oil leaking to timing belt, help!

[casper_talon]

I just installed a new timing belt about 2 days ago. When I started the car, some drop of oil were falling, and the belt had a thin film also, I checked and uninstalled everything, and it looked like it was from the oil pan( gasket). Also, the driver side control arm had some drops of oil. Could it all be from the oil pan?? I replaced the head with a new gasket and a valve cover gasket plus 4 spark plug seals. The only seals that weren't replaced were the camshaft ones, I put mega grey gasket maker around them and installed everything. Was this bad to do? I also have a oil seal that I don't know what is for, I found it lying around the house, it's new. It says Mitsubishi genuine parts SEAL OIL MD707184 1 PC RD. I searched but could not find what it's for. If anyone know please let me know Thanks!

 

[Locke]

MD707184 = RF Axle Seal

 

[casper_talon]

Thanks! I was hopeing it was a crank seal to use but, guess it will be left unused. Any idea for the oil in the timing belt??

 

[1G90AWDTsi]

I am having the exact same issue. The oil leaks onto my driverside control arm, pools up into the top of the oil sending unit, the oil pan bolts, and drips onto my timing belt (belt also new back in May (2007)). My issue I believe has something to do with either the balance shaft seal, front engine seal, or main seal (all located behind the timing cover). Have you done anything to your balance shaft at all...eliminated it?

 

[casper_talon]

I eliminated them last year (august) but I was not leaking any oil until now. I saw some oil fron behind the balance shaft behind the auto-tensioner, but didn't think it would be the problem. I didn't work on the engine block, just the head. I know that I don't use the balance shaft belt but the sprocket can be spun by hand, and the other one next to the crank I matched the arrow when I did the timing. A few days after the oil leak the belt felt loose, could it have jumped a tooth because of the oil?

 

[1G90AWDTsi]

When I first had my timing belt replaced, I drove it around a couple days still having an oil leak (due to the incorrect installment of the block-off bearing) and then had to go back to the shop to have the oil leak looked at, that's when the mechanic noticed the balance shaft seal and front engine seal leaking. He said I should probably do another timing belt again because it was wet with oil; apparently timing belts and oil are a horrible mix and can lead to big money cyl-head damage.

 

[1G90AWDTsi]

Oh yeah, prior to the second timing belt installment, he did say the first one was off a tooth only after a couple days installed. Maybe they incorrectly aligned it or maybe it was due to the oil; pay attention to it though. I still watch mine like a hawk.

 

[casper_talon]

Thanks man, I'm mostly going to buy a new belt and avoid rebuilding another head. Will the engine make a "tak-tak-tak" sound from about 1,000 to 3,000 RPM because of a jumped tooth?? Or is this some other engine mishap? The car runs fine and makes about 18-20 Vac, but it started making that sound.

 

[Calan]

Not sure how common this is, but I had an oil leak from the tensioner arm bolt holes... as in ... where it actually bolts to the block. Apparently, those holes were tapped into an oil galley, and oil was somehow working it's way out around the bolts and under the tensioner.

The front of my motor was a sieve.. throwing oil out of every possible location. Just do some detective work and trace the splatter and drip patterns, and you'll find most of them.

Or you could be safe and do what i did.... take everything off the front of the motor down to the bare block (including front case, oil pump, etc.) clean the crap out of it... and if something looks like a seal, gasket, water pump, or timing component ... replace it

 

[casper_talon]

I saw that in my bolts, they were covered in oil, and so was the tensioner. Could the holes been damaged and now oil passes through them?? I have an extra tesioner just in case, but I will check the holes tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[Calan]

Could the holes been damaged and now oil passes through them??

I dunno... I imagine there are certain date codes of engines with various design and/or quality control issues. Some people will have holes drilled into oil galleys, and some not. Or some idot used the wrong bolts and punched through a hole where he shouldn't have (ask me about my previous owner and the top timing cover threads in the VC )

You'll find this type of problem in other places too... like the exhaust manny for instance. Some cars leak oil out of a couple of those bolt holes because they intercept an oil galley in the head... and some don't.

Either way, make sure you always use the correct bolts.. so that you don't inadvertantly open up more secret passages

 

[casper_talon]

yeah that's probably my problem. The tensioner had one 13mm bolt and a 12mm bolt. I think they're supposed to be the same each (12mm), but that's how it was. Thanks to everyone for they're help! I hope to get the car running tomorrow.

 

[Calan]

The tensioner had one 13mm bolt and a 12mm bolt.

You're talking about the head of the bolt; not the actual bolt size (I believe those are 8mm). But yeah... if you find a hex bolt with 13mm across the flats in your DSM, it's a replacement bolt that someone bought at a hardware store.

 

[motomattxxx]

Camshaft seals ftw.

 

[casper_talon]

I cleaned the entire timing belt area, but didn't see any oil dripping, it only dripped when the car was started. It also was making a "tak tak" sound from low rpm's (1,000-3,000) and then it would dissapear. What might this sound be?? The car runs fine and makes good vaccum(18-20). Could it be from a jumped timing tooth? Anyone let me know, I'm afaid it might be the engine block (crank or bearings) Thanks!

 

[1G90AWDTsi]

I had spun all my rods and scored the crank once already, but it sounds like there is a bolt in the engine bouncing around and speeds up when the rpms rise. The sound won't go away even when under throttle. If it does go away, I don't think it's a rod.

 

[jking29]

I cleaned the entire timing belt area, but didn't see any oil dripping, it only dripped when the car was started. It also was making a "tak tak" sound from low rpm's (1,000-3,000) and then it would dissapear. What might this sound be?? The car runs fine and makes good vaccum(18-20). Could it be from a jumped timing tooth? Anyone let me know, I'm afaid it might be the engine block (crank or bearings) Thanks!

The sound you are hearing is your hydraulic tensioner doing a death rattle. Replace it now or it's going to get real expensive real quick. Don't drive the car until it's replaced.

 

[casper_talon]

Thanks!, I have a spare one and I will change it today. I hope that's the problem and not internal engine damage. You must be right, since the timing belt felt loose after it started making the sound. It's such a relief to know the answer to my doubts. Thanks!!