Can Oppo help me identify an oil leak?

"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-) 04/22/2017 at 16:34 • Filed to: None

0

19

I’d have a picture of a Challenger Limo for your time, but my stupid, cheap, Chinese dash cam didn’t record that leg of my journey. I’ll look through it later, might of just placed it out of order.

Anyways, So my Integra has been burning/leaking about a quart of oil month since I’ve had it. Which can mostly be attributed to leaking valve guides. However recently it’s bumped up to a quart every week or two.

I’ve identified the cam seal leaking, but there the issue of there being oil underneath the exhaust manifold, but that too could be attributed to the cam seal.
The puzzler is there’s oil leaking on the on the front driver side of the engine, near the power steering pump. The valve covers aren’t leaking there and neither is the PS pump or hoses leaking (and the PS is working fine too.) It’s also the side with the timing belt, but I couldn’t find any oil coming from the timing belt cover.

The only thing I could think of is a head gasket, I’ve never had a bad one, but I’d imagine a HG could leak oil onto the outside of the block without mixing coolant and oil (both oil and coolant are the proper colors.)

What does Oppo think?

The suspect cam seal/plug

I forgot to mention, the valve cover are good all around, but I’ll replace them anyway since there’s a little bit of oil getting into the spark pug holes.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 04/22/2017 at 16:42

1

I don’t see as much seepage as you’d hope... looks like you’re just burning the hell out of it.

My truck leaks oil like a child with a small bladder, but I only need to add a quart every three months...

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 04/22/2017 at 16:44

1

I am all for wrenching yourself, but holy shit you need to get this car to a mechanic that know what he is doing. For me, only somewhat catastrophic leaks can lead to so much lost oil, in such short time and I drive a leaky diesel Alfa Romeo...

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 04/22/2017 at 16:46

0

You can’t really see it in the pics because of the contrast the lighting makes, but it’s there. Not massive, but a thin layer across the whole front of the engine.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 04/22/2017 at 16:59

1

I invite anyone else to chime in, but in my experience rapid oil loss is typically from burning it, unless you have a loose drain plug or oil filter...

See this?

As bad as it looks, I’ve added 1/2 a quart in four months, and there are drops on the ground wherever I go...

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 04/22/2017 at 17:02

1

pretty sure your burning most the oil not leaking it. you would be leaving huge spots of oil everywhere you parked

benjrblant > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 04/22/2017 at 17:02

2

Mmmm. Looks like you also opted for the auto-replenishing anti-rust feature.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 04/22/2017 at 17:04

0

Good point. I guess I need to look up ways to test for valve guide/piston ring leaks :(

Would a compression test help identify anything or would the leaking oil “seal” the cylinder up?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > benjrblant 04/22/2017 at 17:04

0

“Would you like an undercoating for only $1,500?”

benjrblant > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 04/22/2017 at 17:05

0

1qt/mo? About how many miles is that? I recall seeing some really, REALLY surprising manufacturer specs that are within “normal” oil consumption. Like a quart every 1k miles or so? Looking for the reference, i’ll update if found.

benjrblant > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 04/22/2017 at 17:06

0

$1500 will get you a LOT of oil.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 04/22/2017 at 17:07

0

I have no idea there. You should check your spark plugs though...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > benjrblant 04/22/2017 at 17:13

1

And even some leftover for a Paseo

diplodicus forgot his password > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 04/22/2017 at 17:23

1

do a leakdown test if you can get your hands on the tools. Will tell you how well the cylinder holds compression vs a compression test which tells you how well the cylinder makes compression.

benjrblant > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 04/22/2017 at 17:30

0

Compression test wouldn’t be a bad idea. Could help ID worn rings. This is only if you suspect burning oil. Pulling the spark plugs for inspection would be a pretty easy giveaway if the oil is burning.

If you suspect a leak, wrap the electronics in the engine bay with plastic bags and gently wash out with a degreaser like simple green and some low pressure water. This would make it way easier to pinpoint a leak.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > benjrblant 04/22/2017 at 17:30

0

Is was a quarter a month, just no it jumped to a quart in about two weeks (I actually over filled it a tad then.) For mileage I’d say about 400 miles for the past two weeks.

benjrblant > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 04/22/2017 at 17:31

0

oof, that is quite a lot.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > diplodicus forgot his password 04/22/2017 at 17:31

0

I don’t have compressed air, but I’d image it wouldn’t be crazy expensive for a shop to do it.

diplodicus forgot his password > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 04/22/2017 at 17:39

0

Ya seems like it shouldn’t be more than an hour of labor.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > diplodicus forgot his password 04/22/2017 at 19:35

0

Four cylinder engines for the win!