Oil leak nearside of engine
- Thread starter Dean'o
- Start date
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 didDean'o said: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
North West Surrey
patriot66 said: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 didDean'o said: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
100% agree with this diagnosis
Dean'o said: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 :roll:
raymond.harper
Senior member
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.
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 toomattimus said:raymond.harper said:
What a cracking tip to save a load of unnecessary stress
Also with the car raised it's a 2 min job to remove the undertray for extra access from below if required raymond.harper
Senior member
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