Engine mount failing - oil cooler leak etc!!

judderod · Post by **judderod** » Fri May 24, 2013 2:20 pm

Woo they look perfect. Nice find. Really interested to find our how these drive once fitted h10ndr!

h10ndr · Post by **h10ndr** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 12:05 am

Is this pic a good guide as to what the oil cooler leak looks like? This isn't my pic but it looks virtually identical to where I also have oil smeard on the back of my engine block. Its not obvious that any oil is leaking from the back of the oil filter. Its seems to be to the right of the oil filter only - nothing on the left side - weird?

Could this leak be from a rear cam seal above perhaps?

Funny how in this pic the rear engine mount bracket has its edge covered in oil too - just like mine was...

..and from another angle...

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 8:22 am

That second pic is looking from the drivers side of the centre beam, with the gearbox on the right and looking towards the front of the car, yes?
If so, as you say, I wouldn't expect to see oil over that side from an oil cooler leak. At least, it wasn't on mine... I'd expect to see it come straight down, or at least be evenly spread across the back of the engine rather than on one (and the opposite) side of the engine.

h10ndr · Post by **h10ndr** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:18 am

..yeah I'm not sure what angle the 2nd pic is taken from...(from a usa web site) but mine defo is like the top pic...

I think my cam seal behind the distributor is leak slightly - could the top pic be from this or defo the oil cooler? There is no drips on the bottom of the oil cooler but it does look "wet" to the right of it as in the pic..I'm thinking it more likely to be from the cam seal and running down...

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:41 am

It's very difficult to say really. It sounds a bit unlikely that it's the oil cooler, but can't be sure (could be leaking out that side?

)

I think in your case, the best bet would be to follow that advice we all hate to hear 'cause it's extra time/hassle... Clean it all up then closely monitor where it starts to appear from

I've done a couple of oil leaks on both my cars over the weekend.
One I was pretty sure of (oil cooler on the JDM) but the other one I just jumped in and started changing the easy bits (vtec spool valve seal) 'cause I didn't really know. Consequently I'm none the wiser on that as to whether I've fixed it or not

I did clean it all up well enough that if it isn't, I'll be able to tell the source now though.

judderod · Post by **judderod** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 9:43 am

^ yup.

Although you might as well replace that oil cooler ring while you're doing the rear engine mount. It's a very cheap part that's sure to go one day if you've never changed it.

h10ndr · Post by **h10ndr** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:10 pm

I agree. I've bought the o ring for the cooler already so might as well replace it. However, it looks a pig of a job working where there is little movement, and I suspect a lot of coolant will spill out once its unbolted.

Does the coolant need to be drained down before doing this job? Half empty would probably do it yes?

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:12 pm

No need to drain any coolant at all and it's possible to do it without getting messy (I did it on Saturday)

Couple of pics on profile thread here

Will add a couple more pics/useful bits of info to the write up we pinched from the Americans shortly...

EDIT:
Link fixed to the right post

Post by **vanzep** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 4:45 pm

i stuggled with getting the oil cooler oring to stay in place - garage put it up on ramp and did it in 5 mins.
but leak doesnt look like oil cooler to me but it always difficult to tell - normally you know the oil cooler o ring is away when you get oil dropping on the downpipe.
Best bit of advice when looking for oil leaks is start at the top and work your way down.

I found a link to all oil leaks on H22 - will find it and post it up.

Edit - here it is - im sure youve all seen it but its the best write up there is

http://www.preludepower.com/forums/show ... p?t=337508

h10ndr · Post by **h10ndr** » Mon Jun 10, 2013 2:35 pm

..slight update on this.

After buying a cam plug seal (billet alloy one from Tegiwa) in readiness, and an oil cooler o-ring, I tackled doing this at the weekend in the sunshine.

I re-inspected everything, and from what I can make out my rocker cover gasket was the big culprit here. There were no leaks from the cam seal, or from the vtec solenoid. So these jobs are on hold until I can prove they actually need doing.

I could see oil marks on the cover and seeping from around the whole rocker cover gasket really, but noticed nearly all 8 of the bolt/seals gaskets were wet and actually leaking, especially down the back of the engine. So I decided to follow the advice on here and start at the top and work down.

I've used the BGA gasket set I bought a while ago to replace everything including the spark plug seals and the 8 or so seal/washers, and the rocker gasket.

In the process of removing the cover I've chipped the paint off my lovely crinkle red paint

in a few places, but did manage to refit it all ok. Its a pitta of a job removing the cover with 1 pair of hands and a strut brace / ps line in the way, even harder to refit. (I should have removed the strut brace

)

Whilst having the rocker cover off, I checked the valve clearances very quickly with a 0.007in feeler guage on both intake and exhaust (rotating the engine over to align cams/pistons), and there were none very tight or very loose. Slight drag on all, so they are not far out if at all.

What I was pleased about is the cleanliness of the engine inside. It looks great, so the 3mth or 3000mile oil changes have all been worth it. The spark plugs were all similar in condition/colour and healthy too, so all the cylinders are running the same. I replaced the plugs with a used set of PZFR6-11 plugs I had found in good condition in my workshop(cellar) and she is running fine this morning.

The big job is the Hard Race engine mounts - which are booked in for Friday this week. I need to report the level of "vibrations" back here once fitted. Then I can think about getting my 60mm DC Sports / Decat / Kakimoto N1 exhaust fitted.