Oil Leak Concern. Advice Please.

[Mist3r Spool]

I recently swapped out my timing belt and removed my balance shafts (utilizing the factory plug for the front case). Anyway, I was underneath my car today checking something else and noticed that I have some oil leaking where the lower plastic timing belt cover is. I didn't notice any oil on the t-belt (so I know it's not severe) but there is definitely oil near the crank pulley and that lower area. I don't think it's the oil pan (I gave it a good 1/4" bead of RTV) but it could be. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to things-and this thing is bugging me. A mechanic friend of mine said it's just residual, and those things always happen after a big job like a t-belt (and b-shaft removal). I did loose about 1/8 quart of oil, but I am now using the 1G filter (which is bigger) and I use crappy Castrol GTX 10-30 non-synthetic oil. I know that's a mouthful but I'm just trying to be detailed. One more thing, I have 161K on my engine, should I be using a thicker oil? Thanks in advance.

note: I also changed the crank seal, oil pump seal, front cover gasket, & oil filter block assembly gasket.

 

[ChvyKc]

I recently swapped out my timing belt and removed my balance shafts (utilizing the factory plug for the front case). Anyway, I was underneath my car today checking something else and noticed that I have some oil leaking where the lower plastic timing belt cover is. I didn't notice any oil on the t-belt (so I know it's not severe) but there is definitely oil near the crank pulley and that lower area. I don't think it's the oil pan (I gave it a good 1/4" bead of RTV) but it could be. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to things-and this thing is bugging me. A mechanic friend of mine said it's just residual, and those things always happen after a big job like a t-belt (and b-shaft removal). I did loose about 1/8 quart of oil, but I am now using the 1G filter (which is bigger) and I use crappy Castrol GTX 10-30 non-synthetic oil. I know that's a mouthful but I'm just trying to be detailed. One more thing, I have 161K on my engine, should I be using a thicker oil? Thanks in advance.

note: I also changed the crank seal, oil pump seal, front cover gasket, & oil filter block assembly gasket.

I use Mobile One SyperSyn. It's kind of expensive (about 4 bucks a quart) but it is well worth it. I have right over 160K on mine as well. As far as the oil leak that you have now, I would just wait it out and see what happens. Make sure that you keep an eye on it though and check your oil often. If it doesn't quit then I would start checking gaskets again. You definatly don't want your bottom end to sieze up just because a gasket went bad.

As long as you are not losing oil pressure and you are not leaking a huge amount of oil then you should be fine. I lose about 1/8th of a quart every three weeks, and it is probably just due to my bottom end having so many miles on it. It also could have been due to my turbo that I just replaced but I haven't gotten the car back running with the 16G on it to see if it is going to make a difference.

 

[Vallary99]

You said you replaced the crank seal, did you replace the cam seals too?

I also use Mobile 1 synthetic 10W30. I would switch to that if I were you, especially if you have high miles.

 

[Mist3r Spool]

I use Mobile One SyperSyn. It's kind of expensive (about 4 bucks a quart) but it is well worth it. I have right over 160K on mine as well. As far as the oil leak that you have now, I would just wait it out and see what happens. Make sure that you keep an eye on it though and check your oil often. If it doesn't quit then I would start checking gaskets again. You definatly don't want your bottom end to sieze up just because a gasket went bad.

As long as you are not losing oil pressure and you are not leaking a huge amount of oil then you should be fine. I lose about 1/8th of a quart every three weeks, and it is probably just due to my bottom end having so many miles on it. It also could have been due to my turbo that I just replaced but I haven't gotten the car back running with the 16G on it to see if it is going to make a difference.
Yesterday 08:15 PM

My oil pressure is great. I can thank my balance shaft elimination for that. I think I'll just wait a couple oil changes to see how things are going. I'm using a Fram Filter which, I believe, doesn't have a anti-drainback valve (if it matters). I've never used Mobil 1 oil, I've used Royal Purple (which is almost $7/quart) and it did work well-even eliminated valve tick after about 3 fills. I'll give the Mobil 1 a try. I'm contemplating if whether or not I should do a flush...I want to since I've been using non-synthetic but I'm reluctant since engine flush can be harsh on older seals.

You said you replaced the crank seal, did you replace the cam seals too?

I also use Mobile 1 synthetic 10W30. I would switch to that if I were you, especially if you have high miles.

Never replaced them...they don't appear to be leaking.

 

[Vallary99]

Check around your cam gears for dried gunk or fresh oil and see if that's where your leak is coming from.

You aren't supposed to switch to non-synthetic once you've used synthetic oil. That could be part of your problem.

 

[Mist3r Spool]

Check around your cam gears for dried gunk or fresh oil and see if that's where your leak is coming from.

You aren't supposed to switch to non-synthetic once you've used synthetic oil. That could be part of your problem.

I haven't used synthetic in over a year and a half-you think that still matters?