NZ951

I have a very small leak on the left side of the motor, there is a bit of grim and light oil mist so cant quite pin point it yet, but just curious to know of there is something that more regularly leaks oil on the left side? I leave about a 10c piece every could of weeks. Obviously ill get it checked out, just wanting some heads up

NZ951

PS it started about the time Mobil 1 5/50 was put in as well, thinking this might be to thin an oil for it.

jdog

What did you use before for oil?
When you say left I assume you mean drivers side?
Cam solenoid seal is the best I can guess without seeing a pic.
I just replaced both this winter. Very easy job.

NZ951

Not sure what was in it before, whatever the car yard had in it.

I mean passenger side (on a RHD car) So the left side.

I was thinking AOS possibly as well, bellows?

Pac996

Thought the AOS is on the water resevoir side in the front of the engine.

There's always a valve cover leak. Got any pictures? Valve covers don't use gaslets, just sealant.

NZ951

I will try to grab some pics, but not much to see, might have to steam clean it and see what looks new!

street rod

Are you positive its engine oil? Sometimes you can get a coolant overflow that drips out the left side.

Barn996

Spark plug tubes and o rings on them can leak.

theoilman

It's not the oil, the M1 5W-50 has a higher viscosity index than most oils on the market at all temps. I had a small leak from the same area and it was a bad clamp on the AOS bellows.

NZ951

Thats a good question and I cant confirm as I never have a wet spot, its always very dry and a small area on the ground.

NZ951

Spark plug tubes are oiled? What am I missing here?

Dharn55

The connection for the breather hose from the AOS that is located at the upper rear ob the 4-6 head/cam cover is a common source for a leak on that side.

NZ951

Thanks for the input guys, doesnt seem like its a major either way... is there an updated AOS design? I wont need the motor sport version since its a DD.

San Rensho

Typical leaks are the cam covers and the spark plug tubes. Tubes are an easy fix but the cam covers are expensive to have them resealed by a mechanic and a major DIY project. But if it is the cam covers, try taking out the lower cover bolts, clean them meticulously and goober lots of permatex red from the middle of the bolt to the bolt head and reinstall. Don't overtorque the bolts. I had 3 or 4 that were leaking and was able to get all the leaks fixed except for one bolt on each side. I can see a small leak but it doesn't drip on the floor.

jdog

What he is saying is that inside the head where the spark plugs are housed there are plastic tubes with an o ring at each end of the tube and if these o rings go bad then the oil will get past that seal enter the hole where the spark plug is housed and possibly could fill up with oil and leak out externally.
Here is a pic of the tube. When you pull the coil out of the hole you will see where the tube is.
http://www.paragon-products.com/Phot...996.105.325.52