1996 talon tsi 4g63 leaking oil

[erik02]

I have an oil leak somewhere on my engine that I have not been able to pinpoint. I assume it's only leaking bad when under boost as I can't just let it idle and see it. The leak is coming from the timing belt side, oil is hitting the hood, alternator, power steering pump and I can see some oil squeezing past the exhaust manifold. The power steering pump does not appear to be leaking, and the oil pump looks okay as well. I have replaced the valve cover gasket, inspected the cam seals, and replaced the oil pan gasket.

The car runs fine, no stutters and builds boost great. My question is, how likely is it that the oil is leaking past the middle bolt on the manifold and causing all my problems, and is this normally a warped head? I don't have the proper tools to dive in and pull the manifold at this exact time so I'm researching for now. I have looked at various threads pointing to cam seals, valve cover, oil cap, dipstick, etc. It just doesn't make much sense to me that I am getting oil directly above the timing belt (no cover) if it is indeed the manifold bolts causing the issue. Any one have experience with a similar issue?


Thanks in advance.

 

[mpizano89]

Have you checked for any cracks on the actual valve cover?

Hope it's nothing major!

 

[mitsubishimanic]

mine did this but it was my dipstick popping out from a bad pcv system under heavy boost.

 

[mpizano89]

mine did this but it was my dipstick popping out from a bad pcv system under heavy boost.

I'm guessing its a common thing with DSM's considering STM sells an "upgraded" version that has a tab welded to keep it from popping out?

 

[Turbosnatch]

You say its squeezing past your manifold. Could it be coming from the manifold? Could be the valve stem seals or, check the manifold studs as these pass extremely close to oil passageways and can sometimes work loose and leak oil out

 

[Cdc1221]

I'm guessing its a common thing with DSM's considering STM sells an "upgraded" version that has a tab welded to keep it from popping out?

Its common with any 20 yo car with a 20 yo pcv system. More prevalent in a forced induction engine without a proper pcv setup. Read here http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-engine-fuel/366890-4g63t-pcv-system.html

As for the op, that definitely sounds like a cracked valve cover. They commonly crack around the spark plug valley on the timing belt side, and you may not even be able to see it until you take it off and look at the bottom side

 

[MagicKief]

I had the same problem, ended up being my front seal