New 2.3 build, with massive mystery oil leak.
#1
Evolving Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Charlottesville, Va
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New 2.3 build, with massive mystery oil leak.
Cliff notes that the bottom for those that don't want to read it all.
So I just finished putting everything together tonight on my MAP 2.3 and built head. Filled her up with fluids, loaded my old map but with fuel/timing tables I use on a friends 2.3 Evo. I primed the fuel and oil and started cranking. I cranked and cranked and wasn't getting anything. (I usually only run e85, but never really worked out the cold start tuning on my car. It's in the 40's here tonight.)
I went to take a look around the bay, to quadruple check that I hadn't missed anything and noticed oil dropping down under the car. It appeared to be coming from behind the flywheel housing cover. Possibilities:
1. I'd love for it to be the oil pan as that wouldn't require removing the transmission and such, but since the oil looks like it's behind the cover, it can't be the pan right?
2. I followed the service manual's instructions for applying sealant to the rear oil seal's case, so I don't think it's that either.
3. I didn't have a press to put the rear seal in its case. Funny enough, I used an old broken STi piston that was the same diameter. I used that and a vice and thought I had pressed the seal flush and in all the way.
Took this pic before I pressed it in by the way.
What I'm asking of you guys is for opinions and/or advice before I go and rip everything back out.
Cliff notes:
-big oil leak after putting motor together, appears to be behind flywheel housing cover.
-suspecting the rear (transmission side) oil seal.
-opinions/advice before I tear everything apart to get to it?
Thanks guys.
-Justin
So I just finished putting everything together tonight on my MAP 2.3 and built head. Filled her up with fluids, loaded my old map but with fuel/timing tables I use on a friends 2.3 Evo. I primed the fuel and oil and started cranking. I cranked and cranked and wasn't getting anything. (I usually only run e85, but never really worked out the cold start tuning on my car. It's in the 40's here tonight.)
I went to take a look around the bay, to quadruple check that I hadn't missed anything and noticed oil dropping down under the car. It appeared to be coming from behind the flywheel housing cover. Possibilities:
1. I'd love for it to be the oil pan as that wouldn't require removing the transmission and such, but since the oil looks like it's behind the cover, it can't be the pan right?
2. I followed the service manual's instructions for applying sealant to the rear oil seal's case, so I don't think it's that either.
3. I didn't have a press to put the rear seal in its case. Funny enough, I used an old broken STi piston that was the same diameter. I used that and a vice and thought I had pressed the seal flush and in all the way.
Took this pic before I pressed it in by the way.
What I'm asking of you guys is for opinions and/or advice before I go and rip everything back out.
Cliff notes:
-big oil leak after putting motor together, appears to be behind flywheel housing cover.
-suspecting the rear (transmission side) oil seal.
-opinions/advice before I tear everything apart to get to it?
Thanks guys.
-Justin
#2
Evolving Member
iTrader: (7)
I'm not trying to question your build, but did you use a gasket between the carrier and the block? Your "press" method of the spring seal should be fine as long as it was straight and true.
EDIT: Lol there it is in the picture on the left! I guess you did heh. Maybe it cracked? Make sure to check everything above the transmission too although there isn't much that would seep enough oil through the transmission that isn't major. Good luck man.
EDIT: Lol there it is in the picture on the left! I guess you did heh. Maybe it cracked? Make sure to check everything above the transmission too although there isn't much that would seep enough oil through the transmission that isn't major. Good luck man.
Last edited by evoredy; Nov 10, 2011 at 04:36 AM. Reason: LOL
#4
Evolving Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Charlottesville, Va
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not trying to question your build, but did you use a gasket between the carrier and the block? Your "press" method of the spring seal should be fine as long as it was straight and true.
EDIT: Lol there it is in the picture on the left! I guess you did heh. Maybe it cracked? Make sure to check everything above the transmission too although there isn't much that would seep enough oil through the transmission that isn't major. Good luck man.
EDIT: Lol there it is in the picture on the left! I guess you did heh. Maybe it cracked? Make sure to check everything above the transmission too although there isn't much that would seep enough oil through the transmission that isn't major. Good luck man.
On that side of the engine I can't think of any oil passages above the oil seal case that aren't covered up by the transmission. I can obviously see where the head/block mate and the valve cover and that's not leaking.
I'd love for it to be that simple, but for the volume of oil that was coming out the leak would have to be pretty significant there. I feel like if it was that bad the oil would be shooting out the back and onto the firewall.
#5
Evolving Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Charlottesville, Va
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well you piqued my curiousity so I had to go out to the car and check. Unfortunately, not as simple as a leaky sending unit.
I did however take a closer look at the trail. If the rear seal is leaking, it's leaking towards the backside of the motor. I'll double check the oil pan in that spot, as there's a lot of oil right there. (Wouldn't the oil pan leak as soon as I filled the engine with oil?) I'll have to clean things up and try starting the engine one more time and have someone watch where it's coming from.
I did however take a closer look at the trail. If the rear seal is leaking, it's leaking towards the backside of the motor. I'll double check the oil pan in that spot, as there's a lot of oil right there. (Wouldn't the oil pan leak as soon as I filled the engine with oil?) I'll have to clean things up and try starting the engine one more time and have someone watch where it's coming from.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
real fast
For Sale/WTB - Engine / Drivetrain / Power
0
Feb 9, 2016 06:59 PM