Oil Leak Not Intercooler

[ian122778]

I'm hoping someone can help me ascertain where i have an oil leak. I just did the intercooler repair, and from what I can see the oil is not coming from there. There are a couple of tubes that seem to be leaking, and I have oil spots all over the back of my car!

Here is a link to the album with a bunch of pictures. http://s534.photobucket.com/user/charhailt...ar%20oil%20leak

Is there any seals or anything that are known to go? Maybe something near the turbo? My car has 175,000 on it.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Edited June 26, 2014 by ian122778

[Leadwing]

Did you have a recent oil change? If so, was the proper amount added?That is an alternative thought, in case the leak doesn't turn out to be one of the tubes you mentioned.

[ian122778]

That's perfect thank you. Would I have a loss of power with any of that?

[smart142]

I would clean/shampoo back there and then it would make it easier to determine where it is leaking from.I've also seen the oil feed line corrode through.

[ian122778]

I cleaned it less than 2 weeks ago. The oil drips all the time, that picture was of a spot that my car was parked on for 3 hours. The hose you showed the picture of doesn't have a nylon tie on my car, it has what looks like a metal clip on it, definitely looks like it is leaking from both ends, any chance you know the part number for both pieces, the black rubber and the metal from the turbo? My car is creeping up on 200,000 and i have not had to take it to a dealer yet, i usually just dick around with it at home through the vast knowledge of everyone here, or I take it to a guy in Newmarket that deals with these vehicles. I understand that alot of parts are going to need to be replaced as i creep up to 200,00.oh, and no cel for that, just one for a siezed glow plug. I don't notice any power loss, but was hoping that by fixing it, maybe there would be more!!!

Edited June 27, 2014 by ian122778

[KurtMan]

My car was leaking from what looked like the drivers side axle seal so I replaced it on Friday only to find it's actually leaking from the the pipe that leads to the intercooler from the EGR mixing valve. The clip appears to be on correctly so my question to the experts is, does that pipe have a seal that may have deteriorated?You might want to check the spot I just mentioned Ian122778.

[KurtMan]

Thanks caddillacman!Does anyone know if I can get just the o-ring instead of buying the whole pipe from MB?

[Alex]

Engine silicone! It works wonders on those persistent tiny seeps. The hose that takes boost pressure to the wastegate actuator has been known to leak as well. Silicone that as well.

[KurtMan]

Are you talking about RTV sealant?

[ian122778]

Thought I would give a bit of an update. I went away and dropped my car off at a local mechanic. He replace my oil pan, was 250 total for oil pan install and engine shampoo. I still have some leaks, but nowhere near as a bad, I am going to try and take some pics of underneath this evening and see if I can see anything.

[ian122778]

I would be interested in more info on the engine silicone as week. What kind and where do I buy it? Are we talking jb weld?

Edited July 22, 2014 by ian122778

[dmoonen]

Belive he's talking about rtv silicone, commonly the black stuff I use just make sure it's oil resistant. http://m.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/permatex-b...l-0383717p.html

[Alex]

Yes, RTV silicone, several formulations for slightly different applications. Higher temperature, sensor safe, others. They're actually very similar, mostly it's marketing. Any of them are suitable.

[RobCDI]

I have a similar leak on the right side of the car, my leak looks like its coming from the bottom edge of the oil pan. I will try and clean it and have another look tomorrow.

 

Edit:

Its the oil sump gasket, instead of spending a few hours searching online and waiting 2 weeks for a gasket im going to take off the sump, clean it then use RTV sealant to reseal it. It should work out then i dont have to worry about leaving a black dot everywhere i park.

 

Edit 2:

It wasn't the oil sump gasket, it was the oil filter o-ring leaking. I put new oil in when i did the sum. Looks like i will have to do a new filter as well(for the new rubber o-ring)

Edited May 13, 2017 by RobCDI

[inno]

I've got oil leak problems too.  Was assuming it was the intercooler ($$) but it may be one of the other problems mentioned here.  It seems to be coming down from the very rear of the engine compartment, above the muffler, then running down one of the little rubber hoses.

 

What's the best way to do an engine shampoo job?  Any advice on products?

 

Thanks.

[RobCDI]

I just used a bucket of dish soap and water and a cheap dish sponge, then dried it off with kitchen towel. If you can park your car on level ground that will help a lot.

[inno]

On 5/25/2017 at 0:28 AM, RobCDI said:

I just used a bucket of dish soap and water and a cheap dish sponge, then dried it off with kitchen towel. If you can park your car on level ground that will help a lot.

 

How do you get the soap up into the all the little crevices and nooks and crannies above, from below the car?  Many of the spaces are too far up and small to get my hand with a sponge.

[tolsen]

I remove rear panels, bumper and even x-frame if necessary. Then spray on white spirit to soften the dirt and scrub off using plenty of elbow grease, hot soapy water and a washing up brush. 

Once most surfaces are sufficiently clean you can run engine at fast idle and easily identify where the oil is coming from. 

 

Typical oil leak points are:

Oil breather hose

Inlet ducting including inter cooler (will be oil from breather or turbo)

Turbo oil feed or return pipes

Drive shaft seals on transmission (note the oil will be red and not black)

Rocker cover

Timing cover and oil seal

 

When you are at it and in the right maintenance mood, why not also check out transmission wiring harness?  

Make sure it is properly clamped and not vibrating or chafing against anything. This is the most important maintenance on a Smart car, especially the diesel. 

 

[inno]

Thanks Tolsen!  I had to look up "white spirits"!  I see it is also known as paint thinner, turpentine, Varsol, etc.

 

Next I have to find out where the transmission wiring harness is...