Oil Leak

[badger05]

Looking for some help on pinpointing an oil leak. This is on my milan with the 3.0 duratec engine.

I noticed the pulley on the drivers side of engine that drives the waterpump had a light coating of oil on it about a week ago. I cleaned it off. Last night I checked it again and the oil coating is back and oil appears to be lightly "spraying" around from the pulley now. There's a line sprayed onto a nearby hose that is in line with the pulley.

Is there a seal for the camshaft that could be leaking? Just wondering if there are any common leak points for this engine. I will have more time this weekend to look at it and post some pictures.

This car has always been changed regularily with conventional. Was always taken to oil change places for the first 50k - who knows what they used, then I began changing it with 5w20 conventionals. This past fall I changed it with m1 0w20 before the cold winter. Could the m1 have done a little cleaning and caused this leak? The engine has always looked spotless through the filler hole and is at 75k now.

 

[stranger706]

That doesn't sound fun. I'd say the shaft seal is leaking. First thing I would do is try a high mileage oil. Lately there have been more 20 weight offerings in the high mileage version.

As for the M1 doing some cleaning, I'm sure it did but who knows if thats what caused the leak?

 

[Trav]

Maybe a stupid question but are you sure its oil and not coolant? Coolant can have a greasy oily feeling.

 

[threeputtpar]

When you say the driver's side, do you mean on the back of the cylinder head with a transvese mounted engine? If so, that is where the small pulley for the waterpump is mounted on the front bank camshaft. the belt is routed down to the external waterpump, and the bearing seal on the pump can and does leak. You should verify if it is really oil or coolant being flung around.

If the seal on the camshaft is leaking, it would not be spraying oil everywhere but would just drip oil down the side of the cylinder head.

 

[badger05]

Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
When you say the driver's side, do you mean on the back of the cylinder head with a transvese mounted engine?

Correct.

Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
If the seal on the camshaft is leaking, it would not be spraying oil everywhere but would just drip oil down the side of the cylinder head.

I have no clue, but you don't think the oil would travel along the camshaft & pulley as the engine operates?

The "mist" that's being sprayed is fairly minor at this point.. I haven't noticed the coolant or engine oil level drop, but there probably isn't enough leaking that I would even be able to tell. I tried to inspect the water pump for any seepage but it's tough to see down there. Didn't see anything obvious. I will give it a better inspection tomorrow or saturday and maybe remove the air intake if I need to see in there better.

Any other ways to help identify if it's oil or coolant? Thanks for the replies so far!

 

[threeputtpar]

Just the fact that you say it is a mist or spray type of leak probably means coolant because it is under 15psi when warm and any leak will spray instead of seep or dribble.

Pressure testing the cooling system should show if it is the water pump or not. I'd use the pressure tester whil the engine is running to best simulate the operating conditions. Autozone will lend you the tools.

 

[PandaBear]

Also are you sure it is not the power steering hose? Mine would spray a lot of oily substance only when it was turned to the "end" when it was leaking.

 

[jdawg89]

Just put some on your finger and lick it. Sweet = coolant