Anybody know what this leak is?

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 Apr 2011, 07:27

: Transmission weep hole

That's an odd one, really. It's not the distributor cam seal as the front of it's dry, but the oil does travel up a bit to the front of the transmission. Hmm.

Like others said, I would clean up as much of the oil as possible and then try to spot where it is coming from. Check this area too for oil. That's your (other) rear cam seal.

Free2drive! · Post by **Free2drive!** » 11 Apr 2011, 14:08

Thanks, the top end of the engine is clean, no leaks and very dry.

Thanks for the photo of the weep hole, here is mine.

VolvoTurbo850 · Post by **VolvoTurbo850** » 11 Apr 2011, 15:57

that big drop of oil on the bolt for the oil pan is not a good sign. Main seal.

Post by **jblackburn** » 11 Apr 2011, 16:24

Hrm, yep - it looks like at least some (most) of it is from there. I still don't know if that would explain the oil on the side of it - but that's the only real scenario for the underside of it being wet right at that hole.

crezzy2k1 · Post by **crezzy2k1** » 12 Apr 2011, 01:29

Yeah, looking up at the engine it doesn't look like its the oil return pipe. Main Seal is most likely gone.

Free2drive! · Post by **Free2drive!** » 12 Apr 2011, 01:55

crezzy2k1 wrote:Yeah, looking up at the engine it doesn't look like its the oil return pipe. Main Seal is most likely gone.

I checked and no oil stains at the back of the motor, there is a lot of oil under the turbo and the grey part of the turbo is covered in oil!

Matt

Free2drive! · Post by **Free2drive!** » 12 Apr 2011, 02:00

I needed a rear main seal replacing 3 years ago and the garage wanted 10hrs of labour plus parts and tax, 550 pounds!! I traded and got another car.

Does anyone know how much a decent garage would charge for this job?

Matt

crezzy2k1 · Post by **crezzy2k1** » 12 Apr 2011, 02:23

To be 100% sure change the oil return o ring and gasket, and get some carb cleaner and clean it up good under there. Check to see how much oil is coming through that weep hole. I couldn't say how much a garage would charge to change the rear main as the engine and transmission must be removed from the car (not an easy job) here in the UK it would probably cost more than what the car is worth. There's a good write up in the repair section on how to do it yourself (if you fancy it

You never know you might be lucky it may well be that o ring and gasket!

Post by **jblackburn** » 12 Apr 2011, 06:02

Oi, that explains something then. I was trying to see how ALL of that would be from the RMS - the pattern is weird.

The good news (maybe) is that oil on the turbocharger is from a blown-out rear cam seal under your cam sensor. Change that seal, clean up as much of the oil as you can, and see if the RMS is still leaking significantly.

Free2drive! · Post by **Free2drive!** » 19 Apr 2011, 14:19

I thought I would update everyone with the current situation. I am getting the car looked at on Thursday but all indications point to a failed rear crank seal. I lost nearly 2 quarts of oil since Friday, it is blowing out past the seal and under the bottom of the car. I have the tell tail spots of oil all over the tailgate. Also the dipstick was pushed right out of its sleeve and oile was all over the top of the engine. Worst is going to be the clean up!!

Anyway, I surprised myself and completed a full pcv system overhaul in 3hrs!! I did my first one 18 months ago. Wish I had the confidence to do the RMS. So the garage are going to quote me on Thursday for replacing the rear main seal.

I really like the car, it has 151,000 miles and runs very well. I think it is worth repairing even though it is 17 years old. I don't think I could find another T5 or turbo that would compare unless the owner has done all the necessary maintenance.

Here are some photo's of my pcv work.
Regards
Matt

Anybody know what this leak is?

Re: Anybody know what this leak is?