Another oil leak thread

[jyossarian]

Hi gang,

I need some help with my 97 850 NA. My silver beauty just started leaking oil. The bottom is a mess and I'm hoping that it isn't the rear main seal. From what I can tell, the leak begins further up on the engine, but is large enough that the RMS may be involved too. The highest leak I found comes from the disk pictured. You are looking at the driver's side, aft of engine centerline. The bolt on the top of the picture is the top engine mount. I believe it is the exhaust camshaft rear oil seal. Can someone verify?

If it is the camshaft seal, does anyone have a write up for the removal and replacement?

I also think that the leak is caused by some increase in pressure in the PCV system. I want to fix this methodically and have read and re-read may threads. One of particular concern is MIJ's difficulty replacing his PCV and still continues to have positive pressure. I plan on first cleaning the EGR. Then I will replace only the small vacuum line on the PCV canister (one thread comment said this was the only clog in the whole system). Then I'm on to auto-rx. And finally, a full PCV system replacement.

Someone please shoot some holes in my plan or include something I've missed.

Thanks,
JY

[Ozark Lee]

That does look like a camshaft seal leak from the picture - you are lucky. The rear camshaft seals are pure cake to replace. Just remove the CPS, yank the old seal, and tap in the new one until it is flat and flush with the block.

Pay attention to the direction of the seal, if you put it in backwards it will leak worse than before.

...Lee