Ok, ive been trying to track down this oil leak ive been having. Goes through about 2 quarts in 3k miles. Last time i jacked the car up and wiped off everything down there that was coated in oil. Let it idle for 1 hr and found nothing under the car. I can never see oil from the top of the motor. That was a few weeks ago. Checked under there today, everythings wet again. Wiped it off; put it on jacks, let it idle, didnt see anythign. However i noticed after a few mins of running some smoke would periodically come out my exhaust. Does this mean oil is coming out through my exhaust?? and if so, how do i go about fixing that??

Thanks
Bill

 

It might be the rear main seal. Mine started to leak after I switched to sysnthetic oil. I was loosing about a quart every 3000 miles and like yours I couldn't see anything from the top. Rear main leaks are pretty common with our cars and you have to pull the tranny out the replace it!

 

when you wiped the oil off the first time where was most of it? the from of the pan the back? the tranny. we can all tell you stories of our oil leaks but that wont help much. what you have to do it clean it and get under there more often or every couple of days to check where it comes from. then give us all a general area and we can tell you where to start.

Ed

 

Ok, I just got back from Advance and looked under the car, the oil is just forming a drip now right behind the Adjuster pulley. I'm not sure what these pieces are called, but its beside the opti, in front of the oil case, and behind the adjuster pulley. And theres a small (1/2 diameter) metal pipe that the oil drips down onto (the pipe runs from side to side right above the front sway bar). There is a metal circular thign that I have no idea what it is, and so don't know if that could leak or if it even has oil in it. That is in the area i described above....does anybody know what im talking about??

 

I'm having a hard time understanding. It sounds like you're talking about the area just behind the tensioner. Theres the power steering above and then some power steering lines and AC lines running just above the tensrioner in that area. Sounds like you're saying the oil is dripping on the powersteering lines running up behind the tensioner. My idea is that your valve cover is leaking in the spot under the alternator and dripping down on the lines. I dont think any oil from the oil pan is going to jump forward an inch or 2 onto those PS lines but that is right there too. Am I on the right track to what you're talking about

 

I'm thinking its the old waterpump seal or the opti seal from the TC cover. I have that problem and so do a lot of others but I don't think I loose 2 qts every 3k. Mine just drips a couple times a day.

 

I'm having a hard time understanding. It sounds like you're talking about the area just behind the tensioner. Theres the power steering above and then some power steering lines and AC lines running just above the tensrioner in that area. Sounds like you're saying the oil is dripping on the powersteering lines running up behind the tensioner. My idea is that your valve cover is leaking in the spot under the alternator and dripping down on the lines. I dont think any oil from the oil pan is going to jump forward an inch or 2 onto those PS lines but that is right there too. Am I on the right track to what you're talking about

Yes, that is exactly right. (You are pretty good at interpreting my stupid explanations )At first i thought it was also the front of the oil pan, however i realized that it wouldn't have jump forward like that. Anything I can do to stop this without having to tear everything apart. I really dont want to have to keep adding oil in all the time.
Thanks anyways though
Bill

 

Well you need to find the source of the leak. Dont worry, I have to go in there too but my leak will probably jump out at me . It really isnt a big deal taking a couple of things off. Takin off the alternator and tensioner will take a good 5 min and open up visibility of the area enough to where you should be able to see everything in the area. SJS has a point, it could be the Timing Cover or WP seal too. The only way is to dig in and find that leak. I highly doubt its the TC or WP though. Just get in there and pray for the best

 

Ok, the next warm day i get ill go out and pull stuff apart to see whats going on in there..but what about the smoke out the exhaust? What does that mean..it wasn't cold outside when it was doing it either, just started piling out the exhaust for a bit.
Bill