Engine oil leaks are a pain, both in mess and the cost of topping the missing oil up on a regular basis.

 

However some leaks can be more of a worry than others, the front top of the engine is one area to be wary of, any leaks in this area are almost certainly from the cam end seals and will be covering the cambelt with hot oil every time you drive it.

 

As luck would have it a zed in the workshop last week was in dire need of cam seals so took some pics.

 

Here are some of the underside

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look horrible and trust me flipping mucky to work on!!

 

continue..............

Edited June 26, 201312 yr by JeffTT

The tell tail signs at the cam covers leak can be at either end or just the middle or all three as in this case, the amount of oil that get flicks about can be quite conciderable.

 

 

 

 

The inside of the right hand cam belt cover shows how oily it was inside

 

 

Unfortunately quite a strip down to get to as the cam sprockets need removing as ell as the back plates and then all need cleaning of course.

 

 

Jeff

Edited June 26, 201312 yr by JeffTT

Thats rust prevention Jeff,and saves oil changes the constant top ups do the trick !!

Thats rust prevention Jeff,and saves oil changes the constant top ups do the trick !!

 

Yes cool, shame that non sprayed on his radiator cross member then eh!!

 

Jeff

jeff what would the common fault or common area of a leak from behind the engine that you cant see??

jeff what would the common fault or common area of a leak from behind the engine that you cant see??

 

If you mean the rear of the engine that would be either outer cam covers or the rear crank seal one is plenum off and the other needs gearbox out.

 

Any outer cam cover leaks will run down the block and also fall on to the turbo`s / exhaust manifold and smell when you gun it hard, the rear crank seal will show between the gearbox and engine mating point, having said that it will get so messy it can be hard to tell between the two.

 

A good clean off and then run the car again for a day or so and another look should show it out.

 

 

Jeff TT

ive got a cam cover leak onto the passengers side turbo, cant be arsed fixing it though

If you mean the rear of the engine that would be either outer cam covers or the rear crank seal one is plenum off and the other needs gearbox out.

 

Any outer cam cover leaks will run down the block and also fall on to the turbo`s / exhaust manifold and smell when you gun it hard, the rear crank seal will show between the gearbox and engine mating point, having said that it will get so messy it can be hard to tell between the two.

 

A good clean off and then run the car again for a day or so and another look should show it out.

 

 

Jeff TT

 

thanks will have a look once i get home. just noticed it before i went away.