Common oil leak on a 1994 MX-3 4cyl?

[JustAdam]

I just picked up this car, and it is leaking pretty bad, so I kinda doubt that its just a valve cover (but I guess it could be - only wishing though!) and I am wondering if there is something that is common on this car?
It seems as though it is leaking on the side with the trans, not the side with the belts.
I just washed it off, and took it for a little ride, I can take pics if I need to but I hope this is something fairly common - and I hope that I can do it in my garage - I hate paying people - lol

Hoping that someone here knows something - Please help!

BTW, I love this car - no matter what it is I will have it fixed, and then I will be doing some mods for sure. I have had some experience modding cars - take a look at my old Audi TT called Uneek - http://www.straightfocus.com/tt/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for your help!

Adam

[Ryan]

I guess your best friend will be a flashlight. common leaks - distributor is the main one. valvecover is next on the list, and after that... I don't know. Oil doesn't go external much

[JustAdam]

So on the distributor side, the only real place could be the distributor or the valve cover? WOW - are you sure? If so, that could be GREAT!

I am sure I can do the valve cover - easy peasie japaneeseeeee - but how hard is the distributor? Is there a write up anywhere with pics?

Thanks for your help!

[wytbishop]

The distributor just has an o-ring that seals the shaft in the head. O-ring dries out, shrinks, oil passes...pretty easy.

On the main page of MX-3.com which you can reach by clicking on the "Make a Donation" icon up top there, you will find a link to "Online Manuals" on the left column. There is a 92' and a 95' manual available for viewing. I usually use the 95' because the pages are sized to fit the screen better, but the 92' does have some interesting tidbits missing from the later manual.

The B6 Engine and Engine Electrical sections will be your friend in this situation.

[JustAdam]

Thanks a ton - this looks like its a fairly easy job, and now today I will be getting the O-ring and valve cover and call it a day - I hope!

I just hope this does it - there is oil all over my garage floor and that does not make me a happy guy - lol
Really I hope that you guys are right - just hoping there is no other places oil "could" come from - kinda looks like the bell housing on the trans is all wet, but probably coming from the top of the motor, and I really hope that you guys are right and its just from the distributor - Hoping for the best and Thanks again!

[JustAdam]

Just want to make sure I know what I am doing .....

Take out the 2 bolts that go into the head, obviously take off the wires and the cap, and then take out the distributor (noting its position) and take off the old O ring, install the new and throw it all back together - is that right?

Also, I did not find any torque specs - should I just tighten tight/snug? Should I use loctite?

I really just want to do this myself, no timing light but I might be able to borrow one from a friend - and I totally appreciate all of your worldly knowledge too - TIA!

[JustAdam]

Done! No leaks and it seems like I have a great car now!

/thread

[SuperK]

If you do have more oil leaking let us know.

Mine still leaked after a distributor o-ring and valve cover gasket change.

[JustAdam]

Actually, I think it is still leaking now, but in the next couple days I should have the valve cover done, and then I will re-spray it down and clean it all off, let it dry a day, and hopefully I will be done.

Why did yours still leak after doing the O-ring and the Valve cover - did you ever get it fixed?

If you do have more oil leaking let us know.

Mine still leaked after a distributor o-ring and valve cover gasket change.

[SuperK]

Does it look like it's leaking on the tranny bell housing?

If the oil isn't coming from the disty o-ring, which just clean up around the disty and see if it leaks oil...

... then it's MOST LIKELY...

... Ready for this?

You're going to love this:

Your head gasket.


There's an oil passage on the front drivers side of the block, which is quite close to the corner where the tranny housing is.
If the head gasket weakens, then it'll slowly leak. weak spot.

[JustAdam]

I am hoping that is NOT it - the oil is on top of that spot, at least I know for sure that the valve cover gasket needs to be done first, then I will re-re-clean it off and see what it looks like - pretty sure its just a valve cover though, no way oil is shooting up a foot into the air to cover the area thats wet from a head gasket - no way. At least I dont think its possible but after working on cars for the past 25 years, I guess it could happen - lol

I will reply to this thread once I get the valve cover done, and I will probably paint it black too since it will be off, and I might even snap a couple pics too!

[SuperK]

I'm not sure what you mean about oil shooting up a foot...

... but it's just the outer front corner of the head gasket that allows oil to pass.

You CAN remove the head in a parking lot if you so choose to do so. I've done it, and it took about two hours to replace the head gasket.

[JustAdam]

Well, I JUST got done with the valve cover, I will wait a couple days and report back and let you know that it is not leaking any longer (I hope)

Anyway, I met some really cool people (not in person, yet, but I will for sure!) through this forum, and I think I fixed my oil issue - so ... Thanks!

[JustAdam]

Actually met these people in person, and way cool too - these guys know some stuff!

And, the best news, no leakage from my car at all - totally dry every morning so far - wOOt!

Next up, I will take some pics and post them sometime soon!

Thanks for all the help