Nasty oil leak - sump?

C

Courageous

Member
Good morning all,

went to replace my faulty oil level sender on my 2.0L the other day. I knew I had an oil leak, getting the smell off the exhaust after start up. Suspected the cam cover gasket even though I had it replaced recently. Not sure if it may be the oil filler cap but time may tell. What follows obviously isn't related to the smell:

The thing is when I dropped the flap under the sump to look for the sender I saw a LOT of oil on the drivers side at low level. This did not look like a small seep from the cam cover or the filler cap. I have read here that the sump gasket lets go and the amount witnessed might suggest this as the source. Can anyone advise why it is that these engines are more susceptible to this issue? Does it warp if a mech over tightens the bolts? Not enough bolts for the job? Vibration loosening?

I can't (or won't) do this from under the car on jacks so will be looking to take it to an indie here and have them do the job. What should I be looking out for?

Thanks in advance.
 
There can be a number of reasons for oil to accumulate on the cover - presumably its the undertray you refer to. Any top end leak is likely to accumulate oil on the undertray and careless oil changes can result in oil gushing out hiting the edge of the oil drain flap and leaving oil inside the undertray. I wouldnt assume its the sump gasket until you have checked other possibilities like the oil filter housing.
 
Thanks Mike the oil filter housing was supposed to have been fixed the same time as the cam cover gasket. I'm interested to know why the sump gasket does fail though even if mine hasn't?
 
Courageous said:
Suspected the cam cover gasket even though I had it replaced recently.
Click to expand...
Are you sure this isn’t just spillage from when the oil was dropped? Most likely the work was done on a ramp, but one possible cause might be from the oil being dropped with the car jacked from the O/S.

I’m a little late to the party... any cause found yet?
 
Hi Tom and thanks for coming in on this. The oil was changed around three months ago and 2500 miles. I could be wrong but would have thought in the temperatures we have here in Spain it would have dissipated by now. Not had it inspected yet due shortage of time and other priorities. I will be sure to update though. I notice no one has come back to explain why the sump gasket lets go though...... Perhaps it's one of life's mysteries.
 
Ok I now have more info on this after having it up on a local ramp. Definitely the sump gasket on the offside as the sump is tilted towards that side and t's wet there. Mechanic wouldn't go any further towards giving me a budget as apparently part of the sub chassis has to be removed (maybe language difficulty) and if the bolts are corroded it could take much longer than budgeted for. Typical - I think I'm going to drive her back to the uk for Mike at the ZedShed to fix for me, just need to keep a careful eye on the oil level as the sensor has to be replaced after the same section of car has been removed. We are on a wing and a prayer here....... :?
 
Sump seals aren’t uncommon for leaking on M series engines.

They are a faff to do but the engine can be left in situ at least..
 
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