how do i find out where the oil leak is?

Post by **AquaMan + kids** » 02 Aug 2007, 20:33

hi all

we seem to have an oil leak as whenever we go anywhere oil is splattered all up the back window.

It must only be a small leak as we don't seem to need to top up the oil very much but we do have a definate oily backside to our van after every journey.

So how do i find out where the oil is leaking from?

I thought i would degunk the engine and then see if i can see any obvious drips but any advice welcome.

thanks for any tips

helen

Post by **big red bus** » 02 Aug 2007, 20:58

do you have any drips when the van is parked? may be coming out of exhaust if splattered up back of van but this is only really applicable if turbo diesel. what engine is in your van? if you have any drips place a piece of clean cardboard underneath and this will at least help identify the area where the leak is.

Post by **AquaMan + kids** » 02 Aug 2007, 21:00

hi

its a dieasel 1600

it does drip when parked but not lots....

the carboard is a good idea but we park on a hill so i will need to find somewhere flat to park to get a true idea of where the leak is rather than where it rolls to..

thanks

helen

Post by **big red bus** » 02 Aug 2007, 22:20

o.k can only suggest then as you say oil gets splattered up the back that is is coming through exhasut when you are driving along. Check that the exhaust tail pipe to see if there is any trace of oil. Unable to think of any other suggestion as to why oil on back . for the engine leak. if you can locate the area it is coming from you can narrow down the things that it can be. try cleaning of the engine and then runnign it and looking to see where the oil runs from, front of engine, rear of engine, g/box. there really are loads of places for leaks but need to narrow down options.

Post by **AquaMan + kids** » 03 Aug 2007, 20:53

hi

thanks for your help, i will try and clean engine on monday and look for the leak. will let you know how i get on,

thanks again

helen

Post by **tonytone** » 03 Aug 2007, 21:58

I have a 1.6td. Oil up the back can be caused by a leak as the oil will leak down to the sump ( lowest point ) , it will then get blown or sucked off ( oooher! ) the sump and into the swirling air behind the camper and hence up the back. I had a oil pipe break that feeds the turbo and most of my engine oil ended up on the back door and glass of the van. Same happened when oil leaked from the gasket between the oil cooler and engine block, again, oil up the back door. Get under and look at the sump to see if there is a trail of leaked oil down the block and onto the bottom of the sump. Id think it unlikely its leaking via the exhaust tho and given the brick shape of the van there is alot of turbulence behind it when going along..

Post by **AquaMan + kids** » 06 Aug 2007, 13:40

Thanks tonetone for the reassurance. What you have described is what I have figured happens.

The next step is to locate where its coming from in the first place.

I'm going out right now to clean that damn engine and find it - wish me luck - I may be sometime!

Aquaman

Post by **maximus** » 06 Aug 2007, 21:30

The oil will leak more when it warms right up so may be a case of lying under the van
ALA. engine running and waiting

Post by **Mariner Man** » 07 Aug 2007, 12:02

Is the engine tray fitted, I had the same problem, and found it was a leak from the rear crankshaft oil seal which when stood collected on the tray, only a small amount, but when driven any distance splattered the back door. Also 1.6 deisel.

Post by **AquaMan + kids** » 07 Aug 2007, 13:02

Cleaned engine and found source of leak - looks like its coming from under the cylinder head cover, which I guess means its the head gasket.

Now I reckon I should be able to get a new gasket from any good motor shop, but is there anything I should know before I attempt to replace the gasket, which looks like a pretty straightforward job.

Presumably I don't need to drop the oil, as its at the top of the engine.

Aquaman

Post by **jamesc76** » 07 Aug 2007, 14:04

by cover you sure you dont mean rocker cover ????

Post by **AquaMan + kids** » 07 Aug 2007, 14:28

Well I guess I'm not really sure as I am a novice, but here's a link to the diagram of the cylinder head on vagcat. The oil is coming out from just about where the number 19 is pointing.

http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/vw/T2/1984/4/49/51396/

Also here's a link to some actual photos of the what I think is the head in my engine and an out of focus shot of me pointing to where the oil is coming from.

http://www.aquamandesign.co.uk/temporar ... shots.html

Further to this it seems that there are different thicknesses of gasket - so next question is how do you know which one you need?

Spoke to someone about 20 mins ago who looked a bit worried about me taking this job on - pointed out that the tension needs to be same all the way round - so I'm a little worried now - any comments welcomed.

Aquaman[/img]

Post by **jamesc76** » 07 Aug 2007, 14:42

thats the rocker cover gasket easy job on the vag cat page the head gasket is number 11 so you have no need to worry it would take you about 20 mins tops if you have never done this before !!

Post by **AquaMan + kids** » 07 Aug 2007, 17:12

Great!

Shall order the part and do the job.

Shall let you know how I get on.

Aquaman

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