Oil on the top of the engine

copper · copper's Garage

Once I took my fan and housing off, I couldn't believe the amount of oil and sludge on the topside of the engine case under the shroud.

I know my crankcase breather is leaking, I am in the process of changing the gasket. Looks like the leaking oil is seeping down at the edge of the shroud nearby.

I was amazed however how much oil there was on the engine.(and leaking down below thanks to gravity) The oil covers the whole case top from front to back.

QUESTION:
Does it seem reasonable, that with this leak, the oil is being drawn away from below the breather and towards the fan and heater air outputs? This would explain why it's all over the place. Otherwise, I have bigger problems.

Thanks
Jim

Boss · 03-22-2005, 08:03 AM

From the volume of oil, I would be thinking thermostat o-ring or the sender next to it. It would probably be smart to at least do the o-ring while you have access to it, unless it is new.

In any case this will give you a bump and maybe some more responses.

BK911 · BK911's Garage

My guess is the sender. A leak there could cause oil to squirt all over the place. On MFI cars, I've seen the MFI pump mounting plate filled with oil.

At least you found it. One of my cars had a leak there. But thanks to gravity, the PO thought the case was leaking at the seam. Funny how stripping out two case bolts and a couple tubes of JB Weld didn't solve the problem. All it took was ~1/8 turn on the sender.

dwightp · 03-22-2005, 09:30 AM

What these guys said. + I'll share one of my gotcha's.

I had a similar oil leak in that area. I had removed the hose from the oil tank to the intake manifold due to an independent throttle body installation. I had simply place a rag (not folded over) over the oil tank vent temporarily for first installed start/warmup and zip tied it around the neck. My mechanic said the gasket was leaking and recommended I remove the rag or take off the oil cap. That was it, not enough freedom for crankcase airflow. Pressure built and blew air (with oil) by the gasket. Sooo, you might want to make sure you have no other restrictions in your crankcase vent system.

copper · copper's Garage

I'll give the sender a little snugging up.

Now, about the oil and sludge. Am I alright to spray some degreaser in there and then rinse it off with water? As long as I've secured the alt. electrical.

Jim

jlex · jlex's Garage

It was the sender that was leaking on my '85 carrera & it wasn't the gasket, either. It was the seam on the sender that was bad... was luckily able to replace it without dropping the engine or anything weird (removed filter & airbox only). Dry as a bone, now. Thank God it wasn't the gasket on the oil cooler. Just clean things up real well & you'll see where its leaking.
regards,
jlex.

Crachian · 03-22-2005, 01:40 PM

This was the pressure sender, the thermostat, and the biggest leaker was the MFI oil line.

Don't forget to order new sealing rings

AFTER:

copper · copper's Garage

Okay, I thought mine was bad but that looks like it was taking on a life of it's own...

How did you clean it?

Thoughts on spraying engine degreaser, using a brass brush and water rinse?

I checked both nuts on my sender. They're tight. I'll have to clean it up and see how that goes. I've replaced the breather gasket, and I'm still trying to get the thermostat out to do the o-ring.

Jim

tswaney · tswaney's Garage

Jim, Did you ever get the thermostat o-ring out? I'm doing the same seals as you and can't get that sucker to budge and fear jamming a screwdriver in there to pry it up.

copper · copper's Garage

Got it. Took a little play. and I did end up doing a bit of chipping around the edge... But I figured it out by the end that I was able to put it in and out a couple times.

One of the screwdrivers I have has a small curved end like the claw on a hammer. Just not as rounded. This was sufficient to get under and spread out the prying pressure. You have to go to the center and give it a little, then the sides by the bolts, and alternate so it will wiggle up.

Jim

randywebb · 04-01-2005, 10:08 AM

Wipe as much as you can off.

Then get a midget from work-release....

IF there is a leak where stuff goes out - then stuff can go in, right? So be careful. I'd try to use a shop vac or anything to pull things out before I sprayed stuff in. Maybe chg the oil after you clean it up by spraying.

Crachian · 04-02-2005, 05:33 AM

I used a plastic scraper and shop vac to remove the caked on crud. Then detergent, toothbrush, brass brush, and water. Took some time and I know I didn't get it all.

My thermostat came out the same way -- wiggling, a few taps with a screwdriver handle, and finally a big adjustable wrench with tape on the jaws to pull it straight up. You may want to try a hard plastic wedge instead of a scredriver if you're going to pry.