Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 23 June 2007, 21:55:46

Title: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 23 June 2007, 21:55:46
I'm looking into possibilities for where the oil is coming from. The oil is collecting on the top of the sump, and there is a fair amount on the ground behind the engine!!

To be methodical:

I have checked:

Cam Cover gaskets. Doesn't seem to be any external leaks in that area, plug wells are bone dry. Genuine GM gaskets recently fitted and breather squeaky clean.

Crankshaft oil seal. I had a good look in this area when I pulled the cambelt off...  and it didn't seem at all oily around this pulley, certainly not to the degree it's leaking.

Camshaft oil seals. Bone Dry.

Oil cooler to engine block unions. Bone Dry.

There is oil EVERYWHERE.. a large amount burning off the drivers site CAT. Bellhousing is caked in it. As is the crossmember. Sump gasket on a visual inspection doesn't appear to be leaking anywhere.

Oil filter - tight

Pressure switch at front of engine - changed it and it's washer.

All I can now think of, is - possibly one of the oil cooler unions in the V of the engine - plenum off tomorrow to check.

The only other thing I've noticed, is that the sump washer doesn't look correct, and oil is leaking from the sump plug at about 2 drips every 5 seconds. Collects quite a puddle after a while!! Obviously this needs fixing, but I wonder if it's the cause of the evils?? Only thing with that, is.. surely it wouldn't get onto the top of the sump that way...

Comments welcome :)

Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: TheBoy on 23 June 2007, 22:08:50
may blow back and up with the wind?
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: Dazzler on 23 June 2007, 22:27:23
Couldn't be that simple...........could it?????? that is a fare old leak rate you have there, total loss oil system, never need to actually change it ;)
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: wakeyomega on 23 June 2007, 22:41:11
Hi James
Now I know this is not an omega, but I have currently have a 1960 hillman minx that had a faulty sump plug washer - the oil blew 'everywhere' on a run, I assume when it gets hotter, it gets thinner, probably leaks more and the draught just takes it everywhere in fine droplets. If I was you, before doing anything drastic, I'd fix the washer, wash down and then check again.

Good Luck

Pat
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 23 June 2007, 23:04:34
Car has been parked for 5 mins after a run... and there is a humongous puddle, all from the sump plug....

 ::)
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: Dazzler on 23 June 2007, 23:15:54
After reading the original ad, i would say it should have said 1 litre of oil used per night with 0 miles.....
Fingers crossed for you matey..
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: x25xe on 23 June 2007, 23:19:54
Quote
I have currently have a 1960 hillman minx

Slightly off topic - sorry - but do you have any pics of the Minx?  I would be most interested in seeing them if you do.  Could you post them up perhaps?
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: Nickbat on 23 June 2007, 23:50:46
Quote
may blow back and up with the wind?

That's a good point, TB.

This thread is getting a bit too interesting, so let's change all that: ;)

Presumably, at speed, the air under the engine increases in pressure (hence the steering becomes lighter and the front of the car's natural tendency is to lift). This would then cause a minor venturi effect by sucking out air from the engine bay. Now, would that air be sucked out evenly from both the front and the back? I would guess that the fan's interraction would cause a circulation of up the back past the bellhousing and down the front by the rad - even though the rad creates hot air, the speed would negate its effect. This overall pattern could therefore cause any oil leak from the sump to be sucked up the back on to the bell housing.

Comments please from anyone that knows about physics.  ;D  
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 23 June 2007, 23:58:32
Quote
Quote
may blow back and up with the wind?

That's a good point, TB.

This thread is getting a bit too interesting, so let's change all that: ;)

Presumably, at speed, the air under the engine increases in pressure (hence the steering becomes lighter and the front of the car's natural tendency is to lift). This would then cause a minor venturi effect by sucking out air from the engine bay. Now, would that air be sucked out evenly from both the front and the back? I would guess that the fan's interraction would cause a circulation of up the back past the bellhousing and down the front by the rad - even though the rad creates hot air, the speed would negate its effect. This overall pattern could therefore cause any oil leak from the sump to be sucked up the back on to the bell housing.

Comments please from anyone that knows about physics.  ;D  

Yes i know all about it  ;D If its leaking from the sump washer James....Bl**dy change it.....and see if that fixes it  :y
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: CaptainZok on 24 June 2007, 00:07:59
Quote
Quote
Quote
may blow back and up with the wind?

That's a good point, TB.

This thread is getting a bit too interesting, so let's change all that: ;)

Presumably, at speed, the air under the engine increases in pressure (hence the steering becomes lighter and the front of the car's natural tendency is to lift). This would then cause a minor venturi effect by sucking out air from the engine bay. Now, would that air be sucked out evenly from both the front and the back? I would guess that the fan's interraction would cause a circulation of up the back past the bellhousing and down the front by the rad - even though the rad creates hot air, the speed would negate its effect. This overall pattern could therefore cause any oil leak from the sump to be sucked up the back on to the bell housing.

Comments please from anyone that knows about physics.  ;D  

Yes i know all about it  ;D If its leaking from the sump washer James....Bl**dy change it.....and see if that fixes it  :y
But that's just fault finding by substitution and Mark always bol**cks us for doing that.
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: Dave-C on 24 June 2007, 08:02:56
Quote
Quote
may blow back and up with the wind?

That's a good point, TB.

This thread is getting a bit too interesting, so let's change all that: ;)

Presumably, at speed, the air under the engine increases in pressure (hence the steering becomes lighter and the front of the car's natural tendency is to lift). This would then cause a minor venturi effect by sucking out air from the engine bay. Now, would that air be sucked out evenly from both the front and the back? I would guess that the fan's interraction would cause a circulation of up the back past the bellhousing and down the front by the rad - even though the rad creates hot air, the speed would negate its effect. This overall pattern could therefore cause any oil leak from the sump to be sucked up the back on to the bell housing.

Comments please from anyone that knows about physics.  ;D  

Most interesting!  Is this why Sir Issac Newton got bonked on the noggin by a falling apple then!!!  Ahhhh!  Sir Frank Whittle, the fundaments of the Jet Engine... Bloody informative site this...  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: Admin on 24 June 2007, 10:30:54
To quote Mark....

You fix the bl**dy obvious  first!  ;D

James. Change the oil (and the sump plug washer!).
Clean everything around there (again traffic film remover is good)

Run car and see what happens!
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: The Barge Captain on 24 June 2007, 13:25:23
Quote
may blow back and up with the wind?
Sounds embarasing  :-[
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: wakeyomega on 24 June 2007, 17:09:02
Quote
Posted by: x25xe Posted on: Yesterday at 23:19
Quote from wakeyomega on Yesterday at 22:41:
I have currently have a 1960 hillman minx
 
Slightly off topic - sorry - but do you have any pics of the Minx? I would be most interested in seeing them if you do.  Could you post them up perhaps?
 
I've popped one in the General Chat area (to save Admin moving it there!  ;) )

Pat
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: r.welfare on 24 June 2007, 17:52:27
Interesting.  I was told the sump plug washer was the right one, although it came from a factor rather than Vx.  When I last cleaned everything off and took the bagpipes/aux belt etc out (as we discussed), oil definitely appeared to be coming out from somewhere above and behind the alternator...
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: Matchless on 24 June 2007, 19:34:45
James, its very difficult to see oil leaking from the crank seal, but it seems to be a common cause of oil collecting on the front edge of the upper sump.
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 24 June 2007, 20:36:23
Quote
To quote Mark....

You fix the bl**dy obvious  first!  ;D

James. Change the oil (and the sump plug washer!).
Clean everything around there (again traffic film remover is good)

Run car and see what happens!

Oil and filter changed. Sump plug changed. The obvious leaks are now fixed.

Unfortunately, it' still collecting on the top of the sump, and leaking.

Looks like I need to do the crank seal. And I've heard horrible stories about that job...

:(

Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: Dazzler on 24 June 2007, 20:41:18
Cambelt back off again >:( sprocket off and in good old fashioned Haynes style......just prise out the oil seal and replace with new one ;)
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 24 June 2007, 20:43:55
Quote
Cambelt back off again >:( sprocket off and in good old fashioned Haynes style......just prise out the oil seal and replace with new one ;)


My concern is, how best to lock the engine in place, while undoing the pulley..
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: Dazzler on 24 June 2007, 20:47:58
Try undoing the center bolt while the cam belt is still on. In gear handbrake on etc...and a breaker bar from the top or an impact wrench (if enough access) and give it a go. If you can get someone on the footbrake as well even better ;)
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 24 June 2007, 21:09:06
Quote
Try undoing the center bolt while the cam belt is still on.

Never turn the engine anti-clockwise with the cambelt in place  :o
Title: Re: Source of oil leak - V6 Elite Estate
Post by: Dazzler on 24 June 2007, 21:27:24
Your not because its in gear with brakes on, so it hardly moves at all. If you not happy with that idea then remove the starter motor and jam the flywheel.
Is there a timing hole or anything in the bell housing where you can see the flywheel?? If there is then lock the flywheel from that.