EA Evasive Oil Leak

Sonic · 31-12-2005, 04:11 PM

Hi Folks,
My EA wagon's got a 2 litre per week oil leak and I'm blowed if I can find it.
There is high speed oil spray on battery, hoses etc and I originally guessed the front pulley seal. I replaced this (the old one didn't look that bad) but it didn't help. Steam cleaned the engine to look for oil but it's not obvious (to me anyway).
I can see oil sitting on top of the water pump, and after wiping it off, it returns (after a short drive) but I can't see any oil seeping whilst idling.
(Oil leak may have started shortly after replacing said water pump but I can't see what I might have done)

My driveway's looking very sad and my Father in Law won't let us park in his.

Any suggestions where to look are greatly appreciated.

TIA, Rob

Gubas · 31-12-2005, 04:23 PM

Mabey from the rocker cover? Try a new rubber gasket/seal.

**ebxr8240** · 31-12-2005, 04:28 PM

Check around chain tensioner? Make sure its tight? Its near water pump on right hand side of block/ timing chain cover...Its under pressure? So it makes sense that could be it ? As it doesn't appear to be just a leak ???

Brent-EA Ghia · 31-12-2005, 05:22 PM

By the amount of oil your loosing it sounds like it would be the timing chain tensioner, or a cracked timing case which is unlikely, but id seal up the tenisioner (helps to have a manual to show how to remove and install) . And also if you remove the timing cover bolts one at a time clean them up well and the timing cover aswell, then apply a good silicone to the threads and a small amount around the base of the head of the bolt. And check the tighness of the ones you cant get out.
Apart from that its usually the gasket between the head and the timing case which cant be changed without removing the head, or the rocker cover gasket.

cheers Brent.

Sonic · 31-12-2005, 05:39 PM

Thanks for the quick replies. I might go down to the car wash and clean the engine again tonight, then have a good look while it is idling.
Let you know.
Thanks, Rob

megsy · 31-12-2005, 05:41 PM

when you did the front seal, (crank shaft i assume) did you change the O rings on the tensioner. you may have just fixed one and caused another. the other problem i had was the gaskets between the sump and timing cover, and timing cover and head werent any good and i had to replace them. have fun finding your leak ;)

Sonic · 31-12-2005, 07:43 PM

Didn't touch the chain tensioner. I don't think I needed to, to replace the crank seal?
I'll definitely give the tensioner a good look tonight. I figure it must be higher than the water pump, as the pump pulley is covered in old oil but the crank pulley wasn't.
From there it goes everywhere (perpendicular to the pump).

Thanks,
Rob

**ebxr8240** · 01-01-2006, 01:33 AM

You may require a speedy sleev on crank???
This explains it better..
If required??Can be bought from bearing wholesalers..
http://www.quintec.nl/englisch/cr%20industries.htm