sundog

So a couple of weekends ago I was at Laguna Seca, and got black flagged for smoking.

Looking under the car, the entire right side rear wheel well was covered in oil. We wiped it down, and ran the engine, but didn't see any come out of any obvious locations. So tighten the lower valve covers, and off to the track again. After a few laps, noticed it again smoking, primarily when turning hard left. It doesn't look like it is coming from any of the oil pipes above the wheel, or the junction with the oil filter housing.

So the first day it seemed fine. Then my daughter went out and got me a quart of Shell from the local gas station because I forgot my Mobil1 15-50. I don't have it now, but it wasn't a match to 15-50.

Could the lower viscosity cause a major leak? Or maybe the steering pump gasket to the head. Or a Rocker shaft backing out?

A8KED

I don't know if this helps, but I had a mystery oil leak on the right side that turned out to be the hose on the bottom of the power steering reservoir. For some reason it leaked more in hard turns, maybe due to increased pressure? It was an easy quick fix to replace the hose and clamps. Maybe you will be as lucky!

Rocket Rob

Did you check the oil tank and thermostat oil lines? Also check the vent hoses. Can you tell what color the oil is? Is it engine oil or power steering fluid?

crg53

Definitely check the power steering fluid level. You could have a leak at the cam/power steering pulley, or from the hoses from the reservoir to the pump.

sundog

OK, I'll get into it this weekend and see if it is PS fluid.

I was wondering if the cheap oil could've started a leak as well?

Rocket Rob

If it was only 1 quart of different oil, I doubt that would be the cause of the problem. 1 quart out of 12 is only 8% so it won't make a big change in the overall oil chemistry.

sundog

It was formula shell 20-50 motor oil.

Thicker than then the mobil1 15-50

LexVan

It's not the mixing of two oils.

Is your oil filler neck A-OK?

sundog

Well, I finally got into the car to look for the problem.

First I had to get a lift!

Then take off the lower right valve cover. And the rocker shaft had backed out. Now I need to check all the other shafts to make sure this doesn't happen again!

Rocket Rob

Glad you found the source. Good luck with the repair.

ThomasC2

Wow, nice find! that could have been expensive!

sundog

Well, considering that I will likely have to buy new set of upper valve covers it won't be that cheap. But certainly less than replacing the cam towers.

robt964

Can you explain how this happens? How is the shaft held in place?

ThomasC2

here's a picture. When you tighten the nut and bolt the shaft expands in the ends and locks it in it's position. If this get's lose the rocker arm can stick or fall out and if your unlucky this can lead to major damage.

sundog

It is somewhat concerning to me that the shaft looks a little scored. First thought was to just push it back in, but looking at it im worried there might be damage where the rocker rocks on the shaft. Not sure if I can verify without removing the engine.