Oil Leak

'94 9c1 novice · January 12, 2008

If I provided pics of where the oil is coming from as far as I can tell, would that help? I've already taken off the lower control arm crossmember, which was filled with dirt and oil, by the way to be able to see what's going on under there. It's leaking enough to concern me. Plus it's leaving spots in my garage. I should say that I can only see the general area it's coming from and not the actual place it's leaking.

the hammer · January 12, 2008

I think we can try and help, go ahead and post them

'94 9c1 novice · January 16, 2008

I tried to upload these but the site doesn't like the code or something like that. Here's a link to the photos and what they are of. They should be in order from #1 to #6.

Once you click the link, just click "view now" and you can see the pictures. Sorry it's like this but I spent 2 hours resizing, saving and uploading the pictures and don't have time to figure out how to post the actual pictures in this post.

Photo album

Ok, most of these are self explanatory but I'll give a brief description of each picture.

This is looking at the driver side. I had wiped off the somewhat thick coating of oil to see where it could be coming from. Looks like it's been leaking for a while... Ugh... Most of this is blowback.

Looking up at the oil filter & filter housing. There isn't any oil on the filter now because I wiped it clean but it does drip off the bottom of the filter. Not sure where it's coming from either.

This is the passenger side and can see where the oil is leaking like mad! The whiter part on the oil pan is the path it travels when it's not up on ramps in my garage. As you can see it's not leaking from the rear of the pan but about 1/2 way from the front.

This is looking from the rear and you can see the white spot where it would drip from. I thought these things were virtually leak proof??

This is where I can see the most oil coming from. It will slowly run from this general area. I used a screwdriver to move some wires for a better view.

This is a view from the front of the motor. You can see where oil is leaking from somewhere over by the pulleys. I took the plastic guard off for yet a better view.

I've got several guesses.

1. Oil pan gasket

2. Oil filter housing

3. Intake gasket

4. Rear main seal

Any help would be greatly apprecaited!

bossier62guy · January 16, 2008

If it were my truck I'd get under it with some degreaser and clean all that old stuff off of the motor and tranny first....that should make it easier to find the leaks.

the hammer · January 16, 2008

Do you have oil wetness under the valve cover lips?

Also are the head gaskets leaking (can you tell)

It seem tha the oil is comikng from the front right of your engin, is that correct?

Draenor · January 16, 2008

Has the PCV valve been checked? If it is bad, you could have excessive pressure giving you the blow by or blowing out the seals.

'94 9c1 novice · January 17, 2008

The leak IS coming from the the passenger side. I checked the PCV and it's working fine. I didn't see any oil coming from under the valve covers. There was a build up of oil at the front of the engine that's covered with dust. There's a foam piece that covers the front of the intake and from there to the front of the engine is where I'm talking about. I don't think it's the head gaskets. If it was the intake gasket, could one side if it fail and trickle down to one specific spot to where I'm seeing the leak?

'94 9c1 novice · January 20, 2008

Ok, I measured the amount of oil I lose every time I shut it off. over 3 oz. each time. Which means every 5 times I drive my truck I lose a quart of oil. I'm open to any suggestions!

the hammer · January 21, 2008

Dang buddy that is a lot of oil, it has to be a bad gasket. i bet it's your intake manifold

'94 9c1 novice · January 21, 2008

Tell me about it. After it's shut off and leaks what it's going to leak, it stops. I was gone for a few days and came back to see how much had leaked and put a new container under the truck and nothing else had leaked out. So the engine is slinging it up to the leak point then dripping out and stopping after the oil has settled down to the pan. How difficult is it to replace the intake gasket?

the hammer · January 23, 2008

Tell me about it. After it's shut off and leaks what it's going to leak, it stops. I was gone for a few days and came back to see how much had leaked and put a new container under the truck and nothing else had leaked out. So the engine is slinging it up to the leak point then dripping out and stopping after the oil has settled down to the pan. How difficult is it to replace the intake gasket?

I replaced one on a 4 cylinder engine once and it took me about two 1.5 hours total. On our v-8 engines, I would imagine it would take like 4 hours if you don't know what you're doing and it's the first time, maybe longer. It has to be a process, caus you have to worry about getting debris in the pushrod and lifter area. Maybe someone can chime in with a great step by step or sopmething to guide you.

cerbomark · January 23, 2008

If it were my truck I'd get under it with some degreaser and clean all that old stuff off of the motor and tranny first....that should make it easier to find the leaks.

I agree, start at the top to eliminate the possiblity that it s starting higher up and running down over other things. If it s leaking as much as you say, it shouldn t take long to see the leak after it s cleaned up.

'94 9c1 novice · January 23, 2008

The thing is, I can see where it's leaking from to a point, then I can't see any higher because of all the stuff in the way. I've tried the flashlight, LED light & extension mirror. The whole bit. Maybe I'll take another look. I've got a garage where I can do the work, but don't want to keep it clogged up for a week or two while I diagnose this stupid leak.

'94 9c1 novice · January 24, 2008

Ok, here's another clue to what is causing the leak. My "Low Engine Coolant" light keeps coming on. I add coolant and it doesn't come on for a few weeks then it comes on again. I can't see any leakage but it's got to go somewhere.

'94 9c1 novice · February 7, 2008

Ok, I got the intake manifold off and looks like it's the source of the leak(s). I've got 2 questions.

1. What would cause oil to be inside the actual intake before it meets up with the heads? It's crusty where the gasket is but oily the further up twords the top of the intake.

2. What can I use to clean off the contact surface of the plastic intake without harming it? Will a degreaser work ok? I don't want to ruin it by cleaning it with something abrasive.