Oil Leak - Cannot locate source

[Jimbob1979]

I have started to notice that my 2.5TD is leaking a little oil on the drive, probably no more that 10 drops every time i get home after driving it. I thought this may have been diesel as pump seals were leaking but i have replaced them and problem still there. Looking at the engine there is weeping round the rocker cover gasket and seems to be round the head gasket too but no contamination in the water and apart from a tiny bit of white smoke after starting when cold it seems to run fine and not noticeably loosing any quantity of oil.

When looking underneath i can always see a drip on the small rubber bung on the bottom where the gearbox connects to the engine.I took this off and it does seem that there is oil inside too but it is hard to tell where it is from. Does anyone know where this may be from or have any ideas where the leak could be originating from?

Thanks

[Northern Bongolow]

rear crank seal, and the top front engine leak may be the cam front seal.
what engine oil are you using please.

[Jimbob1979]

I am not sure what oil is in it at the moment as i bought it last summer and it had just been serviced but i was about to change it and have bought Triple QX 5w30 Semi Synthetic

[Northern Bongolow]

try putting the oil you have bought in then see how it goes. it may have thicker oil in it.

[Jimbob1979]

Ok. It was not serviced by a Bongo garage so there is a good chance it would have the standard 10W40 in it. I would have assumed that thinner oil would leak more?

[Northern Bongolow]

10w may be to thick for marginal seals imo, because when cold the pressure may be too high, then ease off when warmed. may also be mineral oil.

[Jimbob1979]

Thanks for your help. Fingers crossed!

[teenmal]

Hi Jimbob,if you suspect that the crankcase seals are leaking it would be worthwhile checking the breathers are clear
It should not matter what grade of engine oil you use,the crankcase should not be under any great pressure.

This stuff could also help.

http://www.forteuk.co.uk/product.php?id ... onditioner

Good luck.

[M 80NGO]

Got all the hall marks of the camshaft oil seal like mine had, £3 for the seal and about £200 of labour, get the cambelt changed at the same time

[Jimbob1979]

Thanks for the advice. I will give the seal conditioner a go, can't do any harm. Where about's are the breathers that could be blocked?

[Jimbob1979]

I had a further look into this today and took at panel off between the seats and it looks like the oil is actually originating from the back of the rocker cover and working it's way down the engine block. It is hard to see if it is leaking from the gasket or somewhere else. It is all over the air pipe behind as well and i cannot see how it could have traveled that far unless it was spraying from somewhere. Anyone have any suggestions on this? I am going to replace the rocker cover gasket anyway but i bought one recently that did not come with the bolt seals and i have been told it is not worth replacing it without them.

[Northern Bongolow]

if the rocker gasket is leaking. when you refit the new, or even the old one put some blue hylomar or suitable sealant over the hump at the front /forward end, it is the hump that houses the front cam seal. it will leak if you dont.

refit the old gasket if you need to by simply grinding a mm or 2 off the height of the tubes that space the gasket, this allows the gasket to be nipped down a tad tighter. dont overtighten them though, there is a torque setting somewhere.

i love a cheap fix meeeeeeeee.