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Old 13-03-2012, 06:39 PM   #1
luk3333
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Question Oil leak

My mazda 323 BJ 02 has been leaving little spots of oil on the driveway for the last couple of months. They have been progressively been getting bigger. All done the drive belt sode of the engine is a mess with oil being splattered from moving parts all around onto the alternator and air con piping.

Had a mechanic look at it and he said oil seals considering it has 120000kms and hasnt had oils seals and timing belt done. So i replaced both myself, and it still leaks oil. I thought it may have been a broken CV boot, but there is no oil on the boot compared to the block also it is definitely coming out of the block because ive noticed my oil level drop. Any one have any ideas?

I suspect I've got to change the water pump anyway as its making bad noises. Should've did it with timing but now I've learnt. While i have it apart if i still can't find the leak i'll take it into a mechanic but i'd really rather avoid that.

Looking for any suggestions or ideas, im completely stumped.
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Old 13-03-2012, 06:48 PM   #2
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why don't you clean your engine first, so you can see where the oil is coming from?

did you replace the rocker cover gasket too?
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Old 13-03-2012, 06:53 PM   #3
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I cleaned the engine before and tried to look, but i could see where it was coming from. I don't think its leaking from that high up in the bay, but it can't hurt i suppose to try that. Thanks
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Old 13-03-2012, 07:46 PM   #4
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is it coming out between the engine and gearbox?
and also CV shafts are full of grease and not oil so you will know if it is the CV with all that gunk splattered around the subframe and what not

Last edited by Styx; 13-03-2012 at 07:48 PM.
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Old 13-03-2012, 07:58 PM   #5
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Nah its on the other side of the engine, gearbox is clean as thank goodness :P
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Old 13-03-2012, 10:31 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by luk3333 View Post
Nah its on the other side of the engine, gearbox is clean as thank goodness :P
Hmm, thats pretty strange. You couldn't see the leak when you pulled the belt? My first thought would be crank seal, buts thats low down and wouldn't get everywhere.

If theres a lot of oil, potentially a cracked block but its unlikely. Have you got any photos?
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Old 13-03-2012, 10:57 PM   #7
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Check that you dont have a busted knock sensor and that oil isn't leaking from there. It is located above the oil filter.
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Old 15-03-2012, 06:03 PM   #8
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I know it is a bit simple, but when and if you changed the oil.. did you replace the aluminium or copper washer for the sump plug?
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Old 16-03-2012, 08:15 AM   #9
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How did you install the oil pump crank seal?

Pull out old one, push in new one?
-or-
Pull out old one, clean around inner edges, push in new one using flat round object?
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Old 29-03-2012, 05:47 PM   #10
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i changed the oil later, it definitely isn’t leaking that low. I’m pretty sure it must have been a dodgy valve cover gasket because when i took off the timing belt cover when changing the oil there was clean oil up the top, and got greasier down the bottom. So I’ve changed it and ill see how that goes.

When i changed the crankshaft oil seal i pulled it out and felt the around but it all felt quite clean and smooth. I pushed the new one in quite easily, and then pushed firmly all the way around with a wide flat blade screw driver.

When degreasing the block i think i may have gotten some degreaser in the alternator. Could that cause the plugs not to spark? (engine cranks fine, had to use a jump from a friend because my battery went flat but that due to an old battery) Because thats whats happening.. will it come right if i leave it to dry out?
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Old 29-03-2012, 06:10 PM   #11
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Pull plug leads out. You will have water in the bottom.
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Old 29-03-2012, 06:21 PM   #12
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did you replace the cam seals too? they can also be leaky
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Old 31-03-2012, 09:43 AM   #13
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Yea, i replace the cam seals too. Pulled out the coils and the was no water, just a little oil seepage. Pulled out plugs, wiped down all donnections still wont go. Could it be a damaged crank angle sensor from when i was stuffing around down there? Is the anyway to test of its broken or does anyone know how they work?
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Old 24-04-2012, 04:57 PM   #14
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btw got it going, was a loose crank angle sensor connection. Oil leak was the valve cover gasket, noob move for me.
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