Did a leaking oil seal caused all this ?

[98GSTA95GSXM]

Here's the story, car starts leaking all of a sudden a lot of oil. Good thing it was already by my driveway we noticed it. Took the timing covers off and it was saturated in oil. My oil pump pulley is missing a nut ànd is grinding on the lower timing cover. I did a timing belt a few times on this car but never have I or anyone else touched the oil pump pulley nut. Shaft does not have any play in and out. What is the problem here? Do I replace the seals and put a new nut on the pulley. Did the oil caused the nut to come off???

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[DSMPT]

You are actually kind of lucky. The timing cover held the oil pump drive sprocket in its place until you noticed. If it didn't, it was going more messy.

Did the oil caused the nut to come off???

No, contrary. The loose nut/oil pump sprocket caused the oil leak. That nut is known to get loosen if the nut isn't torqued properly and/or if the thread part is not degreased well. Some people use loctite or some used to weld the nut back in the day.

 

[954g63gst]

blue loc tight one drop. I would inspect the drive and driven gears for excessive play the smaller gear may have been wallowed out if it backed off the balance shaft. T answer you question yes you found the oil leak.

 

[98GSTA95GSXM]

You are actually kind of lucky. The timing cover held the oil pump drive sprocket in its place until you noticed. If it didn't, it was going more messy.

No, contrary. The loose nut/oil pump sprocket caused the oil leak. That nut is known to get loosen if the nut isn't torqued properly and/or if the thread part is not degreased well. Some people use loctite or some used to weld the nut back in the day.

So the loose sprocket actually caused the leak.
Is it because it was wobbling after the fact that the nut came off?? And the oil came leaking from the around the shaft?

 

[DSMPT]

So the loose sprocket actually caused the leak.

Correct. Because the oil seal is sealing the sprocket, not the the drive gear shaft. So when the sprocket position is not deep enough or loose, it would start to leak.

Is it because it was wobbling after the fact that the nut came off?? And the oil came leaking from the around the shaft?

Not exactly. You see the sprocket grinded and cut the timing cover, which means the sprocket was popping out and contacting with the cover. When the sprocket pops out, it would leak because it's not sealed anymore at where should be sealed on the sprocket.

 

[98GSTA95GSXM]

Thank you now I understand this mystery. Im just unsure why the nut came loose.

 

[954g63gst]

engine vibrations on a small bolt. Nothing to think about. Its very common just make sure the threads are dry of any oil on installation. Also use one drop of temporary loc tight.