Oil leak / smoke coming from firewall area.

[Mr95Gl]

As I've mentioned in my other threads, I just did the VC gaskets. Now there's smoke coming from the rear of the engine. My first thought was maybe I rolled the VC gasket, but as I passed my hands around the VC, and head, I could feel no fresh oil. None at all in fact. I was thinking maybe its the cam seal, that has the cam sensor in front of it. The smoke was present before, after some hard driving which presented itself after a trip to Mass, but thought it was the VC.

I'd like to eliminate that cam seal as a culprit by replacing it. Is it possible for me to replace it by just removing the cam sensor, and housing? I have an extra one here from the front 60K I preformed on an MTX, and IIRC, I don't believe the timing cover, nor any pullies are its way to remove it. Thanks!

 

[doclees]

Well I don't know about everybody else but that one is the toughest to get at. So I would recommend removing anything in the way. Just no room to use tools or get leverage. When I did my 3 I started with the front. If I recall I used a awl to tap a small hole to start a metal screw at 180 deg. Now I could use pliers to work it out. I used this one with the screws over the others and screwed into the under seal. You may want to use sheet metal screws so you can use a socket instead of a screwdriver. To install the seal **** it and press on with a pvc pipe coupler or reducer. I cant remember. Now you will need a lever to push it on all the way like a piece of wood or large screwdriver. Now that I have said all that you may want to crawl under the engine with a light and look at the rear valve cover seal and check for leaks that can be missed with running your hand from the top. I did the brilliant job of pinching my ground strap under the gasket. Killed the gasket. I don't smoke anymore. Use a lot less oil.

 

[Mr95Gl]

Thanks for the suggestions. Actually, I've done a cam seal install on an MTX, and on the ATX, the rear cam seal sits further forward, so its abit easier in comparison. I'm quite positive I don't need to remove anything to get to it, or so I'll find out in the morning. I'm hoping I haven't screwed up the VC gasket either!

 

[TYSHO]

Yes, the ATX rear cam seal is easy to replace alone. However, you can find out if that's where the leak is coming from or not without having to do anything but check with your fingers. Position your hand in there and feel on the bottom side of the cam sensor. If there's fresh oil, there's a leak. If not, then there's no leak.


FWIW, I was having a small leak problem that only got worse. It turned out to be my power steering pressure hose leaking. When I had the wheel turned fully to the left, it would spray out fluid like crazy, all over my y-pipe. The problem came after the suspension upgrade and aggressive driving.

 

[Mr95Gl]

Yes, the ATX rear cam seal is easy to replace alone. However, you can find out if that's where the leak is coming from or not without having to do anything but check with your fingers. Position your hand in there and feel on the bottom side of the cam sensor. If there's fresh oil, there's a leak. If not, then there's no leak.

I've done that very thing, and I do feel oil. Not sure how to tell if its fresh or not, because there's alot of crude in that area.

FWIW, I was having a small leak problem that only got worse. It turned out to be my power steering pressure hose leaking. When I had the wheel turned fully to the left, it would spray out fluid like crazy, all over my y-pipe. The problem came after the suspension upgrade and aggressive driving.

I also had that in mind, but the smoke only occur while it was parked. I didn't turn the steering, nor did I move the car. I've heard so many positive things about that PS pressure hose removal!

 

[socialdeviat]

Yes, the ATX rear cam seal is easy to replace alone. However, you can find out if that's where the leak is coming from or not without having to do anything but check with your fingers. Position your hand in there and feel on the bottom side of the cam sensor. If there's fresh oil, there's a leak. If not, then there's no leak.


FWIW, I was having a small leak problem that only got worse. It turned out to be my power steering pressure hose leaking. When I had the wheel turned fully to the left, it would spray out fluid like crazy, all over my y-pipe. The problem came after the suspension upgrade and aggressive driving.

The rear cam seal you refer to is the one with the Cam Sensor correct? OR am I thinking this engine backwards. Transverse engines always get me confused. I have all four seals but Im told theres only 3. I have 3 that are the same Yes, but one that is not bonded to a metal ring and spring sealed. Would that be the one to replace?

 

[Mr95Gl]

The rear cam seal you refer to is the one with the Cam Sensor correct? OR am I thinking this engine backwards. Transverse engines always get me confused. I have all four seals but Im told theres only 3. I have 3 that are the same Yes, but one that is not bonded to a metal ring and spring sealed. Would that be the one to replace?

Correct, the rear seal I'm referring to is the one behind the CID (Cam Sensor). You only need 3 seals. There are two located behind the Cam Sprockets, which can be accessed by removing the upper timing cover, and the one behind the CID.


I'm convinced it isn't the VC gasket. For one, I solved my idle problem (some idiot forgot to tighten the intake hoses) so I let the car sit and idle for 15-20mins. No smoke. I then proceeded to drive the car, making several turns, but never getting on it, or never hitting the secondaries. Stopped, let it idle, had the hood open, no leaks, no smoke, no nothing. Well I decided to romp on it, and walla, welcome smoke.

If it was the VC gaskets leaking, it would've immediately started leaking onto the rear exhaust shield and started to smoke (once it got hot enough). I do see alot of oil by the PS pump, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed as I do these cam seals.

 

[socialdeviat]

Removal of the rear valve cover and intake are necessary correct? If so thats what Im doing now.

 

[Mr95Gl]

Removal of the rear valve cover and intake are necessary correct? If so thats what Im doing now.

To do the Cam Seals? No. The only thing on the intake that needs to be removed is the CrossOver tube, which has the DIS mounted to it. Just loosen the outer screws on the hose clamp, and pull it off.

If its the Front 60K you're doing, here's a good step by step guide that can assist you. . . .http://www.shophoenixproject.com/lower60k/lower60k.htm

 

[lithy]

I'm kinda having this same problem. I was having a slight oil leak and smoke coming off the front valve cover. So i went ahead and did my Upper 60k, did both VC gaskets. Now I have a leak that is burning off onto the first cat. I'm frustrated because I'm having trouble determining if its the cam seals that just started leaking or the rear VC if I rolled it.

I figure I'm gonna go ahead and do a front 60k since I know the car needs it, then if we're still smoking I guess I'll redo the VC gaskets since that one is easier.

 

[socialdeviat]

My prob is that I just fixed my VC, I rolled that, When I installed that new gasket, it must have pinched my cam seal (it was old and rock hard. Assuming it hadn't been replaced by the original owner. (I got it with 112k)

I just redid it all in about 4-5hrs. Rear cam seal was WAY easier with the upper intake out of the way and Valve cover off. Just so much more access. I replaced the silicone under the cam Cap, and I have yet to see a leak. Im letting it cool down now, and Hopefully the excess oil on the cats will burn off by the end of the week.

 

[socialdeviat]

The reason I removed the VC in the first place was mostly because I had a feeling it was rolled when I installed it.

I have so much oil everywhere that it is gonna take a LONG time to finish cleaning it. If only I could get to the cats easy enough to spray them down with a pressure washer.