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YOUR RESEARCHDiagnose my oil Leak
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Replace however both
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
However both were changed (along with the clutch) less than 1000 miles ago by Box911.
Leading evidence: 'Replace however both' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'second leak is a spark-plug tube' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Repair theirs' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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15 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
911uk: 1 discussions
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Hello,
A cheeky request, but would appreciate thoughts on a couple of oil leaks I have spotted.
The first looks suspiciously like RMS or IMS seal. However both were changed (along with the clutch) less than 1000 miles ago by Box911.
I suspect the second leak is a spark-plug tube. tracing it up the engine, its coming from behind the heat-shield (difficult to see with the manifold and heat-shield in place).
Would welcome thoughts/advice.
The oil-level doesnt seem to be dropping at all. Have read that its best to leave RMS/IMS seals till the clutch needs doing (which wont be for a long while).
the patch of oil is where the engine and gearbox meets. IMS/RMS territory.
Can't see any other pics of the heatshields or spark plug areas to comment further. :dont know:
The first is RMS or IMS bearing cover. Take it back to whoever did the work!
The second, I dunno, could be plug tubes could be oil pressure sender etc.
At least you know there is oil in it.....
I wouldn't worry if the oil level is not dropping. If the oil is not dripping out i.e. its just causing dampness, its not a big deal on an old engine.
First picture is rms/ims and may well be they didnt clean out the bell houseing so its old oil from before the job was done .
Either way its not what i would call a leak .. its a sweat .
My scale is out of 5 so that would be a 1/5 .. 3 on the scale is a leak that doesnt need attention atm .. 4 is a drip forming whilst engine is running and 5 is the heavens have just opened .
Last pictures and again thats not really a leak , theres no evidence of oil actually dripping down from the pictures .. it seems to be old and again a sweat .
Thats not really plug tube area on the first picture .. more like a sensor ie cam or vario solinoid .
Plug tubes / seals and the oil tends to drip off the head .
You can spend money fixing both if you wish .. but i wouldn,t flag up either leak to a customer as needing attention from the pictures .
Thats brilliant, thanks Demort and Wasz....
As you say, more of a sweat.....neither had caused even a drip on the garage floor. I think i will clean it and see what happens......
1st picture as you mention, IMS/RMS, some people just aren't very good at fitting them.
2nd leak could be a spark plug tube but looks to far to the left/rear, I would assume variocam solenoid seal, I had a similar misting and it was that.
Really appreciate all the help - this forum is great.
Infrasilver - its interesting that you spotted its close to the rear. I noticed it looked wettest right at the back (left) - really tricky to see with the manifold etc when looking from below and too many hoses when trying to see from above.
Will get my endoscope out and see if that helps me localise it.
Have just googled variocam solenoid seal - doesnt look to tricky to do, if thats what turns out to be the issue.
Pull the heat shield and you'll probably see exactly where it's coming from. The air flow through the car will make it run to the rear and mist from its original location.
As its warmed up, I managed to get out in the garage and get the heatshield off to look at where the leak is coming from.
It doesnt seem to be from variocam solenoid seal, looks to be higher up, coming from the part coloured red on this diagram. Is this a common seal failure. Anyone had to repair theirs? (I havent worked out what part this is yet......
Air Oil Separator tube, it runs across the engine from the AOS on the opposite corner of the engine. It may be just the O ring on the pipe or where it connects into the engine, not too easy to get at but a cheap fix.
