Oil leak on exhaust

jsloden · Post by **jsloden** » 31 Mar 2019, 16:55

Noticed a burning oil smell when setting in the car with it running for more than a minute or so. I looked under the car and it appears to be coming from the passenger side of the engine. I took the timing cover off and noticed a little pool of oil down toward the bottom of the timing cover. It doesn't seem to be getting on the belt at all but just pooled a little. I couldn't really tell if it was one of the cam seals or not just from lack of room you have to inspect things in there. All of the pcv system was replaced a year ago but I did the glove test just to be sure and the glove was sucked in so I guess it's just the seal. My question is though how common is it that the cam seals leak onto the exhaust? I've heard of the leaking but not making it's way all the way around to the exhaust. Is it possible it could be coming from somewhere else?

Thanks

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 31 Mar 2019, 17:04

Don't guess, add some tracer dye to the oil then track the leak back to the source.

tardcart · Post by **tardcart** » 31 Mar 2019, 18:00

burning oil smell would have to be over by the exhaust.You won't smell anything elsewhere. in that case it would probably be your spark plug area is filled with oil and dripping there or the turbo oiler pipe. if there are multiple leaks that would indicate some high rpm crankcase pressure problem despite working fine at idle. But first check under the plastic head cover for a pool of oil. if so get a new oil cap gasket to start and work from there

jsloden · Post by **jsloden** » 31 Mar 2019, 18:46

Thanks for the replies. Already checked under the spark plug cover. Completely dry. Like I said, the complete pcv system was already replaced less than a year ago. I can look under the car and see the oil running around from the passenger side of the engine and onto the exhaust. The engine is completely dry on top above the exhaust manifold. It's wicking around from the passenger side somehow. I can actually see it do this. I just can't tell where on the passenger side it's coming from. There is oil inside the timing cover though.

Thanks

Post by **abscate** » 31 Mar 2019, 18:53

That is classic cam seal leak. It can be exhaust, intake , or both.

You need to replace the tim8ng belt too, if it gets oil soaked.

tardcart · Post by **tardcart** » 31 Mar 2019, 20:04

it could also be the main seal. but I cant think of any scenario that would allow the oil pooling down at the bottom of the timing cover to get to the hot exhaust to make the burning smell. oil out side the block is same as oil in the block. 200F and you cant smell it. the exhaust is higher and away.

tardcart · Post by **tardcart** » 31 Mar 2019, 20:08

got to be the turbo feed then. only thing high enough to get to the exhaust. oil in the timing area red herring from smell.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 31 Mar 2019, 20:11

I obviously have a different model, but in mine the oil migrates from the timing belt side of the engine bay all the way over to the angle gear. It then flings onto the exhaust. The top end of mine is dry. Keep in mind that air turbidity can move things into places we wouldn't ordinarily see otherwise. My turbo oil feed is bone dry, as is the return.

As it so happens I'm going to finally check my front cam seals tomorrow.

jsloden · Post by **jsloden** » 31 Mar 2019, 20:45

Thanks for all the replies. Yeah the turbo side is completely dry other than the normal oil seepage that's always been there. The back of the motor is completely dry though except for where it's seeping around from the passenger side. Oh well, looks like it's time for the timing belt job. I'm guessing the front crank seal would be too low for this to happen.

Thanks

Post by **erikv11** » 31 Mar 2019, 21:16

You're on it. Front crank seal almost never leaks. Cam seals leak all the time and this sounds exactly like cam seals. Pull the cover and look, should be pretty clear. If not then clean up the oil, drive until it leaks, have a look.

Front cam seals only buy Volvo or Corteco brand, or be prepared to replace it again soon. May want to just do them both.