How hard is it to replace a oil pan gasket?

Cheers

 

[91WhiteSHOpa]

Oil Leak Picture

Any thoughts as to what would be here to leak oil? It may be higher but there's too much stuff for me to see any higher...

Thnx...

 

[clindahl]

Anyone ever tell what that is leaking from? I'm looking at the EXACT Same leak area.

 

[sho_sc]

This is the first time I've seen this post, but from the picture it looks like it is coming from the front oil pan seal. HOWEVER, it could just as easily be coming from the oil pump/block gasket OR if the oil path starts "higher" it could be coming from the front cam seals or valve pan gasket.

It's hard to tell sometimes because oil does run down hill and it can start high on the engine, find a "hidden" path and become visable down low on the block.

 

[Yamaha V6]

Make sure the lower bolt on the alt belt tensioner bracket is socked down well, otherwise it'll **** out of there too (12:00 on the green circle).

 

[SHO Type U]

One of the cam seals, behind the timing cover.

 

[clindahl]

I never did follow up on this one, but I found my leak. It was the oil pump to block gasket w/ 130k miles on it. Pulled the pan, timing belt and then the oil pump to fix. Done in 1 day

 

[socialdeviat]

If the oil is dripping on the power steering pump and rear motor mount area then the leak is likely from the rear bank exhaust camshaft seal, the rear bank valve cover seal or even a valve cover bolt seal.

Okay so I changed the Valve Cover gasket, Powder Coated them Silver, So I know the leak isn't coming from the valve cover. But it is indeed hitting the PS Pump. making it look like the PS pump but the fluid loss is definitly Oil. Almost 4qts in 2 days.

How difficult is it to change. In terms of average Joe mechanic with Rebuilding skills, and a good side of the street and weekend to ****?? Thanks fellas, Ill keep searching the forums for this one.

 

[projectSHO89]

Okay so I changed the Valve Cover gasket, Powder Coated them Silver, So I know the leak isn't coming from the valve cover. But it is indeed hitting the PS Pump. making it look like the PS pump but the fluid loss is definitly Oil. Almost 4qts in 2 days.

How difficult is it to change. In terms of average Joe mechanic with Rebuilding skills, and a good side of the street and weekend to ****?? Thanks fellas, Ill keep searching the forums for this one.

Reach your fingers under the cam sensor housing. If they come out wet with oil, the rear cam seal is leaking. The seal is only a couple of bucks, but the replacement of the seal is a bit tricky due to it's location. Very doable, but a bit restricted on space....

Steve

 

[socialdeviat]

i JUST GOT all 4 front cover/cam seals. I have three that have a bonded ring/spring seals, and the last (Im assuming the rear) is the straight rubber one. i got these from ford. Let me know if that last one is right.

 

[socialdeviat]

Anybody?

 

[socialdeviat]

anybody? I need to know if the far rear seal is just a soft rubber one that doesn't have a metal reinforcement. Or do I reuse the original metal ring?? Thanks for anything fellas.