valve cover problem

[800_Speed]

Got a major oil leak... It was fine yesterday and today at a stoplight I noticed a bunch of smoke pouring out from under the hood, smelled like oil. I pulled over and sure enough there was oil all over everything. Looked like it was coming from the front of the valve cover, but there was a lot of oil out so I can't be sure. It was all over the alternator and at the base of the manifold.

Something seemed like it was burning down there because when I let it sit for a while that's where the smoke was coming from. Looked like it originated from the area where the plug is going into the thing below the manifold (wastegate? dunno I'm not that great with cars yet).

Assuming its the valve cover that is leaking, how much do you all think its going to run me to get the gasket replaced? So many problems with my car in the last month

 

[GSX93DSM]

The gasket through Mitsu is like $20 or so. If it is as much as oil as you say it is. I would check for other places also. Wash the motor real good and keep and eye out for the leak. If you have to put some dye in it and then run it and check it.

 

[MarsaGSX]

Got a major oil leak... It was fine yesterday and today at a stoplight I noticed a bunch of smoke pouring out from under the hood, smelled like oil. I pulled over and sure enough there was oil all over everything. Looked like it was coming from the front of the valve cover, but there was a lot of oil out so I can't be sure. It was all over the alternator and at the base of the manifold.

Something seemed like it was burning down there because when I let it sit for a while that's where the smoke was coming from. Looked like it originated from the area where the plug is going into the thing below the manifold (wastegate? dunno I'm not that great with cars yet).

Assuming its the valve cover that is leaking, how much do you all think its going to run me to get the gasket replaced? So many problems with my car in the last month

Seems like some major leak. Check dip stick. When my dip stick blown areas you talking about was totally lubricated, valve cover, alternator, ex manis + turbo, O2housing.

Venca

 

[800_Speed]

thanks for the tips, i think i found the problem... dont know how i didnt see it the first time but the bottom middle nut on my exhaust mani is (was) GONE. after i cleaned the engine bay out, i drove for a few miles and noticed the oil was leaking out of the top middle of the exhaust manifold. bought some new nuts from autozone tonight and im gonna put them in tomorrow morning when my engine isnt scalding hot (burned the s**t out of my middle finger).

 

[greengoblin]

thanks for the tips, i think i found the problem... dont know how i didnt see it the first time but the bottom middle nut on my exhaust mani is (was) GONE. after i cleaned the engine bay out, i drove for a few miles and noticed the oil was leaking out of the top middle of the exhaust manifold. bought some new nuts from autozone tonight and im gonna put them in tomorrow morning when my engine isnt scalding hot (burned the s**t out of my middle finger).

Oil should not leak from the exhaust manifold nut or no nut. I think your problem lies else where. You might want to look at your oil feed line on the top of your turbo.

 

[800_Speed]

ugh, boo... how much of a pain in the ass is it to get at that?

 

[No_Skillz]

I think the best course at this point is to take a picture of your motor where the oil is coming from. Take from several angles and be at decent resolution. Post em up and we'll help you look.

Otherwise there are a whole bunch of possible leak spots and just listing them will take forever.

 

[800_Speed]

okay ive got a few pictures... they arent the BEST quality but the point is made.

 

[No_Skillz]

It looks like it's possible that the oil is squirting/splashing up from below. All I can think of right now are a really blown turbo or serious headgasket problem. Any chance you can see in between the runners down below?

 

[800_Speed]

turbo seems to be running fine, and the engine is also running fine besides the leak... i cant really see down in there being that its late and i dont have a garage. i really hope its not either of those problems, because that sounds like a huge pain in the ass

 

[No_Skillz]

Yep. But don't worry, they're both doomsday scenarios, which I have a tendency to jump to whenever there's an unknown problem. Take a look and let us know in the morning.

 

[elfroggo]

Silver lining to blown turbo is upgrade

 

[800_Speed]

i really dont think its the turbo... it better not be, it was upgraded to a greddy turbo right before i got it.