Oil leak.

[minny]

Didn't see this when I bought the car, being obscured by the manifold and AC, but doing the AC and timing belt recently I found there was quite an extensive amount of wet all on the left (as you look at it) side of the cylinder head, from the front to almost the rear. There was also some oil ingress into the timing belt area, not on the belt, the the bolts to the tensioner were oily. Drips of oil were forming in the area as photo below. Dry at the front, right and side of cylinder head.

I assumed this to be the rocker/ cam cover gasket, but oddly under that from the front to almost the rear it was pretty dry, with the exception of the rear where it was oily around thar abd also on and below the EGR area.

I was wondering if people who worked with these cars over years had any idea where this leak could be coming from. Is the the cam/ rocker cover the most likely place? or could it be coming from the head gasket? the power seems fine and no emulsion any where, water coolant clear.

thanks.

Drip formation at points on pick below (A/C and A/C braket removed), I had already wiped up and cleaned most of the we oil, but you can see the extent hopefully on the picture.

http://i68.tinypic.com/29nh75c.jpg

[spartacus 68]

Your best bet is to clean the area thoroughly. Use a degreaser and hose off. Trying to trace an old leak is a bit of a needle in a haystack. If it is the rocker cover gasket, then run your finger along the outer edge one it's been cleaned off. Don't be tempted to tighten the rocker cover bolts, as that will simply aggravate the issue. New gasket and torque bolts in sequence, but don't over-tighten.

Take the car for a spirited drive. Once the engine gets up to operating temperature the viscosity of the oil changes and it will start to weep, and you'll have a better idea what's leaking. Could be a split breather hose, so check them too.

[Crasher]

Probably running down from the EGR valve, quite normal.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd20/Crasher1964/oilonEGRvalve.jpg (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Crasher1964/media/oilonEGRvalve.jpg.html)

[minny]

I think the best place to start is just to replace the rocker gasket, I had to on my old petrol version, it's relatively inexpensive and might work, if not, it removes that from the equation.

Thanks for your reply.

[minny]

The we does seem to be coming from there, though the tube is disconnected on mine, I assume the previous owner did it for more power.

[Crasher]

Disconnecting the EGR reduces power, increases fuel consumption and is illegal. The oil escapes from the valve due to internal wear. The oil is in the charge air system because some escapes from the turbo piston rings and some is drawn out of the breather system and some of this condenses and builds up so it slowly seeps from any tiny gap it can find.

[minny]

Disconnecting the EGR reduces power, increases fuel consumption and is illegal. The oil escapes from the valve due to internal wear. The oil is in the charge air system because some escapes from the turbo piston rings and some is drawn out of the breather system and some of this condenses and builds up so it slowly seeps from any tiny gap it can find.

That's interesting, reduces power and increases fuel consumption? It was like it when I got it so I looked it up to see why it was like that. Everywhere I looked said that it was done to increase power and get better fuel economy; next time I have the bonnet open I will reconnect it and see what happens. I know it reduces emissions.

Can these be fixed or does it mean a new one? Them things is expensive.

[Gazwould]

A disabled egr increases turbo spool as all the exhaust gasses are being used , you get a more drivable car . So it doesn't reduce power .

Mpg unaffected or a few mpg gain as proper oxygenated combustion is occurring .

Soot is now not entertaining the induction system to mix with the normal occurring crankcase oil vapour that makes the most wonderfull gunk that acts as a grinding paste on moving parts .


Engine oil stays cleaner for longer .

Keep it disabled and plug the two atmospheric holes with grommets .

[Crasher]

There is a conflict of opinion over it, some say one thing and others say another-confusing. http://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/2012/05/dont-block-or-remove-the-egr-valve-its-saving-you-money/

A cheap EGR valve from ECP is £114.

[Gazwould]

And a bolt is free .

It might be make and model specific wether you win or loose a few mpg .

Personally I gained a few mpg but even if I lost a few like you do in winter with a disabled egr because of longer warm up times for the driveability , less soot , oil staying cleaner I'd do it .

That article at the end there is no performance advantage is rubbish , some academics eh ! Just read the world over in forums that the exhaust gasses undiverted spools the turbo earlier providing low down torque .

Quite noticeable and a felt difference .

A diesel truck article claims a 3% reduction in efficiency .

http://www.weatherimagery.com/blog/diesel-engine-egr-bad/

[minny]

Keep it disabled and plug the two atmospheric holes with grommets .



That was pretty much the consensus of opnion.

[minny]

http://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/2012/05/dont-block-or-remove-the-egr-valve-its-saving-you-money/


Interesting read, thanks.