This is my first time writing to the list (after almost 2 years of
reading) and I find it kind of funny to request help on something as
seemingly common as an oil leak especially with our cars. However, in
the last month I began to notice larger than usual "territorial
markings" as Greg P. fondly calls them. Then when my oil pressure
started acting funny and I found I was suddenly down 2 quarts I began to
get concerned. I filled the oil, power washed the engine, ran it for a
short while and parked it. The next day I found a large puddle of oil
looking to come from the rear lip of the pan, but the spot was too large
to really tell exactly where it started. Out with the Speedi Dry to
clean up and try again. This time I also took a hard look at the
recently cleaned engine. To my surprise (horror) I found lots of oil
forcing it's way out of the small breather hole in the cap of the alloy
valve cover and also out of the dip stick hole. Although the back of
the oil pan may leak, it also seems to be just the place where the oil
collects when the car is moving.
The recent thread on PCV valves making me wonder if I have some type of
internal pressure problem. I took apart the PCV valve (mine has the
spring in tact), cleaned it, and reassembled it although it looked fine
relative to the manual. I also did a compression check getting 140,
150, 140, 120 psi. I changed the head 2 years ago with a VB "No Lead"
head. Although #4 cylinder does seem a little suspect, I don't
understand the mechanism that would pressurize the crankcase and/or the
valve cover area. However, I could easily believe that something is
forcing the oil out to lose this much oil so quickly. At the rate I am
losing oil I am afraid to drive the car.
Has anyone out there experienced similar problems or more importantly
can anyone suggest a solution?
Thanks
Andy Amatruda
1967 TR4A IRS
Attleboro, MA
|