10 replies to this topic

[salesdeity]

I have always had some oil around the turbo. Now I have oil covering the back of the block from underneath the exhaust manifold down to the oil pan in a vertical area even with the turbo return line. I have changed the o-ring before and when I look at the pipe, there is oil on it but it is not coming from there.

When driving, wind will blow oil all around the engine bay. But what could be leaking on that part of the block under the exhaust manifold?

Please advise. Thanks.

[MadeInJapan]

Rear main seal?

[salesdeity]

Is the RMS a DIY job?

[erikv11]

Is the RMS a DIY job?

do a search - RMS is talked about here as the mother of all nasty jobs. an $11 part that will cost you $1000 at the shop or test all your skills and patience in the garage.

RMS leaks are common on these cars but you need to figure out exactly what is leaking. other turbo drivers may have suggestions, i know there are common leak spots. yours does not sound like RMS, that would be coming more from the rear (driver's side) of the engine. good luck -

[eldertec]

Oil Pooling under the Spark Plug cover?
I had plenty of Oil under...pooled up.
New Oil Filler Cap(comes with New gasket) did the trick!!

[peacexisxfree]

do a search - RMS is talked about here as the mother of all nasty jobs. an $11 part that will cost you $1000 at the shop or test all your skills and patience in the garage.

Seriously...

The rms CAN be a diy job, but if you don' have the right tools, you could be out there for days.

Edited by peacexisxfree, 13 March 2006 - 10:27 PM.

[salesdeity]

Anything else that should be changed while I'm in there doing the RMS?

Also, I have never cleaned PCV system. Are the RMS failure and this related?

[Gioseppe]

oil pump seal possibly.

also check the gasket at the bottom of the turbo.

[MadeInJapan]

Yep....never cleaning the pcv builds up positive pressure in the engine and is the cause of the RMS leak...that among other things, like age of the car, shape of the seal, etc. I just changed my pcv hoses and oil separator/trap. I'm hoping to ward off the RMS replacement for awhile.

[erikv11]

I have always had some oil around the turbo. Now I have oil covering the back of the block from underneath the exhaust manifold down to the oil pan in a vertical area even with the turbo return line. I have changed the o-ring before and when I look at the pipe, there is oil on it but it is not coming from there.

When driving, wind will blow oil all around the engine bay. But what could be leaking on that part of the block under the exhaust manifold?

whoa - does this really sound like an RMS leak?

This oil is on the side of the block (towards the dash). RMS is near the rear of the block, toward the driver's front wheel. RMS is down low there, rear of the crank, as I understand it will leak between the engine and the transmission.

Personally I'd make real sure I had an RMS problem before replacing it. Unless you like pulling the engine (yeah i know there is more than one way to do it) and just want to do it, OK you are braver and have more tools than I.

If you decide to replace PCV system (like said above a good idea for prevention, and at 100k it is probably time), there is a pinned thread with pictures of the job on a turbo.

[WhiteT5]

Before you go tearing everything apart, I'd suggest using some UV dye to detect the source of the leak. It may seem kind of weird, but I recently discovered that the rear cam seal on the exhaust side can leak oil down the block as well.