Leaking Oil

[COS]

First I would like to thank everyone that replied to Automatic Transmission. I have not figured it out yet, but still checking.

I have a new proplem, I am leaking oil from the back of the engine and I am sucking air while at cruising speeds. I checked all the vacuum lines so I know it is not that. The intake manifold and fuel rail are in the way, so I cant really determine where the oil is coming from. I had her on the lift and from what it looks like, the oil could be coming from the intake. Could this be posible? I know from my 85 Mustang that I had the same problem, and once I changed out the intake manifold gasket my problem was gone. Could someone shed some light on this?

Thanks
Chris

 

[romeen]

Are you sure it's not from the valve cover gasket?

 

[COS]

I thought this as well, but would that cause her to surge at cruise speed?

Thanks
Chris

 

[romeen]

No it wouldn't. The oil leak and the surging are probably unrelated. I suggested VC because it is so easy to check for. If you haven't already done it, clean the oil off with brake cleaner then start car and let it idle for awhile to see if you can visually isolate the source of the leak. If no leak under idle you may have to drive it but the air flow can cause the oil to spread making it harder to pinpoint the leak.

The surging at cruising speed can be cause by many things. Vacuum leaks, problems with fuel delivery, faulty PCV/emissions components, and other things.

When was the last time you changed your fuel filter? You may just need some routine maintenance: check timing, replace air filter, plugs, PCV, etc.

 

[oldman]

Moved to 420a bolt-on.

 

[COS]

Thanks for the input, I have changed all the basic tune up parts from PCV valve to fuel filter. Still having the same problem. This is why I was thinking intake manifold. I did check the vacuum lines and didnt find any faults. Any other suggestion?

Thanks
Chris

 

[BigRand]

You really need to clean everything up, and see exactly what part of the engine its coming out of........the vac leak and oil leak should be un related....unless your running on oil catch can or some kind of messed up breather..

Your spark plugs don't have any oil around them do they?

And your coolant isn't mixed with oil either?

 

[TheCykotik1]

dont see an intake gasket leaking oil all over the back of your engine. but a valve cover gasket would put oil there. ill tell your from expierience. i just put a valve cover gasket on my car and it was leaking out the back. it defiantely covered the entire backside of the block in oil. a longshot would be a headgasket but it would have to be EXTREMELY blown. as for your air sound if its not a vacuum line it sounds like an intake gasket. could also be just your CAI if you have one, or if you have one of those throttle body spacers i hear they make a noise too.

 

[COS]

Thanks Big Rand and The Cykotik1 for the info. I will have to check the spark plugs and no for the antifreeze in the oil. I dont have anything hooked up other than what origanilly came with the car. I am almost thinking that it is the valve cover. I will need to check again as well as the plugs. For the surging though, could that be caused by the throttle body or something of that sort? I am smelling gas fumes as well. Not a lot but every now and then I do smell it.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Locke]

For the surging though, could that be caused by the throttle body or something of that sort? I am smelling gas fumes as well. Not a lot but every now and then I do smell it.

Do you smell fuel from the engine bay? If so, inspect the obvious first, making sure your fuel fittings are not leaking.

Check for fuel sitting near the injector bosses, and if none, pull the injectors and inspect the o-rings. A leak at an injector can cause alot of odd problems, from chugging and stumbling, to high or oscillating idle, even open throttle surging.

If you smell fuel in the car, I would start by checking the fuel pump ring and fittings under the rear seat (and bad seal at the cover).

If you smell fuel while idling at a stand-still, smell the exhaust for fuel. A bad MAP or O2 (amongst other things) can cause a rich condition that you might only notice at a stoplight with your window down, and sometimes causes surging.

Can try cleaning the ISC also.

 

[COS]

Thanks Locke,
I believe the smell is coming from the engine bay area. If I pull the injectors, wouldnt I have to replace the orings any way? Or could I get away without?

Thanks
Chris

 

[Locke]

You won't have to replace the o-rings, so long as they are in good shape. (not hard, cracked, torn, or flattened) Whether you reuse the old ones, or get new, put a light coat of engine oil on them before installing them again.

 

[COS]

Thanks again Locke,
I will check and let you know what I find. Also, I am not really sure what ISC stands for, could you explain?

Thanks
Chris

 

[Locke]

ISC = Idle Speed Control, which is wrong in this case. Sorry. I meant to say IAC (Idle Air Control).

 

[COS]

Thanks Locke, were would I find the IAC to clean and what would I use to clean it with.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Locke]

It is on the throttle body, under the intake pipe. You can clean it with Carb cleaner and a Q-Tip, or soft brush, or whatever you need to use to get any gunk out. Dont damage it.

Cleaning everything you can reach on the IAC and the idle air passage behind it.

It should only take ~30 minutes, depending on how thoroughly you clean it, and assuming you know how to remove a couple bolts.

 

[COS]

Ok, let me go ahead and try out a few of the things you had mentioned and I will get back with you. Thanks agian for all the important information that you have provided me.

Could I ask you another question in regards to lowering my car? I was wondering if I should go with coil overs or lowering springs? Not sure which way to go.

Thanks again for all your info.
Chris

 

[Locke]

That question should be as a separate thread, and outside of the Engine Tech forums. People that search for suspension stuff will see all the engine related stuff and may not read down to get to what they are looking for. Or get annoying that they had to read down to find the information.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=6 - Handling Tech forum, after you promote from New Member status, until then:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4 - Newbie forum ought to work.

 

[COS]

Ok, sorry about jumping like that. I will go check it out. Thanks again

Chris

 

[COS]

Ok I finally changed the valve cover gasket yesturday. From the looks of it, it was leaking pretty bad at the rear right corner. I will keep you all updated, since my exhaust is busted up and waiting for the new one I have not been driving my baby. Hope the exhaust comes i soon.
Cos

 

[Locke]

Well hopefully, then, that was the only oil leak.

Did you ever get your surging and fuel odor issue resolved?

Hope you get to driving it again, soon.

 

[COS]

I cant wait to drive her again. I do not smell fuel anymore, not sure why. I still want to clean the IAC this weekend. Will let you know the outcome.
Thanks
Chris