I cant figure out where this oil is coming from! *pic inside*

[cyclonekid77]

I have an oil leak behind my timing cover and I cant figure out what where its coming from. All the gaskets are new when the engine was built about 4000 miles ago, all bolts have permatex thread sealant on them, and the bolts are all there and tight. Here is a pic of the inside of the timing cover. The area in between the idler and tensioner pulleys is where it is the wettest and it doesnt go any higher than that. Here is a pic of the inside of the timing cover.

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[pur97tsifwd]

could be from the pullys or bearings that or from the belt melting.

 

[cyclonekid77]

Everything is brand new, and the belt definitely didnt melt. The oil is getting on the pulleys and getting flung but I dont think its acutally coming from them. I just cant find the leak. Ive tried fixing it more than once and I cant get rid of it.

 

[anteversion]

this is not some oil leakage. looks more like dust from timing belt slightly rubbing against
something.

 

[cyclonekid77]

I am 100% positive this is an oil leak. The oil collected dirt which is why it has the dust look. Dust doesnt make the timing belt wet and drip on the ground....

 

[snowborder714]

It looks like it's coming down from the top, so the only things around there are cam seals, valve cover gasket, and the head gasket.

 

[cyclonekid77]

It looks like it's coming down from the top, so the only things around there are cam seals, valve cover gasket, and the head gasket.

The last time I tried to fix this i replaced the vc gasket and the cam seals. I reallyyyy hope its not the headgasket. It could be though. That valve cover you powder coated for me looks great by the way

 

[snowborder714]

I sure hope it's not the head gasket either.

No problem. It looks great from the pictures Jim sent!!

 

[cyclonekid77]

I dont know what is causing it. I keep looking at it but I just dont know. I need to put it back together to go to work and I guess Ill tear it apart again tonight or something.

 

[snowborder714]

I would take it apart, but leave the timing belt on. Then possibly try 'priming' the engine by spinning the oil pump and checking to see if you have any leaks?

Or take off the cover and start it and just watch for leaks.

 

[cyclonekid77]

Yea, I did try that a minute ago. I gave the whole frontside a brake clean bath and wiped it down. I put the pulleys back on for the pump and alternator and fired it up. I couldnt see a leak so it must do it only under load? The oil pressure probably goes up under load and pushes it past the head gasket or the front cover gasket.

 

[snowborder714]

Try revving and holding it for a minute or two? Or revving a few times?

Or drive around a bit without the cover?

 

[cyclonekid77]

Ok, Ill try revving it up and holding it for a bit. I revved it a few times the first time and I didnt see anything. From the head up its dry when it does leak so that would leave the front cover gasket or the head gasket rite?

 

[snowborder714]

Yep, that would rule out the valve cover and cam seals.

 

[DSM Jeff]

I had an oil leak similar and it was coming from behind the oil pump gear. I removed it and sure enough there was a trail leaking down. It would then catch the belt and end up through out the timing cover.

 

[snowborder714]

Good call, I never though to ask if the timing belt was oily or not.

 

[92awddsm]

Oil pump seal, ft bs seal, or bs plug if the bs has been removed.

Napa make a uv oil dye you can use to pinpoint it. Clean the front, pour the dye in, crank it up, then look for a bright orange glow using a blacklight. The slightest seepage becomes very apparent when using the dye and a blacklight.

 

[snowborder714]

Based on Keith's post and looking at the oil, I'd guess the oil pump seal. It's probably being carried up the timing cover by the belt, but not getting past the two pulleys.

 

[bling5tatus]

I would have used the UV dye a long time ago to find the leak... it's really a lot easier than all this guessing stuff.

 

[kahl23]

I know exactly what it is. You have oil pushing out of the main oil seal due to overly high oil pressure. The oil is getting picked up by the timing belt and being flung around and deposited where you see it (I had the exact same pattern and problem). You need to port the oil relief valve (do a search if you don't know what I mean by that). You also need to replace the timing belt. Even though it isn't wet, it is saturated with oil, which weakens it. Before you ask, the oil is absorbed so quickly you really wouldn't see a slick on the belt. Dye doesn't work in this case, because the oil goes flying everywhere in a mist, so the entire timing belt side of the engine ends up glowing. Let me know if you've got any questions.

 

[bling5tatus]

There should be a noticeable difference in what glowing mist spatter and a drip coming from the seal would look like... plus the highest concentration of "mist" or drip would be where the origin of the leak is... good advice though none the less.

 

[kahl23]

The problem is that it literally coats everything. I tried the dye, like I said, the entire timing belt side of the engine glowed bright green.

 

[cyclonekid77]

I had an oil leak similar and it was coming from behind the oil pump gear. I removed it and sure enough there was a trail leaking down. It would then catch the belt and end up through out the timing cover.

Yep, this was the problem.

 

[DSM Jeff]

Yep, this was the problem.

Port out your oil filter housing pressure relief valve. Also are you running straight cut oil pump gears or helical cut?

My brand new mitsu pump did this. I found my oil pressure was way too high. I have balance shafts removed and straight cut pump gears which I've heard can raise the pressure. I ported the oil relieve area and have lowered my pressure. I'd still like to mess with it, but I have another project to finish.