Still battling mystery engine oil leak... experienced help please!

[ohlarikd]

I've been battling an oil leak for over a year now. I used engine oil dye, still I just can't tell where its coming from cause it spreads out over everything.

2.2L 87 T1, Shelby Charger. Pretty much stock parts.

1) I can see oil on the oil pan edges, towards back of engine. I had resealed the pan, but I still see it.
2) Oil drips down from there and gets all over transmission area. But I think the trans may be ok. For now.
3) I replaced the oil drainback tube with new silicone. Definitely no oil leak there from silicone tube.
4) Leak is from back side / firewall side of engine, near middle. Does not appear to be any end seals.

All I can think of now is that the turbo oil drain back tube that ENTERS the BLOCK is leaking. I can't really see it from any angle, too many things in the way. Is it possible for an oil leak to be there at that junction on the block? If so - how to fix that?

Any other ideas for leaks on back of engine. VERY frustrating, I have spent so much useless time trying to tackle this.

THANKS for any ideas of experience!

Derek

[5sp. mini]

has the gasket been changed that the rear main goes into? that would leak down the trans pan.

[trannybuster]

any puffs of smoke from backside by exhaust manifold

[ohlarikd]

has the gasket been changed that the rear main goes into? that would leak down the trans pan.

Since I don't know what you are referring to, I would say no. It's definitely on the trans side though. What gasket would that be? I have the FSM, but not sure what to look for.

Thanks!

Derek

---------- Post added at 12:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 AM ----------

any puffs of smoke from backside by exhaust manifold

Nope, no puffs of smoke anywhere. Its a good running engine with no signs of issues, other than the oil leak...

[5sp. mini]

there is a braket that holds the rear main seal and it goes on the block but it is behide the flywheel so trans will have to be out to gain acc, to it there is also a free plug in the oil gallery that is on the block for the think it is for dist.gear the sending unit feeds for the gallery.

[ohlarikd]

there is a braket that holds the rear main seal and it goes on the block but it is behide the flywheel so trans will have to be out to gain acc, to it there is also a free plug in the oil gallery that is on the block for the think it is for dist.gear the sending unit feeds for the gallery.

That crankshaft seal appears to be the only seal on that end of the engine, correct? That is probably it then... looks like a massive amount of work. Great. I will have to do it I guess. The engine can stay in the car though - true? With the trans removed, that crankshaft seal should be in the open from what I can tell.

Derek

[135sohc]

Flywheel has to come off as well but yes its right there on the end.

With the tin plate removed from the bottom of the bellhousing is the back of the flywheel wet ? if so yes its probably leaking but I have had the oil gallery plug on the end of the block leak like a mofo but that wont get the flywheel covered in oil.

[ohlarikd]

Flywheel has to come off as well but yes its right there on the end.

With the tin plate removed from the bottom of the bellhousing is the back of the flywheel wet ? if so yes its probably leaking but I have had the oil gallery plug on the end of the block leak like a mofo but that wont get the flywheel covered in oil.

Ok, well - gonna have to prepare the car for surgery then. When I get that plate off I will check the condition of the flywheel. Definitely oil dripping from the plate area, but I thought it was coming from the oil pan area and dripping down. It's just all over the place. I tried all the quick fixes but to no avail.

Thanks for the the help so far. Any other ideas or tips are welcomed. This is the first time for me in this area.

Derek

[ohlarikd]

Started a new thread in the transmission section. Got the car in its resting place in my garage. Will try to start the fight this weekend.

[mmmadog]

Are you sure its motor oil? I had a csx that would let out a big cloud of smoke when I would back into my driveway. Turns out the power steering hose was bad and would only do it when I turned the wheel all the way to 1 side.

[RoadWarrior222]

I was gonna mention that too, I had a fitting loose on the PS pump and it hosed down the back of the motor sporadically, but by the time it made it's way through the ancient dirt and seepage coating the block and dripped off the pan, it looked like oil.

[ohlarikd]

I did check the PS pump before, and it looks fine. My engine is quite clean actually, so I don't think I am misreading it. Also, I put dye in the engine oil, and I can see that dye all over the back and trans. I will of course double check when I get the car on the jackstands.

I WISH it was that easy.

Derek

[pauly_no_van]

This is a sneaky one...
There is a bolt that acts double as a plug on the 8v head on it its driver side bottom right.
The bolt used for holding water and turbo lines.
It has a passage into where the head bolt is at and oil leaks out of that area if bolt is not covered w rtv.

[ohlarikd]

This is a sneaky one...
There is a bolt that acts double as a plug on the 8v head on it its driver side bottom right.
The bolt used for holding water and turbo lines.
It has a passage into where the head bolt is at and oil leaks out of that area if bolt is not covered w rtv.

Interesting... I know I do not use that bracket anymore since I replaced the hoses with the SS ones. Of course, I have the Spearco intercooler sitting right there, and I cannot see it. I will remove the intercooler and see if I can see any leak there... which of course would be awesome. Thanks for the tip, will investigate.

Derek

[turbovanman²]

This is a sneaky one...
There is a bolt that acts double as a plug on the 8v head on it its driver side bottom right.
The bolt used for holding water and turbo lines.
It has a passage into where the head bolt is at and oil leaks out of that area if bolt is not covered w rtv.

+2, many have been caught out by this bolt.

[ohlarikd]

Guess it couldn't be that easy... Here is a pic. The whole side of the head looks clean, and I guess I did put that bolt back in there. Let me know if you see something strange....

[turbovanman²]

Your right, not that easy, lol.

So in that case, I"d be looking at the turbo feed line at the turbo, rear main and the galley plug above the rear main, that also has caught many a person out. I like to tap those galleys for a pipe plug so they never leak again.

[ohlarikd]

Your right, not that easy, lol.

So in that case, I"d be looking at the turbo feed line at the turbo, rear main and the galley plug above the rear main, that also has caught many a person out. I like to tap those galleys for a pipe plug so they never leak again.

It was a good try though, I never looked there because the intercooler was blocking that view. So rear main and galley plug are both behind the trans... guess that plan is still a-go. Turbo looks good.