Oil Leak(s)

Regdunlop · Post by **Regdunlop** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:29 pm

So I recently noticed a few small oil spots on my driveway coming from my 93 Deli. I took it to Kirkham Automotive here in Calgary and Brent told me that they couldn't say for sure what the source of the leak(s) is, but he speculated that it could be "the valve cover leaking over both sided of the block, the rear main seal could be leaking, and also the head gasket could be leaking"
He suggested that I source a valve cover gasket kit. I'm pretty new at this so I'm looking for some advice on where to look for this part. Or if anyone has any suggestions on where to look to help determine the source of the leak(s) that would be great.
Thanks guys!

Green1 · Post by **Green1** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 1:42 pm

sounds like there's enough oil on the engine that it's hard to see exactly where it's coming from, this makes troubleshooting difficult, often the best way is to clean it off so you can see when it starts, before it gets everywhere.

if it is the valve cover or gasket you should be able to see it near the top of the engine, as this is the top most aluminium cover on the engine, (the one with the oil cap on it) and extends down to near where the glow plugs are, if this cover or gasket are leaking it is an easy fix as it's all accessible.

Head gasket is a little lower down, and will usually be accompanied by more serious issues such as pressurized coolant, oil and coolant mixing, loss of power, hard starts, etc (an easy way to test this one is to loosen your radiator cap and then start the engine, if you end up with coolant everywhere, then head gasket, or head are toast, if it stays put, you're likely ok. (do this with a cold engine, and be prepared to turn it off quickly, it can make a real mess if you have a problem!))

main seal... this one is harder to test/see...

if you do need any parts, the main dealers on the coast can ship things out here easily enough, and depending on how much of a hurry you are in, they can be here next day. (coombs country autos and amazing auto imports are both good sources of new and used parts, rocky mountain imports is a good source of new parts (no used parts, so can end up being more expensive))

Ozibatla · Post by **Ozibatla** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:22 pm

Its most likely the Turbo. Dont worry about it.

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:59 pm

Mine was dripping oil as well so I had the $700 leaky turbo fix done. Got home and found it still dripping

but now that the engine was clean could see that it was coming from the front seals. Had that fixed and found another leak from the bottom of the dipstick and changed the o-ring. Got home and found it still dripping

but not as much. Found it leaking from the rear main seal and had that fixed.

Figured that after a grand and a half that should be the end of it but no. Now it's leaking out of the vacuum pump

and once that's fixed that should be the end of it because everything else is finally dry. So the point of this story is that on a lot of these cars the seals sometimes get brittle with age and need to be changed. It's a good idea to have the engine cleaned really good and check frequently to see where it's coming from before it spreads out everywhere.

Good luck
Stewart

jessef · Post by **jessef** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:47 am

Half moon seal on the valve cover in the rear is a common thing to leak oil. Drips down the rear/sides and you can't tell where the oil is coming from.

$10 part. 1/2 hr replacement.

Source the gasket from any of the JDM importers.

after oil · Post by **after oil** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:18 am

Stewart wrote:Mine was dripping oil as well so I had the $700 leaky turbo fix done. Got home and found it still dripping but now that the engine was clean could see that it was coming from the front seals. Had that fixed and found another leak from the bottom of the dipstick and changed the o-ring. Got home and found it still dripping but not as much. Found it leaking from the rear main seal and had that fixed. Figured that after a grand and a half that should be the end of it but no. Now it's leaking out of the vacuum pump and once that's fixed that should be the end of it because everything else is finally dry. So the point of this story is that on a lot of these cars the seals sometimes get brittle with age and need to be changed. It's a good idea to have the engine cleaned really good and check frequently to see where it's coming from before it spreads out everywhere.

Good luck
Stewart

hi stewart, just wondering what how many kms were on your van when you got it?

Spearo · Post by **Spearo** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:10 am

I bought mine and it still had thin winter oil in it and the turbo was leaking. It was Spring so I changed to 15/40, leak disappeared.
It's Winter again and I switched to 5/40 last month and still no leaks.
Probably you don't want to go to a heavier oil this time of year but maybe something to consider if you don't have big bucks to throw at leaks right now.
Cheers,
Erik

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:12 am

hi stewart, just wondering what how many kms were on your van when you got it?[/quote]

170k

Erebus · Post by **Erebus** » Sat Dec 05, 2009 12:14 am

Going back to the original question, if Brent at Kirkham couldn't find it, my suspicion is your engine is so covered in oil he couldn't tell where it came from, especially given the widely divergent locations he suggested as possibles. Clean the engine, then you should be able to see where it is coming from.

MrDuncon · Post by **MrDuncon** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:09 am

Hi All!

I just arrived at work... and when i wanted to go school my yellow "Oil Level" light turned on. I jumped out and checked the ground... yes its oil leaking... "Happy Holiday!" i thought

Now i waiting in my office for the repairman...

The syndrome is: When the engine running, it blow the oil out on the right side at the bottom of the engine.
My tips: oil sensor fail or oil return hose

Life sucks (sometimes)...

EnviroImports.com · Post by **EnviroImports.com** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:51 am

if its alot of oil, and at the back you may have a leak in your rear main seal. not cheap or easy to get to....

Erebus · Post by **Erebus** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:13 am

When the oil light comes on, you basically have no oil left. It doesn't so much signify "low oil" as "no oil". Because it is an oil pressure light, not an oil level light, the engine copes until the oil level is really low. And by then it is very late. Really wish vehicles had an oil level gauge. It can be done, I remember the Renault Fuego had one.

Good luck with the repair.

Spearo · Post by **Spearo** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:26 am

Erebus wrote:It can be done, I remember the Renault Fuego had one.
.

I think it NEEDED one lol!
j/k, I have no idea about the car.

jessef · Post by **jessef** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:43 am

An oil leak is an oil leak.

Any mechanic with enough time will track it down. Many these days use a dye which can pinpoint an oil leak even if the block is saturated in oil.

You may get a dozen different responses on here about oil leaks.

This engine is nothing special. A good mechanic will look at all the probable areas usually from top to bottom.

Valve cover/half moon gasket
oil sensor
oil cap
head gasket/head
remove timing cover - crank and cam seal / oil pump
oil pan gasket
oil pan drain plug
oil filter (tightened too much or loose)
rear main seal

The list is typical and should be easy to diagnose in person

also since you're oil light is on, check the oil level and see how much was lost

and of course don't drive it with little to no oil

Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

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