So we got my buddy's car started tonight. Brand new curt brown 2.3l, new front case, new oil pump, balance shafts removed. Car started and was running. We were letting it warm up to check for leaks. After about 5 min of idling, there was a small leak from the bottom of the timing cover. So I took everything off to inspect.

The seal on the oil pump shaft is leaking....this is a brand new oem part with 5 min of runtime. The pump shaft had no play that I could tell, no metal around as if the pump shaft was trying to walk around. I don't understand how a new pump with new seals and all can just start leaking.

Any ideas?

 

Seal was compromised on install. Replace and go again..

 

Faulty install. Easy to replace though!

 

I was relieved to see it was the seal, just has never happened to me with all the work I've done the last 10 years lol

 

Pitside had a similar issue. Ended up being the castle plug wasn't tight all the way.