Can fuel system/injector cleaner cause oil leaks?

[Huskymaniac]

I recently added redline SI-1 because my fuel/air mix was a little high so I wanted to see if it was a lightly clogged injector. I have no idea if it is related but I suddenly have a significant oil leak on the passenger side of my car (Subaru SVX). Everything was bone dry until very recently.

The additive could be a coincidence. But I was thinking that maybe some crud was cleaned off the valve cover gaskets exposing a leak. However, my oil dipstick is also popping up. That could be due to an old o-ring not keeping the stick from wiggling up from vibration or it could be due to excess pressure from a clogged PCV.

Thoughts?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Most likely it is not related. Very little if any of the SI-1 that you added to the fuel would find its way into the oil, unless you have some seriously leaking fuel injectors, in which case you have a much bigger issue on your hands.

Definitely check your PCV/CCV.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Agreed and the injectors didn't look to be leaking. Question, how much damage could a clogged PCV cause? Can it actually cause an old and weakened head gasket to start leaking? Or will it just push oil out of some breather holes?

 

[Quattro Pete]

From what I've read, a clogged PCV can definitely exacerbate leaks as it causes increased pressure in the system.

 

[rclint]

Skeptic here, I don't think the fuel injector cleaner is 100% unrelated to this oil leak.. I also doubt that a PCV issue would suddenly crop up causing this issue as well.

I think you have an oil leak that just cropped up, and like anyone your thinking could I have caused this in any way ?? the answer is most likely no way you could have caused it..by simply running a fuel injector cleaner, or a PCV valve suddenly gone bad.

 

[94MaxGXE]

I think you have a failed/blown/bad head gasket.
Good Info about Sabaru head gaskets -- Link

 

[Huskymaniac]

Originally Posted By: 94MaxGXE
I think you have a failed/blown/bad head gasket.
Good Info about Sabaru head gaskets -- Link


How do you get that from an external oil leak? An external coolant leak I can understand.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Originally Posted By: 94MaxGXE
I think you have a failed/blown/bad head gasket.
Good Info about Sabaru head gaskets -- Link


Leaking from a valve cover gasket is not the same as leaking from a head gasket.

 

[Eddie]

+1Huskymanic.

 

[mongo161]

IMO...if it was a very harsh and potent cleaner like Sea Foam, used excessively or in the wrong dose in the crankcase, Upper Cylinder or Fuel, I think it might cause you some problems. But a low steady dose of PEA Fuel System cleaner added to your gasoline, should not cause these problems.

 

[demarpaint]

I'd be willing to bet heavily it has nothing to do with the FI cleaner. Probably a bad VC gasket and a coincidence. These things happen.

 

[unDummy]

Completely unrelated.

 

[SuperFast]

+1 your gga with the cleaner in it (superdiluted) would have to blow by into yoru oil and somehow get through all the oil

that didnt happen.