Oil Oil Everywhere... Please Help I'm Clueless

[Goodguy162000]

Okay, so here's my problem. Oil is everywhere. My engine is fairly new, like 1800 miles. I have an oil catch can on one side of the valve cover and a brand new "pilot" oil cap on the other. So, I've tried three different brands of oil caps and I've tried doubling up on the cap seal, yet it still leaks through. With my new cap it seals hella tight. There's a screw on the top of the cap and for whatever reason there's enough pressure to push oil up through this very tight spot. How is this possible? Normally, I run 14-22lbs of boost and thought that might be the problem. So I drove 10 miles today using NO TURBO and still it pushes oil through the cap spot. Feedback please.... oh and when I start up my car, my oil pressure gauge reads around 90lbs... if that helps.

 

[kikkinbac]

ok wait so theres oil on the valve cover or oil in the sparkplug valley ? Cause I'm thinking that your valve cover might be cracked. Of course my friend who has had a dsm for a couple of years says that oil in the sparkplug valley is normal. Not to sure but i would look for cracks by all of the screws that hold the valve cover down. Whoever put it on might have tightened it to much and cracked it .

 

[Goodguy162000]

Okay, it's in both... I've already cleaned out the sparkies and it keeps coming. Oil does seem to appear around the bolts in the valley though. I can't see any cracks. Is it possible they're so small that I can't see 'em yet they can spew forth buckets of oil? But what could cause so much pressure that it would come up through the oil cap as well?

 

[dsm4life]

Its not the oil cap, you need to replace your valve cover gaskets. NOt hard job takes about 1/2 hr. Pull plugs , unbt valve cover, pull wires. Lift cover , clean inside lips place new gaskets in(make sure you get o-ring gasket included in kit). Some RTV on corners and "half-moon" replace, bolt up (becareful not to tight or you will crack cover). So watch TV for a few hours while it sits.

 

[halligoo]

Okay, it's in both... I've already cleaned out the sparkies and it keeps coming. Oil does seem to appear around the bolts in the valley though. I can't see any cracks. Is it possible they're so small that I can't see 'em yet they can spew forth buckets of oil? But what could cause so much pressure that it would come up through the oil cap as well?

I would assume that if it is a new engine, you would already have new gaskets. Take the valve cover off and check it inside and out for cracks. They can be difficult to spot. I had to take mine into a dark room with a flashlight behind it to see the cracks.

 

[ddavisaf]

Oil anywhere OUTSIDE the motor is not normal. That should be obvious. However, we learn to live with it. If you have oil in your spark plug valley then there is a problem that could quickly grow (not to expensively but still grow). Remember, oil will eat away at your plug wires and seep down into your plug cylinders. And 90 psi at start up in normal.

First thing's first. How is your PCV routed? (I ask this because it's Wiseman 'oldman's favorite thing to ask )
When you check your valve cover to cracks you will more than likely find one or two. Your best bet is to replace it, or JB weld it. When you bolt everything back up, make sure you use some teflon tape just in case. Valve cover's only get torqued to 35 in. lbs. You overtighten it, you'll be replacing your valve cover once again.

 

[BaddAssGst]

Oil anywhere OUTSIDE the motor is not normal. That should be obvious. However, we learn to live with it. If you have oil in your spark plug valley then there is a problem that could quickly grow (not to expensively but still grow). Remember, oil will eat away at your plug wires and seep down into your plug cylinders. And 90 psi at start up in normal.

First thing's first. How is your PCV routed? (I ask this because it's Wiseman 'oldman's favorite thing to ask )
When you check your valve cover to cracks you will more than likely find one or two. Your best bet is to replace it, or JB weld it. When you bolt everything back up, make sure you use some teflon tape just in case. Valve cover's only get torqued to 35 in. lbs. You overtighten it, you'll be replacing your valve cover once again.

Good reply but I would say when you use "torque" down your valve cover, use 2-3 ft lbs. I've seen guys put 24-35 ft lbs because that's what they read. I know it's the same as what you said, but some people don't pay attention when they read.

 

[gurrmanator]

is your dipstick being blown out of the tube?

 

[Goodguy162000]

Yes, indeed the dipstick is being blown out. I fixed that with some home depot "upgrades" though. Is it possible that something internally wrong could be the source of all my cleaning woes?

 

[VBGSX]

.... I have an oil catch can on one side of the valve cover and a brand new "pilot" oil cap on the other. So, I've tried three different brands of oil caps and I've tried doubling up on the cap seal, yet it still leaks through. ....

1. How is your catchcan routed and what kind is it?
2. Do you have the breather and the PCV valve line run to the catchcan or just one of them?
3. Have you looked in the catchcan to make sure it's not full already or clogged?
4. Have you checked your lines(breather and PCV) to make sure they're not clogged?
5. If the PCV line isn't ran to the catchcan, make sure it's working properly.

If you have the PCV line running to the catch can, you need to either hollow out the PCV line or replace it with a nipple.
If the lines are clogged, the catchcan is full, etc, the crankcase pressure will look for the next simplest way out(gaskets, dipstick, etc)
One way to make sure nothing is clogged is to take the oil cap off, blow hard into the breather hose and see if you hear the air going into the head.

I have also found that the only oil cap to have is a stock mitsubishi cap.
No matter what cap I tried, they all leaked until I went back to stock.

Good luck

 

[carwizard1]

If it's a new motor, and the oil seems to come from the bolt holes, the oly thing I can think of is that maybe someone forgot to tighten the bolt down enough. If they aren't tight enough it will seep past the uncompressed gasket up the bolt holes. Even more so with the above mentioned clogged items.

 

[oldman]

So how is your pcv routed?

The problems that you're describing are just the symptoms, the problem is probably excessive crankcase pressure like ddavisaf and VBGSX is trying to tell you. Focus on answering their questions, either it's a ventilation issue, pressure air leaking into the crankcase or both.

 

[oldman]

Yes, indeed the dipstick is being blown out. I fixed that with some home depot "upgrades" though.

You didn't fix it, you made it worse by blocking one of the few outlets left.