Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: zerokool on April 27, 2010, 01:59:55 PM

Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 27, 2010, 01:59:55 PM
Anyone ever have their timing cover seal leak and cause oil to burn on the exhaust manifolds or pipes? I have an oil leak that I myself couldn't tell where it was coming from even when I put the car on a lift. I just dropped it off and the mechanic says timing cover gasket. I don't wanna waste the money or my time to do it, if it doesn't need it. Anyone have a leak from there and it burn?
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: vinnietbird on April 27, 2010, 10:47:14 PM
I haven't,but if oil is leaking there,and getting blown back by the fan,it's possible.Also,check the valve cover gaskets,and intake manifold.Oil leaking from the front and rear of the intake is fairly common.You can take the car,cover the distributor,and steam clean the engine and watch for a leak yourself.It's hard to tell on a filthy engine.
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 28, 2010, 03:46:28 PM
I'm not sure what I'm gonna do. I have noticed a little bit of oil after I've driven somewhere that leaks out. I just need to ride around a bit, park it, and get under to find out for sure if that's it or not
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: vinnietbird on April 28, 2010, 06:20:32 PM
Like I said,clean it top to bottom,and slide a piece of clean cardboard under the engine when you get home and start checking for leaks.
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 29, 2010, 03:48:35 PM
Well the cardboard is under there now. Anything on the back of the motor that can leak onto the top of the transmission housing? I think I read something once about some valve getting clogged
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 29, 2010, 03:54:31 PM
I found on a mustang site what I may think it is. I'll have to mess with it this weekend, but i'm thinkin it's the pcv valve. Does that sound like something that can cause the oil burning on the exhaust and dripping all over the transmission housing?
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: hypostang on April 29, 2010, 04:01:48 PM
A clogged pcv can cause all sorts of problems , including what you are describing BUT replacing or cleaning it is only the first step
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 29, 2010, 04:11:25 PM
yea I figured it would be. I was messing with the car the other day and noticed a few things. If I let the car sit and idle for a long time it barely just barely smoke. If I sit in the drive way and rev it up a few times when it's warmed up and parked, it smokes a good bit
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: Kitz Kat on April 29, 2010, 04:17:00 PM
It would help to state what motor you have in it?. Could be anything. Without cleaning it and actually looking where it may be coming from you would be guessing.
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 29, 2010, 04:21:33 PM
5.0. I've sprayed it down before and wiped down everything underneath when I put it up on a lift. I just can't physically see anything leaking anywhere from the motor
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: Kitz Kat on April 29, 2010, 04:26:57 PM
Where on the pipes is it burning?
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 29, 2010, 04:30:08 PM
The smoke comes from under the side of the car close to the front of the doors and from the back side of the motor. I never see anything dripping onto the pipes but it seems like it's dripping onto the stock cats
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: Kitz Kat on April 29, 2010, 04:38:38 PM
Are you sure it's eng. and not trans.? The other option is to put some dye in and see where it's coming from. You can use a black light to help see it.
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 29, 2010, 04:39:57 PM
That's what a buddy and I talked about. I don't think that it is. Is it possible to have an oil leak out of the pcv valve location?
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 29, 2010, 04:59:13 PM
i'm at a loss with this. the back of the block is wet by the heads and the cardboard is looking like it's a rear main
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: Kitz Kat on April 29, 2010, 05:05:01 PM
Yes it is possible to be the pvc, the grommet that holds it may be dry and shot, "hopefully". The rear seal won't leak on top of the heads. The rear seal will leave a puddle every where you sit out of the bell housing. It could also be the intake leaking, At least you know where to start looking. Also remember you engine sits up in the front so it will leak toward the rear.
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: vinnietbird on April 29, 2010, 05:21:12 PM
Is it leaking from the back of the intake where it meets the block.A lot of intakes leak there.
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 29, 2010, 05:32:48 PM
so the car cooled down. moved the cardboard to get a clean spot. started it up, fine. took a flashlight to it and i can see where it's wet looking along the back part of the block and the trans tunnel. I messed with the throttle while watching with a flash light for anything. i can't see anything drip anywhere. i can hear it burning and the smoke is coming from the passenger side of the car for the most part. i can see it coming up from around the cat. i can't tell if it'shiznitting the crossover pipe or somewhere below the cat or because of free health care the government give me a little elf to put oil between the actual cat and the heat shield. So i looked at the cardboard. it's looking like it's in the center of the car, so now i'm thinking rear main. so.....short term fix IMO no crossover pipe, stop leak, and no parking on pavement at this house
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: Kitz Kat on April 29, 2010, 06:35:27 PM
0 KOOL. wtf.
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 29, 2010, 06:40:22 PM
lol well let me start with this......right now i have a brand new 2008 sentra specv with 9500 miles on i'm trying to sell before i lose my job. i needed to buy some cheap transportation till i know i'll get something steady, which led me to this car. i wasn't necessarily looking for a thunderbird. it just happened to be something i'd drive and was fairly cheap. so, until i know i have a steady job i can't really dump much money into this car
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: Kitz Kat on April 29, 2010, 06:48:12 PM
Sorry about the job, but you got a 20 something car. It will need some care. Either you make it work or someone else does, is up to you, Sometimes it's not money but time.
Title: oil leak and burning
Post by: zerokool on April 29, 2010, 06:51:45 PM
yea for sure. I def know about that. i was sportin in 84 lesabre in 05. I bought the car from lakenheath24. he pulled the motor and did a rear seal, pan gasket, and trans input shaft gasket. so he def did a lot of leg work. the car runs fine. it's a little cranky when it's cold but what old car isn't. the oil thing is just gonna have to wait i guess. i'll just have to check it a lot and keep some extra with me. it's just annoying to have it smoking at red lights