I've just got an oil leak all of a sudden I did a track day on Wednesday, so not sure if this has anything to do with it?

It is more than a drip, and has created a bit of a puddle over a 3 hour period.

It seems to be coming from under the engine, around where the black plastic cam belt cover is if that makes sense. I cannot really see under the car though to check at the moment.

I don't think it is the rocker cover, as it seems further in the middle for that. It's not the oil filter as it's not as far over for that.

Any ideas where or why it could be leaking?


Cheers

 

Which model is it mate?
Reason i ask is i have a turbo 2000 that started this last week, mine's turned out to be the crankshaft front oil seal, behind the cam belt cover

 

2003, STI.

It's a new-ish engine really, as I had it rebuilt last July.

 

Thats a bit of a bugger then fella.
all you can do really is strip covers off and try and find what is happening.
Mine is only a fairly low drip, and then gets pushed backwards by the air travelling through the front of the car, so it goes all over the front lower coolant pipe, then all over the bottom of the air filter and sump,.

Washed it all off, then removed the front covers and ran it while watching and just watched it start to weep out of the seal

 

While it us being done whip oil pump off and check if the 5 screws that hold the oil pump back plate on are tight as they come loose and first sign is front crank oil seal leaking.leads to low oil pressure and fooked engine.

 

Nice one fella cheers for that

 

just done cambelt on my replacemant engine and found 3 screws loose.
a well respected scooby tuner advised me very common problem and overlooked by a lot of people.scary how loose they get.

 

Jeez, their hanging off

Guess what i'm doing tomorrow now

 

Cheers guys.

Is there anything specific (except oil pump) which is behind the cam belt covers which could cause the leak? Is it an easy fix?

I randomly saw a thread on the American forum saying it could be due to blocked breathers? And due to that the oil is forced out? Or is that crap?



Cheers

 

Main suspects around that area would be:
Front crank oil seal.
Cam seals.
Oil pressure switch.

Mick

 

Thanks Mick.

I've been at work all day today, and parked flat outside work there was NO oil leak at all.

But when I park at home, I am on a steep bank, with the front of the car at the lowest point. Why would it leak when it is like this, but not on the flat?


Thanks
Chris