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I thought for the last five years that the oil I keep finding splattered all over the drain pan, tranny, etc was from the oil drain bolt on the bottom of the oil pan. However, my mechanic pointed out to me today that the leak is actually coming from a different bolt above. I didn't take a pic, but the bolt appeared to be on the bottom of the engine block about 4" above where the oil pan mates with the block. It looks to be the same size bolt as the oil drain bolt and he believes it has a crush washer as well. Does anyone know the purpose of this bolt and if it uses the same size washer as the oil drain bolt? I'll snap a pic this weekend and post it. He seems to think the axle may need to be removed to get the bolt out of its a longer one.
Here's a pic of the leaking bolt. Closest thing I could find is bolt 23 in the parts fiche. Except breather bolt 22 is shown directly behind it. Does 22 thread into 23? If so, I don't think this is the one. The bolt in question is just a couple inches above where the oil pan meets the crankcase.
Things that make you go Hmmmmm. It does have a washer under the head. Try tightening the bolt, clean area with spray brake cleaner, and watch over time to see if leak reappears.
It could be item 20 (main bearing cap cross bolt) but it doesn't show a washer in the diagram.
main bearing cap side (reinforcement) bolt. I am doubtful this is source of the leak.
Well, this is the highest point where I see oil. I suppose it could be flinging up there from the leaky oil pan bolt. Maybe I'll fashion up some sort of shield to see if it stays clean up there. The description says "bolt, drain plug" and "washer, drain", so it is conceivable that oil could leak out of here.
Well, this is the highest point where I see oil. I suppose it could be flinging up there from the leaky oil pan bolt. Maybe I'll fashion up some sort of shield to see if it stays clean up there. The description says "bolt, drain plug" and "washer, drain", so it is conceivable that oil could leak out of here.
I would say it is from oil pan or drain bolt. Wind turbulence while driving can push liquids in various directions. Clean it really good with brake kleen. Let it idle for 30min, check for leak again.
I would say it is from oil pan or drain bolt. Wind turbulence while driving can push liquids in various directions. Clean it really good with brake kleen. Let it idle for 30min, check for leak again.
Yeah, makes sense. Not sure why it's leaking though. I always use a new crush washer and torque to spec. Maybe I'll try putting some Teflon tape on the threads.
Here's a pic of the leaking bolt. Closest thing I could find is bolt 23 in the parts fiche. Except breather bolt 22 is shown directly behind it. Does 22 thread into 23? If so, I don't think this is the one. The bolt in question is just a couple inches above where the oil pan meets the crankcase.
Bolt 23/22 is the bolt and nipple to drain coolant from the engine block (red in the attached image).
I agree with Reorge. I think the bolt you pictured is 20 (yellow in the attached image). It comes with a washer (see part 20 in the 2nd attached picture)
I also think that your oil drain bolt is more likely the source. My drain bolt was leaking in the past (bad crush washer) and the splatter looked just like your splatter.
Yep. That looks like the one (yellow one). I'll replace the drain plug and put a new crush washer on. Like I said though, I always use a new crush washer and torque it to spec and it has always continued to leak.
Yep. That looks like the one (yellow one). I'll replace the drain plug and put a new crush washer on. Like I said though, I always use a new crush washer and torque it to spec and it has always continued to leak.
Did you change the timing belt tensioner (green circle) when you did the timing belt? When the tensioner fails, it releases an oily substance.
Some other members on this forum report oil leaks from the oil pump (purple circle).
Wind can blow leaks from either area to bolt 20 and down.
edit: I just noticed you've had this problem five years, ignore the comment about the tensioner. Not likely that a bad tensioner would take five years to completely fail.
Things that make you go Hmmmmm. It does have a washer under the head. Try tightening the bolt, clean area with spray brake cleaner, and watch over time to see if leak reappears.
It could be item 20 (main bearing cap cross bolt) but it doesn't show a washer in the diagram.
Your diagnosis is wrong, oil flows from the oil pump gasket and gets on this bolt.
Your diagnosis is wrong, oil flows from the oil pump gasket and gets on this bolt.
I didn't diagnosis anything. I said what something "looks" like and another statement said "could be".
Let try and help the OP and not bash people for making suggestions.
I didn't diagnosis anything. I said what something "looks" like and another statement said "could be".
Let try and help the OP and not bash people for making suggestions.
I didn't bash anyone, this gasket is leaking, To replace it, Mitchell 1 gives 5.5 hours of labor
I realize this is an old thread but if the oil leak is minor you an try some gasket sealer from Rislone, it worked to seal my minor leak in the rear main seal. Keep in mind if the gasket is broken it will not help and should be replaced instead.
I still haven't addressed the leak, but am thinking it is coming from the oil filter housing or the vtech solenoid. I'm about to have the timing belt done, so I plan on having the mechanic figure out exactly where it's coming from so it can be fixed. I sure hope it isn't that other internal seal that takes 5.5 hrs, unless it isn't that bad to do once the timing belt is off?
I still haven't addressed the leak, but am thinking it is coming from the oil filter housing or the vtech solenoid. I'm about to have the timing belt done, so I plan on having the mechanic figure out exactly where it's coming from so it can be fixed. I sure hope it isn't that other internal seal that takes 5.5 hrs, unless it isn't that bad to do once the timing belt is off?
It would be funny if your mechanic changes your timing belt and then you have to do the job all over again to change the oil pump gasket.
What's stopping you from changing the oil filter housing gasket first?
It would be funny if your mechanic changes your timing belt and then you have to do the job all over again to change the oil pump gasket.
What's stopping you from changing the oil filter housing gasket first?
Not sure why that would be funny, but yeah that would suck. What's stopping me is not knowing if that is the cause of the leak.
Not sure why that would be funny, but yeah that would suck. What's stopping me is not knowing if that is the cause of the leak.
Do you really not have a repair shop that can clean everything properly, then start the engine and find the leak? This is the most elementary diagnostics that everyone should be able to do.
Pay them for one hour of diagnosis and find out the real cause of the leak.
I had exactly the same problem with a wet bolt and it was the oil pump gasket.
Thanks. I'll just go ahead and get that seal, and maybe the crew solenoid one too . Although I feel like i replaced that one 6 years ago when I bought the car.
Local shop wants $800 to do the seal and timing belt, etc. That's with me providing the parts. Dealer wants $1400 (labor only). Starting to think I should maybe just do it myself.
Local shop wants $800 to do the seal and timing belt, etc. That's with me providing the parts. Dealer wants $1400 (labor only). Starting to think I should maybe just do it myself.
Okay. Just tearing into things today. Had issue with the damn crank bolt and had to buy a new impact to get it off, but that's out of the way now. Toughest part thus far is removing the bolts for the rear camshaft cover. What a PITA! Not looking forward to putting those back on.
Two things I noticed today. One, the engine mount appears to be shot (video attached). Can someone confirm this needs to be replaced? And I'm assuming the drivers side also needs replacing. Is it likely the others are shot too?
Also noticed a leak from top of the rear valve cover, which i haven't noticed before. I'll investigate further as I get some more free time, but in the meantime was wondering if anyone else has had this same issue and what the cause was. I know there are seals inside the spark plug holes.
After having looked at the manual, I see there is a motor mount in the front and another in the rear. The front is easy enough to check, but I'd rather not mess with the rear, unless it is common for this one to go bad too?
I've decided to do the side mount only for now. I don't need another task right now.
So, I've got everything apart and will be dropping the oil pan tomorrow. From the looks of it, it looks like my main leak is around the entire oil pan, not the oil pump as anticipated. Regardless, I'll be replacing the oil pump o-ring while I've got the timing belt off.
Heres a pic of the transmission covered in oil. It has been doing this for a few years. Maybe I don't have an oil consumption problem after all! 😄
I've decided to do the side mount only for now. I don't need another task right now.
So, I've got everything apart and will be dropping the oil pan tomorrow. From the looks of it, it looks like my main leak is around the entire oil pan, not the oil pump as anticipated. Regardless, I'll be replacing the oil pump o-ring while I've got the timing belt off.
Heres a pic of the transmission covered in oil. It has been doing this for a few years. Maybe I don't have an oil consumption problem after all! 😄
OMG, I have never seen such a huge oil leak on J engines, the oil does not just leak, it flows in a stream. You really drove like this for 2 years and couldn’t find the place where it was leaking from?
I've decided to do the side mount only for now. I don't need another task right now.
So, I've got everything apart and will be dropping the oil pan tomorrow. From the looks of it, it looks like my main leak is around the entire oil pan, not the oil pump as anticipated. Regardless, I'll be replacing the oil pump o-ring while I've got the timing belt off.
Heres a pic of the transmission covered in oil. It has been doing this for a few years. Maybe I don't have an oil consumption problem after all! 😄
How much brake cleaner did you use during that time to find the oil leak?
OMG, I have never seen such a huge oil leak on J engines, the oil does not just leak, it flows in a stream. You really drove like this for 2 years and couldn’t find the place where it was leaking from?
Honestly, it's probably been like this for 5+ years 😄. I've just been topping off the oil periodically. No leaks on the ground so it isn't as bad as it appears. Will be nice to finally get it fixed. I was expecting the issue to be the oil pump seal, but I was wrong.
Honestly, it's probably been like this for 5+ years 😄. I've just been topping off the oil periodically. No leaks on the ground so it isn't as bad as it appears. Will be nice to finally get it fixed. I was expecting the issue to be the oil pump seal, but I was wrong.
03-25-2021, 10:06 PM
