Leaking Oil from timing belt side

[Echo5Zulu]

Alright I just woke up the talon from the long winters nap and latest performance part install. For some reason Ive got a leak from the timing belt side of the engine. Found it because oil was being splattered all over by the pulleys and dripping on the ground.

I then took off the timing belt top cover where the cam sprockets are and saw a bunch of oil all over the timing belt. I wiped it all off and started her back up to check the valve cover gasket and that doesnt seem to be leaking as it is new as of last summer.

Looks like the leak is lower down and dripping on the belt and getting thrown around. From researching on this sight I saw people saying the leak could come from the oil pump shaft seal, front crankshaft seal, balance shaft seal, and camshaft seals. Now I havent messed with anything in that area such as timing belt replacement or anything so what would be the most likely culprit? What seal or whatever could just give out? I havent taken all the covers off to check it all out because I ran out of time, but thought Id ask for some advice for those who have experienced a problem such as mine.

Also is it a pain in the rear to replace those seals such as the oil pump seal? If anyone has personal experience with this please elaborate on your remedy. Thank you.

 

[Echo5Zulu]

Something just came to me; We did loosen the timing belt cover late last summer to get some more room to do a headgasket swap. It didnt leak last year but do any of those bolts pass into an oil galley and could all of a sudden start leaking? Thanks.

 

[BiG_DeE]

take off the spark plug cover then check to see if theres oil in there if so its your valve cover gasket, which is just about 12 bolts and then you take valve cover off replace gasket, the gasket kit at partsamerica.com is 51.90

 

[Echo5Zulu]

Yea the valve cover gasket is brand new but the seals at the end of the cams by the cam sprockets havent been replaced and it looks like thats were its comming from because last night I started tearing it all down and checking it all out. This ended up being a blessing in disguise because I also found the timing belt was loose which could slip, and blow the engine. I found out the crankshaft pulley is bad. The rubber got old and it was crooked and starting to eat away at the cover.

Soo that just gave me a good excuse to uprade a bunch of stuff. I just ordered up a timing belt kit, balance shaft removal kit, gaskets and seals, and a new underdrive pulley. All this should really free up a lot of rotating mass and make the engine quicker reving! Hopefully I get all the parts before the three day weekend so I can do all the installs.

 

[SBR Joe]

Yea the valve cover gasket is brand new but the seals at the end of the cams by the cam sprockets havent been replaced and it looks like thats were its comming from because last night I started tearing it all down and checking it all out. This ended up being a blessing in disguise because I also found the timing belt was loose which could slip, and blow the engine. I found out the crankshaft pulley is bad. The rubber got old and it was crooked and starting to eat away at the cover.

Soo that just gave me a good excuse to uprade a bunch of stuff. I just ordered up a timing belt kit, balance shaft removal kit, gaskets and seals, and a new underdrive pulley. All this should really free up a lot of rotating mass and make the engine quicker reving! Hopefully I get all the parts before the three day weekend so I can do all the installs.

Probably the cam seals. those guys leak like a bastard when they do. Theyre probably rock solid and cracked if they look like they havent been replaced, like you said, and wont seal worth a crap.


Joe
SBR

 

[90tsiawd44]

sounds exactly like what is going on with my car right now. that whole side of the engine is soaked with oil and it keeps leaking a lot. I just replaced the vc gasket and the oil filler cap and that didn't fix it. I guess I will check cam seals next.

 

[Turbo Talon DL]

Front being the timing belt end. Check your timing belt tensioner bolt holes and put some thread sealant on the bolts, that was one area that leaked on me one time. Install copper crush washers on them as well. Replace your oil pump drive gear seal. I recommend checking close to the pressure sources like the pump drive gear and tensioner bolt holes. I know it sounds weird, but trust me. If all else fails, go to the parts store and purchase a black light, black light die, and add the die to your engine oil. Run the engine and wait for the leaks to start. Fixing all this stuff is a pain in the butt, but its timeless embarrassing people in your DSM. Check all the other things mentioned by the other guys as well and you WILL fix your problem.

 

[pedrick1]

i am also having the same problem, i just removed my balance shafts, brand new seals and gaskets everywhere except cam gears so i guess i hope thats it even though i dont really want to tear it all back down and replace them i already have the seals so i guess i might as well