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97 Eclipse GSX - Suspect oil filter cooler housing leak. Can damage be seen?

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Scottinalaska

Probationary Member
29
2
Jun 28, 2017
Anchorage, Alaska
Just completed a timing and balance shaft belt job. Yes, both belts. Even put a bit of silicone on the bolt holding the balance shaft tensioner because I heard that can leak on deletes. But it NOT deleted. New crank and cam seals. New pulleys, tensioners, WP.
After putting it together, noted oil leaking only when it was revved to 3K. And it was doing that before the job. That was what convinced the owner to do the job (and it is at 120K). No seals that I replaced showed more than a little seepage. Certainly, nothing to justify this gusher, but maybe...I was wrong.
So I removed the crank pulley and lower cover to access the oil filter housing. Nothing LOOKED bad. No cracks that I was hoping to see. Timing belt area was dry except for the recent oil that "appears" to be coming from inside the timing cover. And it is, just at the bottom as seen in the photo.
After sealing it back to the block supplemented with Mercedes Benz nonsilicone sealant to ensure NO leak (used sparingly!), I let it alone for 24 hours and started it back up.
NOTHING changed. Oil practically pours when held at 3K by a second person and me looking at it.
I removed the oil filter. VERY tight. Had to use a wrench. It has only 1000 miles on it. Maybe that can damage something?
If I need to buy a new housing, source recommendations?
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thanks guys.

Scott
 
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Are the balance shafts deleted? The hole where the BS pulley mounts will do that if a bolt isn't put back in it after doing a BSE.
Where does the oil come from exactly? Can you tell, or is it under the front cover?
 
All is stock. Both balance shafts are still intact. Even put a bit of silicone on the bolt that holds the front balance shaft tensioner in the block to ensure no leakage.
When it begins to leak, it pools at the bottom of the timing cover. It does not leak outside of the cover. But when the lower cover is removed, the only wet part is coming from the oil housing area. Yet the housing "looks" fine. Perhaps there is a crack at the top of it. I just don't know where these fail.
Obviously, the next step is to reassemble without lower cover and watch her run!
 
Great idea, DSMPT.
I'll get those readings then before busting it all apart...again!
 
Got the readings! Upon cold start (garage temperature is 60 degrees with synthetic 5W30). Startup promptly swings to 85 psi. Revving it takes it to 105psi
I have a low-pressure gauge up to 100 and high pressure up to 400. Both of them registered the same responses, so it is accurate.
 
Sounds just like the oil pressure on my fresh build in my 92 Talon. I am leakless (KNOCKING ON WOOD).
 
A bore scope would work to look in there before you had to tear it down, but it won't fix a leak.
I was looking at one of these, even though I do have a bore scope. This works with a phone!
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I was really hoping someone would say, "That is WAY too much for 120k mile car!" I have a borescope, but where to look will be the challenge. I am afraid without any other thoughts, I'll be removing the lower cover and running it.
 
I was really hoping someone would say, "That is WAY too much for 120k mile car!" I have a borescope, but where to look will be the challenge. I am afraid without any other thoughts, I'll be removing the lower cover and running it.
Healthy numbers as cold start. But it would be too much if you would still have 85 psi at idle after the oil gets operating temp.
Yes, removing the cover and inspect physically is the best way. There are some common locations of oil leak on front case, such as the timing belt tensioner bolts, balance shaft belt tensioner bolt or balance shaft gear seal etc etc.
 
FOUND the leak! It was the seal behind the BALANCE SHAFT gear. I'll presume it is the seal. I never removed the gear. I suppose this isn't standard to replace like the cam and crank seals. But I sure wish I did it when I did the job the first time. Now, to find a seal.
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Anyone have part numbers, easy sources. I have a feeling this may not be common at our parts stores. Thanks for all your patience.
Scott
 
FOUND the leak! It was the seal behind the BALANCE SHAFT gear. I'll presume it is the seal. I never removed the gear. I suppose this isn't standard to replace like the cam and crank seals. But I sure wish I did it when I did the job the first time. Now, to find a seal.
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Anyone have part numbers, easy sources. I have a feeling this may not be common at our parts stores. Thanks for all your patience.
Scott

Glad to hear that. As I mentioned above that the balance shaft gear seal is a common location to leak.
The part number of the seal is MD343565 (or MD069950). You can order it online through any stores that carry Mitsubishi parts, like the links below.

https://www.extremepsi.com/store/OEM-Balancer-Shaft-Oil-Seal-Mitsubishi-Eclipse-90-99.html

https://www.maperformance.com/produ...ce-shaft-seal-4g63-multiple-fitments-md343565
 
Thanks, DSMPT. I am already getting ready to put this in...as soon as I locate that seal and now I have sources, thanks to your links. Maybe someone has it in town. But probably not.
 
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