maximus_96

iTrader: (5)

Today while i was trying to get at the crank position sensor i notice there is quite a bit of oil around my lower oil pan. i took some pictures shown below. i understand the oil pressure sending unit is a cause of leaks. but looks like my situation is worse than that. do i need to replace the oil pan gasket or something? i also plan on replacing the valve cover gaskets. i don't know if the leak up by the valve cover will have anything to do with the mess down by the oil pan.

please advise, thanks!

leaky valve cover gasket


something is leaking...but what??

vqmaxman

I would First clean the whole engine bay and clean the whole area up with the engine cleaner or some pressure water. I would check the oil level and then check the oil spots for a week or so then check exzactly were the oil Is coming from. I would say you are more likey having a leaking front cover valve gaskets. and check the back while your at it. The leak on the oil pan Is more likely to be a oil pressure switch.

2da mizzax

iTrader: (4)

could be from oil changes etc. I do have an oil pan for sale if you need it. they are quite expensive.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Thats not bad at all, just clean it and keep your eye on it.
Check your oil level regularly.

maximabebe

iTrader: (24)

Try to keep the lower areas free of oil as the leak can cause bushing failure on your passenger side lower control arm bushing.

maximus_96

iTrader: (5)

how can the control arm cause a leak in the oil pan?

also, is it necessary to drain the oil when replacing the oil pressure switch? i just changed the oil a few weeks ago and am only 400 miles into it...

thanks

JSMax

iTrader: (13)

you will need to top up the oil as most of it will drain out. You will still have the amount that is below that o.p. switch and what is in the filter. 2.5 quarts should do you fine I would think.

Navin R Johnson

It can't. Maximabebe was saying that the oil leak can ruin the bushing...True...

heynow

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, i have a Rear TC cover leak that leaks right down on the right LCA bushing (which is only 1 year old)

As for the OP, i'd look at the rear VC, TC cover, and maybe the upper/lower oil pan gasket.

nismology

iTrader: (8)

That could be the front oil pan gasket that goes between the timing cover and oil pan. Its counterpart on the rear of the engine is a common leak point which 99.9% of people mistakenly blame on the rear main seal (which never leaks btw).

Snypa

iTrader: (35)

reseal?

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Never leaks as in you don't believe it's possible for that seal to leak, or as in you've never seen a case of it?

nismology

iTrader: (8)

Never seen a case of it, regardless of mileage. Always assumed it was the RMS until I really started paying attention on the VQ's I've encountered.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Which seal do you mean, the FIPG on the upper oil pan where it meets the RMS?

nismology

iTrader: (8)

Not sure what FIPG means , but yes. The one between the RMS retainer and pan.

WhiteMaxima9600

Mine looks the same way, but that's not too bad looking.. I would bet it's the gasket, they get hard and brittle over time as u know. I need to replace mine also

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Ah, gotcha.

FIPG == form in place gasket. I hate to say RTV for some reason.

nismology

iTrader: (8)

The funny thing is, most people that replace the rear main seal itself are likely to create a leak where the wasn't one to begin with since it's so hard to get it seated properly. That combined with the fact that most aren't willing to drop the oil pan like they're supposed to and end up reusing that gasket and stuff a whole bunch of RTV there hoping it doesn't leak = a recipe for disaster.


K threadjack over.

nismology

iTrader: (8)

Anyway, this is what I'd be willing to bet the culprit is.



Fits between the oil pan and outer timing cover.

heynow

iTrader: (1)

^^^^That looks like my problem right there. I guess you'd need to drop both oil pans, but not the TC cover, right?

maximus_96

iTrader: (5)

Finally got a chance to get underneath the car and found that my power steering pump is leaking. I’m not positive it’s the pump itself or hoses. When I look up from under the car, the pump is wet and a drop of fluid was forming at the very bottom part. And coincidentally the fluid started to drip on the ground that same night. There appears to be no room to work around in there, how am I supposed to remove the pump? Also, what are my options? The pump is rather expensive…I was thinking of putting in some Lucas Oil power steering stop leak. I read around and many says it works…this is the first oil drip for the car after 150k miles and its driving me nuts.

Menasor

iTrader: (2)

I have been through 2 rear main seals in the last 6 months. How do you get them to seat properly?

jason_10

my VQ is leaking oil. but its not coming from the oil pan gasket. it seems to appear at the oil pump; the two hoses is where the leak appears to be coming from. are there oil seals installed there? how do you go about in replacing them? TIA

maximabebe

iTrader: (24)

The oil pressure switch in the rear of the pan has also been known to cause bushing failure if it is leaky.