When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I can't seem to find where this oil leak is coming from. Anyone have any idea based on the pics? There isn't a main spot I can see until I can get it up in the air to get a better look. Turbo side by oil dipstick Backside of engine Directly in the middle there are 2 oil spots
Can I see that without taking off the heatshield or should I just take it off anyway to get a good look?
You don't need to remove the heatshield. The connection at the turbo is visible without removing any parts. The other end of the line where it attaches to the cylinder head you can see if you use one of those mirrors with the expandable handles that you can pick up for a few dollars from the auto parts store. My gut feeling is your issue is probably the rear of the valve cover or the oil filter housing. Remove the underbody tray and look at the start motor on the lefthand side of the vehicle. Oil on the starter is a pretty conclusive sign that the old filter housing is leaking. But, just to make sure it's not the valve cover gasket, clean the area thoroughly then look at it again in a couple of days. If you have drips, the source will be obvious after the cleaning.
Awesome, I will check those things out and clean it up tonight. There seems to be a lot of oil around where the oil filter housing is so I'm leaning more towards it being that but we will see. Thank you for the advice it's extremely helpful!
Awesome, I will check those things out and clean it up tonight. There seems to be a lot of oil around where the oil filter housing is so I'm leaning more towards it being that but we will see. Thank you for the advice it's extremely helpful!
I also agree with alynch. Likely going to be the turbo line or the oil filter housing. If it is deemed to be your valve cover gasket, I would replace it with a brand new VC and new gaskets.
I just replaced the oil filter housing, it was a pretty involved job but totally do-able. If it's the oil filter housing you would have a stream of oil on the driver side dripping down from above and below the starter.
You should double check you aren't experiencing the common crankcase pressure issue. That will amplify your oil leaks. Easy way to check is to unscrew your oil fill cap and let it rest over the fill hole at idle. If it is not sucked in and its bobbling and hopping around, your PCV system is not working correctly.
Based on the posted pics, the oil leak might be seeping out of the oil filter housing. OTOH, the turbo oil pipeline is located more towards the front of the engine block. But it certainly won't hurt to inspect it.
Mine is not leaking oil but I did perform the manufacturer TSB LI09.40-P-055396 with the guidance from the below link.
I also agree with alynch. Likely going to be the turbo line or the oil filter housing. If it is deemed to be your valve cover gasket, I would replace it with a brand new VC and new gaskets.
I just replaced the oil filter housing, it was a pretty involved job but totally do-able. If it's the oil filter housing you would have a stream of oil on the driver side dripping down from above and below the starter.
You should double check you aren't experiencing the common crankcase pressure issue. That will amplify your oil leaks. Easy way to check is to unscrew your oil fill cap and let it rest over the fill hole at idle. If it is not sucked in and its bobbling and hopping around, your PCV system is not working correctly.
Keep us posted!
Ant
I did the oil fill cap test and it bounced around like crazy which I had a good feeling would happen since my oil smells a lot like gasoline. Do you know if it's just the pcv valve I need to replace or are there other parts of the pcv system I need to replace?
I did the oil fill cap test and it bounced around like crazy which I had a good feeling would happen since my oil smells a lot like gasoline. Do you know if it's just the pcv valve I need to replace or are there other parts of the pcv system I need to replace?
So there's 2 PCV systems on our cars. High pressure PCV and low pressure PCV. Is the easiest way to explain them.
The high pressure one (built into the valve cover) and low end (vacuum lines and check valve that run under intake manifold and into the engine block on driver's side)
If your oil cap is hopping around like crazy (mine did too) you need to replace the valve cover with a new one.
You should check out the threads and videos others and I posted on this topic in our w204 forum. I've uploaded pics and vids. Also posted vids to my YouTube showing the inside of the OEM plastic valve cover. I cut it open to see what was in there and what failed.
Since I suspect you have the oil filter housing leak, and if you're going to tackle the job yourself, buy the low end PCV vacuum line kit from Autohaus AZ. You need to remove the intake manifold to gain access to the OFH. The low end PCV is connected to the intake manifold and is right there. Just replace it while you have it all out.
I first replaced the low end PCV (before I knew there were 2 parts to it) and it didn't fix my problem. So I replaced the valve cover and it fixed my issue.
Long winded response but it sounds like You're in the same position I was in a month ago. Leaking oil and excessive crankcase pressure.
You planning on doing this work yourself? I can tell you what parts to get and links to them. Few different options for valve covers also. But I highly recommend you check out our threads, loads of info. In our threads.
I did the oil fill cap test and it bounced around like crazy which I had a good feeling would happen since my oil smells a lot like gasoline. Do you know if it's just the pcv valve I need to replace or are there other parts of the pcv system I need to replace?
So there's 2 PCV systems on our cars. High pressure PCV and low pressure PCV. Is the easiest way to explain them.
The high pressure one (built into the valve cover) and low end (vacuum lines and check valve that run under intake manifold and into the engine block on driver's side)
If your oil cap is hopping around like crazy (mine did too) you need to replace the valve cover with a new one.
You should check out the threads and videos others and I posted on this topic in our w204 forum. I've uploaded pics and vids. Also posted vids to my YouTube showing the inside of the OEM plastic valve cover. I cut it open to see what was in there and what failed.
Since I suspect you have the oil filter housing leak, and if you're going to tackle the job yourself, buy the low end PCV vacuum line kit from Autohaus AZ. You need to remove the intake manifold to gain access to the OFH. The low end PCV is connected to the intake manifold and is right there. Just replace it while you have it all out.
I first replaced the low end PCV (before I knew there were 2 parts to it) and it didn't fix my problem. So I replaced the valve cover and it fixed my issue.
Long winded response but it sounds like You're in the same position I was in a month ago. Leaking oil and excessive crankcase pressure.
You planning on doing this work yourself? I can tell you what parts to get and links to them. Few different options for valve covers also. But I highly recommend you check out our threads, loads of info. In our threads.
Ant
Yeah I plan on doing the work myself so any info on what parts to get would be hugely appreciated. Thank you for posting those links to the threads that helps me understand where everything I'm trying to fix is. Before that I had no clue what it looked like or where it was at all.
I would clean the engine then inspect everything, drive it around a bit then inspect everything again for fresh oil leaks. Start at the top of the engine and work your way down. Theres no mention of a check engine light on which is good.
Get a cheap UV flashlight and look around the engine. They are usually used to check for leaks when a UV dye is used but from my experience oil will glow light green on its own, im guessing because of the additives in it. I use Mobil1 0W40 and it may be different with other brand oil.
Yeah I plan on doing the work myself so any info on what parts to get would be hugely appreciated. Thank you for posting those links to the threads that helps me understand where everything I'm trying to fix is. Before that I had no clue what it looked like or where it was at all.
Yeah I plan on doing the work myself so any info on what parts to get would be hugely appreciated. Thank you for posting those links to the threads that helps me understand where everything I'm trying to fix is. Before that I had no clue what it looked like or where it was at all.
First isolate the oil leak before you take everything apart.
Make sure it's coming from the oil filter housing (driver side)
Or turbo line going into engine block (passenger side)
Yeah it's definitely coming from driver side and not the oil feed line but I think I'm going to update that banjo bolt anyway so it doesn't start leaking soon.
Any advice on aftermarket valve covers? I like the aluminum one you got so I think I'll go with that but I was wondering has anyone used any of the other aftermarket plastic ones?
Any advice on aftermarket valve covers? I like the aluminum one you got so I think I'll go with that but I was wondering has anyone used any of the other aftermarket plastic ones?
ALso, if your spark plugs and ignition coils are due for changing I would get the ignition service kit from FCP Euro. You need to take off the ignition coils to remove the valve cover so replace them then if needed.
Haven't heard anything on the other after market plastic VC's I took a gamble on the aluminum one and it worked out for me with some slight adjustments.
01-29-2024, 08:03 PM
