wanting to fix my oil leak once and for all.

[DeadlyScone]

I already replaced all the seals and gaskets on my timing side and no luck. I didn't know that there was more to it then just replacing them. I read a few threads saying that you can rtv the threads on the bolts for the hydraulic tensioner, tensioner pulley and a few different places.

question is i'am getting oem seals and gaskets this time and doing a bs delete. I was following the vfaq and it says to rtv the seals. What about the castle plug? Iam pretty sure it doesn't leak considering I just replaced the o ring on it.

The leak is driving me mad. Iam just looking for all the tips and tricks to ensure there will be no leaks.
thanks!

 

[MJBean420]

I had a similar problem. Mine was leaking some oil from one of the cam seals and only did it under high boost levels. I ended up using a little RTV on them and it seemed to to the trick. I seem to have to use a little RTV on most of my gaskets.

 

[DeadlyScone]

The cam seals are oem. I didn't use anything on them but they seem to be not leaking from what I can see

 

[white92talontsi]

If you have to use RTV to seal those gaskets then something is wrong.

Do not use RTV around or near the Front cover/Oil filter housing.

 

[Insane20]

not to be rude but why not? I mean I know you should always just get new gaskets or seals but if your strapped for cash, RTV isn't going to hurt anything so long as you don't cover any oil passages.

 

[DeadlyScone]

I got a timing gasket set from partsdinosouar. Was $12.00. Came with all the lower seals and gaskets. They were made by apexi I believe. Guess I should've just gone to the dealer?
One of the technicians I work with said it's not a bad idea to use some white lithium grease around the seals.

EDIT: the cost for the bs delete. and the lower gaskets and seals are going to run me about $92.00 at the stealership.

 

[WillRaceForBeer]

not to be rude but why not? I mean I know you should always just get new gaskets or seals but if your strapped for cash, RTV isn't going to hurt anything so long as you don't cover any oil passages.

The RTV will seal, but the problem isn't leaks, it's that some RTV is bound to push into the oil passages, and if it breaks free it's quite likely it will clog a passage upstream somewhere in the engine.

 

[DeadlyScone]

If you have to use RTV to seal those gaskets then something is wrong.

Do not use RTV around or near the Front cover/Oil filter housing.

That's always what I thought. Vfaq is saying around the seals too.

 

[white92talontsi]

not to be rude but why not? I mean I know you should always just get new gaskets or seals but if your strapped for cash, RTV isn't going to hurt anything so long as you don't cover any oil passages.

If your that strapped for cash you can't afford new gaskets then you may need to look into another hobby like knitting or something.

 

[DeadlyScone]

The RTV will seal, but the problem isn't leaks, it's that some RTV is bound to push into the oil passages, and if it breaks free it's quite likely it will clog a passage upstream somewhere in the engine.

This wouldn't be the case for the front seal though correct? Since the etc would just break into the oil pan and get filtered out.

If your that strapped for cash you can't afford new gaskets then you may need to look into another hobby like knitting or something.

Idk, have you seen the prices for good quality yarn? Yeesh. Nty .

 

[white92talontsi]

OK, use a thin bead (meaning use your finger) of Ultra Grey RTV around the seal for that balance shaft block off plug. That is the only place you should be using it.

This wouldn't be the case for the front seal though correct? Since the etc would just break into the oil pan and get filtered out.



Idk, have you seen the prices for good quality yarn? Yeesh. Nty .

, nothings cheap anymore.

 

[gorf]

Check out STM for oil filter housing gaskets cheaper and better than OEM.

IF someone used the wrong bolts on the oil filter housing or the front cover and over tightened them when they bottomed them out, then you might be leaking around a bolt. These holes are not supposed to be tapped through the block.
If this is what you suspect put a good bunch of thread seal on the bolts, make sure you have no split washers on those bolts and put a dab of rtv just under the cap of the bolt.

I had major issues with the front seals, I had bolt that went through and that was what was leaking. It a) would not hold, I had to put a helicoil in it and b) leaked around the thread. I did the above and fixed it.

Gaskets - everyone told me NOT to use RTV. I put a coat of copper spray a gasket on the new gasket to hold it in place while I put it on. RTV will squirt out and plug your oil passages. Not to mention it is PIA to clean out.

 

[ZombieSix]

What kind of oil are you using? Try switching to 10w-40 high mileage, That stopped my turbo drain leak.

 

[DeadlyScone]

Check out STM for oil filter housing gaskets cheaper and better than OEM.

IF someone used the wrong bolts on the oil filter housing or the front cover and over tightened them when they bottomed them out, then you might be leaking around a bolt. These holes are not supposed to be tapped through the block.
If this is what you suspect put a good bunch of thread seal on the bolts, make sure you have no split washers on those bolts and put a dab of rtv just under the cap of the bolt.

I had major issues with the front seals, I had bolt that went through and that was what was leaking. It a) would not hold, I had to put a helicoil in it and b) leaked around the thread. I did the above and fixed it.

Gaskets - everyone told me NOT to use RTV. I put a coat of copper spray a gasket on the new gasket to hold it in place while I put it on. RTV will squirt out and plug your oil passages. Not to mention it is PIA to clean out.

When you say thread sealer do you mean like teflon tape? Or etc?

What kind of oil are you using? Try switching to 10w-40 high mileage, That stopped my turbo drain leak.

I use Pennzoil platinum 10w-30.

 

[gorf]

When you say thread sealer do you mean like teflon tape?

They sell thread sealer at automotive stores. It comes in a tiny tube and is formulated for auto use. It is a paste that seals the threads. You can also try teflon tape or plumbers pipe dope from Home Depot. One may work better than the other for you.

 

[stars]

I had to use some oil dye and UV light to detect where my leaks were coming from. It almost drove me insane because I had checked and replaced every seal and I still had an oil leak. As I was looking under the U.V. light I could see where my trail of oil was coming from. I was surprised because all this time I the oil pan was where it was leaking from. When I would be driving the oil would splash up and coat all over the alternator and oil filter housing and even as far as on top of the valve cover. I just use standard 5W-30 oil because synthetic oil will leak out of even a brand new seal, so it is pointless using an expensive oil that is going to leak regardless i.m.o.