Bad oil leak that I just cant seem to locate, please advise...

[quattro527]

The problem started last week, and worsened through the week. Basically, during normal cruising/driving, I don't get this problem. However, once I'm on boost, I would get oil to accumulate all over the top of the valve cover, including some of it being burned and vaporized on the exhaust mani. I've been trying all week to find the source, but seems like it simply "splatters" all over the upper/driver side of the car. I run my A/C most of the day as well, and the A/C fan basically "blows" all of the oil...to far back as the firewall.

I've been topping off the oil, and driving it daily til I can really pinpoint the problem. So tonight on the way back from home, I was toying with a Mustang GT (beat him btw...but it aint saying much )...bare in mind the 1G is currently bone stock with a EvoIII 16G running stock boost as a replacement to the blown stock turbo when I bought the car. After some long and spirited pulls, I took my exit and stopped at the light. I then see a patch of oil coming from underneath the hood... basically more oil getting onto the exhaust/turbine....and my motor is completely DRENCHED with oil... pics below:

Oil all over the valve cover, including the intake manifold, power steering, D/S engine mount:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Looks like there is a trail of oil inside the valve cover gasket, but it could simply be trapped in there from being blown in. The valve cover gasket was replaced 2 weeks ago:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

More oil on the firewall...

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Some oil even managed to blow OUTSIDE the hood... on the quarter panels as shown below:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

So the question is: WHERE THE HELL is this coming from? So far, I've replaced the following seals/gaskets and done the following:

-Cam Seals
-Crank Seal
-Oil Pump Seal
-Balance Shaft Seal
-Valve Cover Gasket, which was a Fel-Pro kit purchased at Autozone if that means anything.
-Oil Cap
-Checked/tightened valve cover bolts

Typically if I had a leak from the bottom (oil filter assembly), I wouldnt think the oil would splatter to the top of the engine...even with the A/C fan blowing correct? The leak obviously looks like it's coming from the top of the motor, towards the driver side... but WHERE? Unfortunately there is so much oil just everywhere...it's almost impossible to pinpoint. I would think maybe the valve cover...however I recently replaced that, even thought it was some Autozone/Fel-Pro kit. I DO see oil along the crack of the valve cover, but once again...it could possibly be blown in there.

I am running low on solutions here... any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[ixsaves13]

I've heard some issues where under boost some oil dip sticks pop out. Another possible place to check would be there. Check to see if there is oil build up on the metal pipe holding the dip stick. That could explain why you have oil over your valve cover all the way towards the firewall on the right side of your motor.

Another possible place could be from a crack on the actual valve cover. Under higher pressure, more oil could be squirting from the crack / hole.

You may want to try to locate the leak by keeping the motor on and having a friend press on the gas while your in front of your car. I wouldn't stand right in front since i don't think you want to get burned by the oil. Also keep in mind to do this after the car is warmed up, as the viscosity of the oil changes when it reaches operating temps. (whip away all oil residue first before any tests are done, so it will be easier to locate it).

Hope this helps.... Problems like these always are a burn.

 

[ixsaves13]

oh, and also check your oil lines that are around your motor and lines going to that 16g.

Good luck!

 

[fourreGsixty3]

Chech the cas oil breathing hose, its on the left side of the 1G head and it goes down to the intake pipe, if that comes loose it will send oil splattering all over your engine bay. Hope I could shead a little light on your problem. Also check feed and return lines from your turbo, and any other hoses containing oil, because I had a similar event with my car but with a coolant line, it had split, and held tight under load, but once I let off and the pressure went down in the system it would open and spray the entire engine bay.

 

[dominick1985]

i agree on the dipstick.

 

[gernoff]

I've often seen the leak coming from loose or worn out banjo fittings. In particular the one at the head feeding the turbo.

 

[brute]

Dipstick. I've had (and still have) this problem.

 

[mike000g]

thanks i thought i was the only person with this problem.they way i found out was like he said i had my brother sit in the car and give it gas,when focusing on the valve cover i see the oil siping right by the screws .look like the valve cover was cracked.luckly i had a spare valve cover from my hyundai elantra .yup sounds funny but i swapped it and no more oil

 

[ixsaves13]

Glad that you found your leak... it sucks knowing you have one and can't source it out!