Oil Leak!! Please Help!

[lyonswm]

so i got an oil leak in my 90 plymouth laser, it drips on the drivers side of the car. if i leave the car idling it will just continue to slowly drip. I recently changed my valve cover gasket, but that was just a very small part of the leak. I know that the leak has to be coming from the top side of the engine because it has made a mess all on that side. I was suggested that the camshaft seals could be the leak. is that likely? i mean are they under enough pressure to leak? if it is the leak, is that easy to fix?
Next i got another small oil leak coming from my turbo, i have the stock turbo in it and i think that both of the oil lines are leaking, is there some kind of gasket that i can get to stop the oil leak? I know these dsm's are like notorious for oil leaks, but its makin a mess in my drive way, but if its too much of a fix then oil is cheaper then labor
This car is like all stock
Any suggestions would help just let me know what it might be anything helps

 

[thatblondechik]

Cam seals and the turbo feed/return line gaskets are easy enough to replace.

But yes, they're worth replacing. No one likes to run out of oil. That's just a bad day.

Call your local AutoZone or Advanced and just buy the gaskets. Might want to ask for parts for an Eclipse tho...part store employees aren't generally the most intelligent individuals in my experience.

 

[2g_TalonTSI]

thatblondechik is right cam seals and feed lines are easy fix's those would be my first two guess' as well

 

[lyonswm]

yea i have called AutoZone, Napa, Advanced, all of those first places you think of however none of them carry anything for a turbo. is there anywhere else that i could look
Most of them hardly have gaskets for my camshafts, the turbo is only a small part of the leak so i know there is something else that is leaking and drips on the front passanger side.
Thanks

oh and do i need to take off my timing belt and all that to replace the camshaft seals? i am a newbie forsure, so like i got people that can help me. But how much will i have to mess with to chance those camshaft seals?

 

[GSXeclipsePSI]

yes you need to remove your cam sprockets and timing belt. You will also have to remove your valve cover to hold your camshafts in place while you break you sprocket bolts loose.

As far as having to remove the last camshaft cap to remove old seal idk I didn't have to do mine like that maybe someone else can tell you.

 

[DSM1G90]

Might have to head to a Mitsu dealer for the seals, if Auto"Crap"Zone and NAPA doesn't have them .. Try partsdinosaur as well ..

Usually to hold cams, there is a flat area on the shaft of the camshaft itself where you can put a wrench on there while busting the bolt off the front of the cam to take the sprocket off.

 

[Tanro]

I wouild go ahead and replace any seal or gasket you can before you ever start upgrading your car. 1990 is only about 20 years old and if the motor has not been rebuilt recently you really need to do some maint.

Also when you are asking for parts just get eclipse parts. Auto parts store employees are stupid in 11/10 cases. I swear I had one ask my friend what kinda of camaro he was driving when we went to pick up parts for his Mitsubishi 3000GT.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Don't start ripping your engine apart before you replace the oil feed and return gaskets.. There a couple bucks a peice, and require almost no effort if your handy....If you have a socket set, your half way done..

 

[SlickPyro]

Definately tell them you need parts for an eclipse. I have had people say oh you have an AWD Blazer? Any time I order parts I tell anyone, even the mitsu stealership that its for my 92 eclipse gsx. I would also pick yourself up a haynes or chiltons repair manual. I have learned alot from reading that book and it unfortunately has more wear than my tires do You could also pull the upper timing cover off. its easy just four little bolts to inspect the cam seals. Good luck with finding and repairing the leak!

 

[AWD92TalonTSi]

Is the oil on the drivers side inside or outside of the timing belt cover?

As for the turbo leaks follow the leak up from the bottom until it gets dry. If you have a constant drip at idle that should be either a very large low pressure leak or a small higher pressure one. I'd take off the timing belt cover and look at the front cover gasket. When you replace the turbo drain gasket don't forget the copper washers on drain to pan bolts.

 

[TSI-ALL-DAY]

Rear main seal

 

[lyonswm]

ok so like i took another look at it the other night and there does appear to be some oil around the camshaft seals. If i have to remove my valve cover that is fine i can do that, but if i do replace those seals do i need to remove my timing belt? Or can i just remove 1 cam gear at a time and replace each gasket then put it back on the belt? as long as i make all the marks so it doesnt mess up the timing it should be fine right?
If i get a chance and i can get my camera to work i will take some pics of the leak. maybe that will help a little bit.
Oh and the turbo stuff does sound easy so that should be my easiest fix in this so thanks much on that!!!

 

[AWD92TalonTSi]

To change cam seals you'd need to take off the timing belt and all associated covers and belts that are in the way. A nights job for somebody with experience. A little daunting for somebody unfamiliar with it.

In theory yes you could probably take the belt off one sprocket at a time... but I wouldn't chance that on an interference engine. It would also be a PITA to try and pull the sprocket back into place with out the tensioner pulley loosened up.

bryan