Got oil leak... need advice

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:56 pm

today i noticed i was leaking engine oil from a strange location... it is leaking on the engine block at the area behind the exhaust manifold.

i noticed this leak by chance as i first noticed some little oil near the oil filter area... looking between the exhaust mani. branches i saw the area covered with oil and the front side of the engine as well, only oil source at this area that can cause such leak is the head gasket... right?

all parts of the head, cam shaft housing and valve cover are christal clean so it must be comming from the top of the block - where it contacts the head - as i can't think of any other oil sources at this area... did any one experiance this before?

MMamdouh

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 10:20 pm

Is your oil cap leaking and dripping down to that area? Mine is currently leaking oil from the oil cap (in small amounts). I'm planning on putting a rubber gasket on there to help stop that leak in my woo.

headly · Post by **headly** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 3:22 am

Dude, it sounds like the same one i have, between the block and the head, on the coil side of the engine. I think it may be the gasket seeping oil through. I first though coming from the sensor below the coil (cam sensor i think). It also ran down to # 4 spark plug well, just to confuse me more. I cleaned it up and after changing to a heavier grade oil (from 5w40 to 20w50), it seems to have slowed. I checked the head bolts, they were pretty tight which is why I'm thinking gasket.

Hope this helps.

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 8:15 pm

JohnnyC wrote:Is your oil cap leaking and dripping down to that area? Mine is currently leaking oil from the oil cap (in small amounts). I'm planning on putting a rubber gasket on there to help stop that leak in my woo.

nope... my oil cap is not leaking... actually my upper side of the engie - head and cam housing - got no oil leaks at all... whatever is it that is leaking it has to be lower than that area.

MMamdouh

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 8:18 pm

headly wrote:Dude, it sounds like the same one i have, between the block and the head, on the coil side of the engine. I think it may be the gasket seeping oil through. I first though coming from the sensor below the coil (cam sensor i think). It also ran down to # 4 spark plug well, just to confuse me more. I cleaned it up and after changing to a heavier grade oil (from 5w40 to 20w50), it seems to have slowed. I checked the head bolts, they were pretty tight which is why I'm thinking gasket.

Hope this helps.

yeah thats like what i am experiancing to a large extent... only difference is that my leak is more to the center of the block rather than to the right side as you have here.

BTW the sensor you were talking about is the temp sensor... if you remove its plug the cooling fans will run at hi speed and won't stop, on the 1.5 SOHC the cam sensor is at the left side of the cam housing right between the plastic cam cover and the timing belt cam cover.

MMamdouh

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Sat May 13, 2006 12:51 pm

the oil showed up again after cleaning it a month ago... after a better look at it it seems like the oil pan gasket is the souce of the leak as their was too much oil at the bottom and hardly any at the top so i don't think it is the head gasket.

the mechanic retightend the pans bolts and the one on the front were a bit lose... again we did a thoughout cleanup and going to keep an eye for leaks next couple of weeks or so.

MMamdouh

klonek78 · Post by **klonek78** » Sat May 13, 2006 6:41 pm

I had oil leak somewhere above oil filter and now I'm changing head gasket...... and I will tell you if it stops.

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Wed May 17, 2006 7:46 am

it is official now... the head gasket is busted.

got a full gaasket kit yesterday as well as timing belt kit as well as my timing belt change is due in 3,700kms anyways... got water pump and Gates timing belt and alternator belt, Daewoo A/C belt, italian made water pump (can't remeber the company name now).

the job is schedualed to be on Friday 19/05/2006... will keep you all posted.

MMamdouh

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Wed May 17, 2006 6:02 pm

Oh yes... its a GRAF water pump
http://www.graf.it/siti/catalogo/acqua/ ... dice=PA694

MMamdouh

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Sun May 21, 2006 10:08 am

replaced head gasket... seemed to be in good shape though, most probably it was only the head not bolted tight enough as the mechanic had to tighten the bolts subistantially at the initial oil leak diagnosis and their was no oil leak when we were taking the head off.

the engine head seemed in a pretty good condition for a 7.5 years old car... no oil buildups or scam whatsoever, seems like using Mobil1 and engine oil flush did a very good job. the mechanic said after cleaning the engine oil on the head "new engine heads doesn't come in better condition than your head"... now i know that the money spent on Mobil1 was well spent.

A/C and alternator belts were in bad condition... timing belt was kinda healthy but no thank you i won't keep it any longer... used Gates bets for timing and alternator, Genuine Daewoo for A/C belt. water pump was spinning freely with no signs of stiffness... it was leaking coolant though from the little port behind the gear.

avery thing was put back and the car now is running as good as ever... will keep an eye on oil and coolant level just in case...

MMamdouh

headly · Post by **headly** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:46 pm

MM,

Where abouts are the bolts for the head located and do you know what torque they are meant to be at?

Thanks

cslsxpistol · Post by **cslsxpistol** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:06 pm

hey i had the same problem....i dunno if u have been into the head latly then u might have put the gasket in upside down

SuzukiRacer · Post by **SuzukiRacer** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:35 pm

wow that all is interesting. I drive an 05 forenza, has about 32000 miles on it and ive never had any problems. but just recently, i too had a strange oil leak. It was dripping down by the oil filter and running along the oil pan. i saw that the valve cver gasket was seeping oil so i took the valve cover off and also saw oil pooled up in the spark plug well on the far drivers side. Took it to the dealer, all fixed under warranty. they said it came from behind the timing cover, never told me exactly what it was though.

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:02 am

headly wrote:MM,

Where abouts are the bolts for the head located and do you know what torque they are meant to be at?

Thanks

on my 1.5 SOHC their are 8 head bolts, 4 at each side... no idea about the correct torque specs though.

MMamdouh

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:04 am

cslsxpistol wrote:hey i had the same problem....i dunno if u have been into the head latly then u might have put the gasket in upside down

you can't "accedently" put the head gasket upside down, if that happens the damage will be much more subistantial than oil leak.

MMamdouh