Oil leak nearside of engine

Dean'o · Post by **Dean'o** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:01 pm

Hi all, have noticed nearside of engine is covered in oil. Am thinking two things, oil seals on vacuum pump or oil filter housing gasket. If vacuum pump is it inlet manifold off.

Any info much appreciated as always

Dean'o · Post by **Dean'o** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:03 pm

2.2 engine on a 2003 just to help

patriot66 · Post by **patriot66** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:11 pm

Dean'o wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:01 pm Hi all, have noticed nearside of engine is covered in oil. Am thinking two things, oil seals on vacuum pump or oil filter housing gasket. If vacuum pump is it inlet manifold off.
Any info much appreciated as always

On a 2003 2.2 M54 on the nearside it's almost certainly the o.f.h gasket. At possibly 20 years old it will have turned hard and brittle leaking oil down the side of the block. Shine a torch in the gap between the oil filter cap and block and you will probably be able to see the source. When you say vacuum pump do you mean the C.C.V ? If original it also will have become brittle and well past its best. It can all be replaced without removing the inlet manifold but much easier with the manifold removed as I did

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:26 pm

If you clean it all off and see where it starts to re-appear you might be able to work out which of those it is.

bigwinn · Post by **bigwinn** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:28 pm

patriot66 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:11 pm
Dean'o wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:01 pm Hi all, have noticed nearside of engine is covered in oil. Am thinking two things, oil seals on vacuum pump or oil filter housing gasket. If vacuum pump is it inlet manifold off.
Any info much appreciated as always
On a 2003 2.2 M54 on the nearside it's almost certainly the o.f.h gasket. At possibly 20 years old it will have turned hard and brittle leaking oil down the side of the block. Shine a torch in the gap between the oil filter cap and block and you will probably be able to see the source. When you say vacuum pump do you mean the C.C.V ? If original it also will have become brittle and well past its best. It can all be replaced without removing the inlet manifold but much easier with the manifold removed as I did

100% agree with this diagnosis

Dean'o · Post by **Dean'o** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:29 pm

Thanks for info, don't these engines have a vacuum pump for the brakes that have two oil seals?. My CCV is ok I did the test of taking oil filler cap while engine running and not much vacuum there.

patriot66 · Post by **patriot66** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:56 pm

Dean'o wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:29 pm Thanks for info, don't these engines have a vacuum pump for the brakes that have two oil seals?. My CCV is ok I did the test of taking oil filler cap while engine running and not much vacuum there.

N52 does

Dean'o · Post by **Dean'o** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 10:11 pm

Bit of a novice on these cars but learning. Just seen a video on o f h and yes I would definitely say you are right my leak is coming from there.

patriot66 · Post by **patriot66** » Mon Mar 20, 2023 10:27 pm

Dean'o wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 10:11 pm Bit of a novice on these cars but learning. Just seen a video on o f h and yes I would definitely say you are right my leak is coming from there.

Very common. Not a difficult job but the o.f.h is also part of the alternator mounting bracket so you have to remove the alternator and belt as part of the job

Dean'o · Post by **Dean'o** » Tue Mar 21, 2023 7:15 am

raymond.harper · Post by **raymond.harper** » Tue Mar 21, 2023 7:35 am

If you decide to do this job, plenty of videos to show how, watch the tops of the wings as you will be leaning over them quite a bit. Either wear an overhaul that button on the inside or buy a wing protector mat.

mattimus · Post by **mattimus** » Tue Mar 21, 2023 8:37 am

raymond.harper wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 7:35 am If you decide to do this job, plenty of videos to show how, watch the tops of the wings as you will be leaning over them quite a bit. Either wear an overhaul that button on the inside or buy a wing protector mat.

What a cracking tip to save a load of unnecessary stress

patriot66 · Post by **patriot66** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 10:16 am

mattimus wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 8:37 am
raymond.harper wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 7:35 am If you decide to do this job, plenty of videos to show how, watch the tops of the wings as you will be leaning over them quite a bit. Either wear an overhaul that button on the inside or buy a wing protector mat.
What a cracking tip to save a load of unnecessary stress

To add to what Raymond says, if doing any prolonged engine bay work I always make sure the car is clean so you're not going to rub any grit into the paintwork. I usually wear an old sweatshirt and tracky bottoms, no zips or fasteners. However, the best tip I have is to raise the front of the car up on axle stands or ramps. It saves a lot of stretching and straining and leaning over against the wings. Your back will thank you for it too

Also with the car raised it's a 2 min job to remove the undertray for extra access from below if required

Dean'o · Post by **Dean'o** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 6:39 pm

All advice gratefully appreciated as always, ordered gasket so hoping to get done this weekend. Off to Wales at Easter so want it ok for them.

raymond.harper · Post by **raymond.harper** » Wed Mar 22, 2023 8:28 pm

Good luck. This is a video of the 2.5 but there are many similarities with the 2.2 Ignore the middle section. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I95LurFYbtg&t=729s

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