When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Looks like you're right about the oil pan and the exhaust manifold studs. I see lot's of brake cleaner in your near future. The good news is, everything will be spotless once you are done with it. I used Permatex Ultra Black RTV sealant for the oil pan and have not had any leaks yet (knock on wood). You can also use it for where the thermostat water housing mates to the head if you're in a pinch.
I would really check that rear main seal and front main seal with a flashlight to see if it really isn't leaking. I didn't know that the exhaust manifold studs pass through oil galleys in the cylinder head, interesting...
Not to cause alarm, but that's what my timing belt looked like when I had a front main seal leak.
Your crank is not in TDC right now so you can't determine if the cams are off or not. Rotate the crank clockwise until the timing mark lines up and then you can see if the cam gears are out of timing.
-pal215
pal215, thank you so much for responding! I'm confused though, I thought the dowel pin on the crank was what you used to line up the crank with the "T" timing mark on the lower cover?
Again, thank you for posting that pic! On your pic, there is a white dot that is pointing southeast (down and to the right) of the dowel pin, almost like it's past the "T" mark on the lower cover. Is that the proper orientation?
The job of the dowel is to put the crank pully that drives your accessories in the right place so that the timing notch is properly positioned. There are two ways to set timing in TDC without pulling your #1 spark plug. The 1st and better way is to line up the following notches and arrow with those on the oil pump front case (see red circles):
The other way is done with a small notch on the top of your crank pully to the plastic timing belt lower cover. This method is not always clear. As for the white dot, forget it's there lol. I wouldn't depend on it for timing even if it does have a purpose.
If your cam gears don't line up with TDC marks on the valve cover even after your crank is lined up just like the picture, turn it another 360 degrees and check again. They will not line up in TDC through every full rotation.
The dowel pin actually only puts the crank pully that drives your accessories in the right place. There are two ways to tell timing. The 1st and better way is to line up the following notches and arrow with those on the oil pump front case (see red circles):
The other way is done with a small notch on the top of your crank pully to the plastic timing belt lower cover. This method is not always clear. As for the white dot, forget it's there lol. I wouldn't depend on it for timing even if it does have a purpose.
-pal215
Ah, thank you so much! Also, I will go ahead and order a new front main seal if yours was bad and it looked like my timing belt haha. Again, I really appreciate the responses!
Ah, thank you so much! Also, I will go ahead and order a new front main seal if yours was bad and it looked like my timing belt haha. Again, I really appreciate the responses!
A wise decision. If you decide to change the timing belt when you replace the Front main seal, shoot me a PM so I can give you some tips and tricks to make your life easier.
I hate to say this but it could be your oil galley plug. Those are sealed from the factory so if its a stock motor you can probably rule it out. I know engine builders often remove this plug to clean out the oil galley in the engine. If not resealed it leaks, I know, happen to me. It drips right down the flywheel and onto the cover plate.
I hate to say this but it could be your oil galley plug. Those are sealed from the factory so if its a stock motor you can probably rule it out. I know engine builders often remove this plug to clean out the oil galley in the engine. If not resealed it leaks, I know, happen to me. It drips right down the flywheel and onto the cover plate.
It could be, but again the oil seemed to be on the outside of the inspection plate, not the inside (that faces the inside of the transmission). But thank you for responding and you never know, that could be where some oil is leaking from.
You gotta love same day delivery from Amazon! I put in a relatively large order for OEM parts that are showing up tomorrow but these two showed up today!
I need a new light for the shop, especially something that doesn't get hot and I don't have to hold. This light is BRIGHT! The Permatex is for the exhaust manifold studs. I think it should work nicely on them.
Unfortunately, I'm working long hours at work this week and I have plans on Saturday to visit the in-laws so the Evo will have to wait until Sunday. Lame.
A wise decision. If you decide to change the timing belt when you replace the Front main seal, shoot me a PM so I can give you some tips and tricks to make your life easier.
-pal215
So,
can anyone take a look at the pics below and tell me that my front main seal is actually leaking? Those pictures were taken before I cleaned anything. Honestly, it doesn't appear to be leaking but because I already bought a new one, I am going to replace it. My concern is that if it is not the cause of the dirtiness around there, then what is it or could it be?
Another quick question. I purchased new valve stem seals because I am going to be swapping out the GSC cams, springs, and retainers with the stock stuff. However, the seals may have been replaced when the GSC cams were installed, and if they don't look damaged, should I bother replacing them? I doesn't seem particularly difficult but I hate replacing good parts especially when there is always the chance of me screwing up installing the new seals. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
can anyone take a look at the pics below and tell me that my front main seal is actually leaking? Those pictures were taken before I cleaned anything. Honestly, it doesn't appear to be leaking but because I already bought a new one, I am going to replace it. My concern is that if it is not the cause of the dirtiness around there, then what is it or could it be?
Thanks in advance!
It actually does not look like your front main seal is leaking from that picture. As the timing belt wears, you can get a faint black residue that comes off of it, but not like what we are seeing here. That's grime at the bottom of your front case. Is it possible for all that to get past the timing belt cover? It should be fairly weather tight. Is that oil under the lowest CPS bolt ? I hope it's not the oil pump gear seal.
It actually does not look like your front main seal is leaking from that picture. As the timing belt wears, you can get a faint black residue that comes off of it, but not like what we are seeing here. That's grime at the bottom of your front case. Is it possible for all that to get past the timing belt cover? It should be fairly weather tight. Is that oil under the lowest CPS bolt ? I hope it's not the oil pump gear seal.
-pal215
I'm thinking it might be coming from the balance shaft seal, or possibly even further up on the motor? Perhaps a cam seal or valve cover was leaking and it leaked down and collected at the bottom there? I'm not sure what to do.
I know your taking the car apart right now but part of your issue with the cams could be a bad tune. Just something to think about maybe with a better to it could fix it.
