Major Oil Leak Need help!!!

[Sicotic]

I bought this car for 1000 bucks, it runs fine. It has 160,xxx miles on the car and engine. I noticed it had a oil leak but it was a few drips, so i asked the guy he said it might be from changing the valve cover gasket, that was my guess. Anyways after having the car for 3 weeks i start to run it hard and i open my hood and there was a puddel of oil by the spark plugs the one to toward the passenger side. And now it leaks majorly when i run it hard, if i dirve normal it is fine just a few spots and a little puddle. There is alot of oil on the belts, alternator, on the intake mani behind the engine. All on top it seems like. Any help on this? im not used to Dsm's, idk if i should save for a new engine or what i need help.

 

[rarest_90_DsM]

Check for cracks in the valve covers around the bolt holes under the spark plug cover. sometimes people tighten those bolts to tight and the cheap pot metal will crack! also there is torque sequence when you tighten down the valve cover if you didn't follow this when you put the valve cover gasket on it may still be leaking. but don't worry about doing all that stuff again first check your oil cap. the seal on it may be blown out if thats bad you would need to change it and you pcv valve witch is backing up pressure from your crank case and pushing it through your oil cap seal cause your pcv valve is all gummed up. Pcv are cheep to so you might as well buy one just for the piece of mind!

 

[Calan]

Is your cam gear cover on?

If not, oil can come up through the VC where the cover bolts on top. Sometimes these holes go all the way through (probably from people using bolts that are too long).

Also check your oil cap like rarest_90_dsm said, and check to see if your dipstick is partially pushed out of it's tube.

 

[Sicotic]

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Here is somepics if this helps

 

[lacroixdp]

Check your oil filter cooler bolt (bolt the filter screws onto). I've seen that heap of crap leak like that before and make a mess all over the place - it's usually the bolt is not tight enough or the seal has blown on it. And for the good Lord's sake, don't overtighten it or you'll really be in a pickle then. Regardless of what it ends up being, I'd replace that when you get the chance with a nice, safe '90 oil filter housing... that oil/water cooler design was not one of Mitsubishi's brightest moments in automotive engineering.

 

[snowborder714]

Maybe if they were bigger...

I'd try replacing the oil cap gasket and the valve cover/spark plug gaskets and try looking for a crack in the valve cover. If it still leaks, try another valve cover.

Make sure no oil got on your timing belt as this could lead to very bad news.

 

[Sicotic]

im pretty sure oil has got on the timing belts bc the cover was off when i bought it, i put it back on. The bottom half how ever isnt on.

 

[TrevorS]

im pretty sure oil has got on the timing belts bc the cover was off when i bought it, i put it back on. The bottom half how ever isnt on.

If the timing beltrs (either one) has had either water or oil on it, it needs to be replaced. However, if the source of the fluid hasn't been corrected, there's little point in changing the belts. So, this means the source needs to be identified ASAP. And both timing belts replaced immediately after the correction is verified.

PS. You need the timing belts to be completely covered, top and bottom. They are just too critical to the health of your engine to leave off.

 

[Sicotic]

If the timing beltrs (either one) has had either water or oil on it, it needs to be replaced. However, if the source of the fluid hasn't been corrected, there's little point in changing the belts. So, this means the source needs to be identified ASAP. And both timing belts replaced immediately after the correction is verified.

that sucks bc they are both brand new.

 

[snowborder714]

Both timing belts? Are you maybe referring to the timing and balance shaft belts? Or maybe some of the accessory belts?

 

[TrevorS]

Both timing belts? Are you maybe referring to the timing and balance shaft belts? Or maybe some of the accessory belts?

Mitsubishi also defines the balance shaft belt to be a timing belt (which makes sense, it can't provide balance if it's not timed . So yes, both timing belts (unless the balance shaft belt has been eliminated, of course). If a weakened balance shaft timing belt gives out, it can damage the camshaft timing belt.

 

[Sicotic]

what will happen with oil on it?

 

[lacroixdp]

what will happen with oil on it?

It weakens the belt, making it possible for it to stretch and come off the sprockets. Snowboarder, that second timing belt is next to the turn signal fluid reservoir. I'm surprised a mod wouldn't know about that

Mitsubishi also defines the balance shaft belt to be a timing belt

It's Timing Belt B in the service manual, but for simplicity's sake we call it the Balance Shaft belt for new members.

 

[TrevorS]

It weakens the belt, making it possible for it to stretch and come off the sprockets. Snowboarder, that second timing belt is next to the turn signal fluid reservoir. I'm surprised a mod wouldn't know about that

Damn! I don't remember mention of the "turn signal fluid reservoir" in my manual, gotta look that up! Geez -- talk about embarassed !

It's Timing Belt B in the service manual, but for simplicity's sake we call it the Balance Shaft belt for new members.

Be careful with that! Many don't appear to take that belt seriously. However, it's also subject to the 60K replacement rule and it's similarly threatening to engine health if ignored.

 

[snowborder714]

I guess I've always gone by CAPS, which refers to it as a balancer timing belt, which is typically shortened to balance shaft belt. And I typically didn't pay attention to it in the manual since most people question how to delete it.

 

[Calan]

Damn! I don't remember mention of the "turn signal fluid reservoir" in my manual, gotta look that up! Geez -- talk about embarassed !

That's only on models with automatic turn signals. Manual signals don't have a fluid reservoir...duh.

Be careful with that! Many don't appear to take that belt seriously since it isn't labeed a timing belt. However, it's also subject to the 60K replacement rule and it's qually threatening to engine health if ignored.

90% of the people around here won't know what you're talking about if you refer to it as another timing belt...but mention "balance shaft belt", and you're covered.

 

[lacroixdp]

Be careful with that! Many don't appear to take that belt seriously since it isn't labeled a timing belt. However, it's also subject to the 60K replacement rule and it's equally threatening to engine health if ignored.

That is a very valid point you have (I was poking fun at both of you earlier . However, the people that don't seem to take it seriously seem to be the same people that run their timing belt to threads. If a diligent person does their research on here, they would see it's a crucial belt and has the same service interval to the other timing belt components. You are absolutely right - perhaps labeling it that way downplays the significance of it. Definitely food for thought. Maybe we should rename both of them Catastrophe Belts - that would perk up some ears!

That's only on models with automatic turn signals. Manual signals don't have a fluid reservoir...duh.

Sorry Craig - it's been a long day... I guess it slipped my mind ><

 

[rarest_90_DsM]

pics are a little small. you should check to see if someone put a balance shaft eliminator kit on it as i have seen the little freeze plugs leak on to the acc belts and get slung all over the place.. Did you check the oil cap and pcv? OK lets start a list of possible spots oil can leak on that side of the motor!

1. Front case
2. Oil filter housing
3. Front main seal by the crank shaft
4. Balance shaft eliminator kit if applied
5. Oil cap
6. Cracked valve cover
7. Valve cover gasket
8. Dip stick from blow by
9. Head gasket
10. Oil cooler came loose at the filter
11. oil pan


anyone else is more them welcome to add to this!

 

[rarest_90_DsM]

Update?

 

[slickers111]

Some gaskets need to be changed.