Mk7 Oil Leak

[frostw]

Hi,

I have a mk7 2.4 RWD that has a (very) minor oil leak and I am trying to identify the source. Oil appears to emanate from the right side of the engine (looking from the front of the engine bay) and runs down to drip from the bottom of the transmission case. At least I think that is the source. Here are a couple of pics.

Any ideas?

[trnx]

The L and R of a vehicle/eng is determined from the drivers position looking to the front, not from the front of the vehicle whilst looking at it.
So the images are from the LHS of the vehicle/eng'.
The top image is from the bell housing - likely crank seal or and (clutch actuator/slave if the vehicle is an E5).
The lower image could be oil blown back from the oil cooler/filter housing - there is a seal between the unit and the block.
Neither are of much concern - they shall worsen over time.

[knobby1]

Hi,

I have a mk7 2.4 RWD that has a (very) minor oil leak and I am trying to identify the source. Oil appears to emanate from the right side of the engine (looking from the front of the engine bay) and runs down to drip from the bottom of the transmission case. At least I think that is the source. Here are a couple of pics.

Any ideas?

Could be "blowback" from the vacuum pump/water pump interface gasket, very common for them to leak. Failing that, the oil cooler or it's seal to the block may be failing.

There's also a gasket between the main block and "mid-sump"...possibly leaking from that, but this is rare.

Lord Knobrot (Smithy)

[frostw]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The L and R of a vehicle/eng is determined from the drivers position looking to the front, not from the front of the vehicle whilst looking at it.
So the images are from the LHS of the vehicle/eng'.

Noted

The top image is from the bell housing - likely crank seal or and (clutch actuator/slave if the vehicle is an E5).

I'm hoping it isn't that as I understand that is a big job to fix? Reason I didn't think that might be the cause is because the leak on the bell housing only appears to be on one side - as if oil is leaking somewhere external and then running down the crack between the housing and the block on the left hand side. Maybe just wishful thinking?!

Could be "blowback" from the vacuum pump/water pump interface gasket, very common for them to leak. Failing that, the oil cooler or it's seal to the block may be failing.

Are these relatively straightforward to rectify. Reason I ask is I'm finding it impossible to even find a mechanic here on the NSW Central Coast who's willing to have a look at it. So, I am thinking I will have to have a go at it myself!

[knobby1]

Could be "blowback" from the vacuum pump/water pump interface gasket, very common for them to leak. Failing that, the oil cooler or it's seal to the block may be failing.

Are these relatively straightforward to rectify. Reason I ask is I'm finding it impossible to even find a mechanic here on the NSW Central Coast who's willing to have a look at it. So, I am thinking I will have to have a go at it myself!

Vacuum pump gasket and oil cooler seal is a relatively easy thing to sort...

You need to isolate exactly where the oil is coming from rather than a guessing.

Clean the suspect area down with degreaser, hose of the excess and let it dry....take it for a good 10-20km run and the oil leak should become obvious.

Vac pump and water pump are left side of engine driven by the serpentine belt, the A/C compressor will be lower left if fitted. There is a steel shim type gasket which is notorious for leaking oil between the water pump and vac pump....relatively easy to sort, vac pump shaft seal is known to leak also.

Oil cooler is essentially just bolted to the side of the lower left of the engine behind the A/C compressor, they have a rubber seal/gasket which may need replacing....many of us just replace the whole oil cooler assy with a new type with a metal spin-on oil filter...easy to do and cheap for what they are.

Finding a mechanic anywhere these days who is willing to work on anything more than 10 years old is becoming increasingly difficult. All the proper old scholl guys are either retired or dead. The very young ones aren't really "mechanics" like the old school guys, they're just taught to replace things rather than repair....most things on new vehicles aren't easily repairable anyway.

I'm up north of Brisbane.

Lord Knobrot (Smithy).

[frostw]

Could be "blowback" from the vacuum pump/water pump interface gasket, very common for them to leak. Failing that, the oil cooler or it's seal to the block may be failing.

Are these relatively straightforward to rectify. Reason I ask is I'm finding it impossible to even find a mechanic here on the NSW Central Coast who's willing to have a look at it. So, I am thinking I will have to have a go at it myself!

Vacuum pump gasket and oil cooler seal is a relatively easy thing to sort...

You need to isolate exactly where the oil is coming from rather than a guessing.

Clean the suspect area down with degreaser, hose of the excess and let it dry....take it for a good 10-20km run and the oil leak should become obvious.

Yeah, did that. The two pictures above are the result. Access is very hard though to pinpoint the source.

Finding a mechanic anywhere these days who is willing to work on anything more than 10 years old is becoming increasingly difficult. All the proper old scholl guys are either retired or dead. The very young ones aren't really "mechanics" like the old school guys, they're just taught to replace things rather than repair....most things on new vehicles aren't easily repairable anyway.

I'm up north of Brisbane.

Lord Knobrot (Smithy).

Looks like I might have to have a go myself then!

[trnx]

Yeah, did that. The two pictures above are the result. Access is very hard though to pinpoint the source.

You may need to do it several times - as suggested - access gets a bit easier each time - can use fu fu powder or the like to help find the leak source.
Don't use baby powder - not good smell. A small hand held squeeze puff is of use. Other well scented powders can attract some, maybe to your liking, to your van's presence.

[frostw]

Another quick question. On this page, a gasket is shown for the oil cooler

https://www.fordtransitparts.com.au/pro ... cd3c&_ss=r

However, the cooler itself seems to have just the o-ring type gasket

https://www.fordtransitparts.com.au/pro ... cd3c&_ss=r

My understanding (from googling) is that the metal gasket is for older paper filter style housing and the o-ring is used on the newer screw in cooler type. However, I watched a video of a chap fixing a leaking paper filter style cooler and he only replaced an o-ring - no mention of a metal gasket

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TUpfo-RTYI

Confused!

[trnx]

Don't know what the diff is except one is metal and one is a type of rubber, pos' neoprene.
Seems they are for the same two faces with the same oil ways.
The Auto buddy vid is very well presented.

Access can be a major - easy or difficult. My van is on planks which are about 14 inches above the ground on which I lay - getting things the right height to reach and see can be difficult. It is noticeable to me that the modern vehicles are made to be worked on using an hydraulic lift. The lift gets the vehicle to the required height.
Getting the block face clean is very difficult when you are not in the right position.

DIY is taking your time - having a few practice runs - check that you can do whatever is required before ending up in a mess.

Being under and doing was never much of a problem yrs ago but since I was about 69 yrs old I find there's things I can't do anymore with ease. Laying on my back turning, seeing, reaching etc etc are a few of many. Be prepared is a way instead of being stuck when under.

[trnx]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AUOXaHW47o Good Scotish sound.