Disco 2 Tracking Down Oil Leaks

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Intestinalworm

Intestinalworm

Well-Known Member
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712
Location
Australia
Okay, the front camshaft seal was replaced around a year ago, and no oil tracking down the front of the engine anymore. Alternator brushes were all oiled-up and the alternator body, vacuum pump, and the general area around and below the alternator/vacuum pump was coated with oil; this all looks good now with a new (used) alternator/vacuum pump and two new crush washers at banjo bolt on the vacuum pump.

On the passenger side, under and behind the turbo there is an oily area as shown (circled in yellow); there is also an oily area on the opposite side of this leak - driver's side. What could the source of this oil be? [I did change the camshaft cover gasket (with the "half-moon") a couple of years ago when I changed the injector loom.]

Also, can someone tell me what the thing I've circled in blue is???



OilLeak.jpg
 
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The yellow area you have highlighted could be from a number of reasons. Maybe from the rear camshaft seal, or the back corners of the camshaft cover are prone to leaks, or it is oil blown from a leaking oil cooler housing gasket, or centrifugal filter housing, or from the turbo oil drain, where it fits into the block. Even though you changed the camshaft cover gasket, the half moon often leaks. Suggest give the whole area a good clean and then drive and see where it comes from. The best way is a mirror on a stick tool for those awkward places. The item you highlighted in blue is the connector for the nearside front ABS sensor.
 
Hi, you can remove that plastic cover at the back of the cyl. head (two 8mm headed bolts which will test your gynecology skills, especially when trying to refit them:D) & have a grope round the back to see if there's any fresh oil in that area. I've just had a look at mine whilst doing the broken ex. studs, as mine had oil in that area & luckily it was dry so I'm hoping it was just from the leaking power steering pump & hose that blew it backwards.
20210425_164900.jpg
 
Hellastony said:
The yellow area you have highlighted could be from a number of reasons. Maybe from the rear camshaft seal, or the back corners of the camshaft cover are prone to leaks, or it is oil blown from a leaking oil cooler housing gasket, or centrifugal filter housing, or from the turbo oil drain, where it fits into the block. Even though you changed the camshaft cover gasket, the half moon often leaks. Suggest give the whole area a good clean and then drive and see where it comes from. The best way is a mirror on a stick tool for those awkward places. The item you highlighted in blue is the connector for the nearside front ABS sensor.
Click to expand...

Thanks - great list to work through! Have to get one of those telescopic mirrors!
 
Andy Warren said:
Hi, you can remove that plastic cover at the back of the cyl. head (two 8mm headed bolts which will test your gynecology skills, especially when trying to refit them:D) & have a grope round the back to see if there's any fresh oil in that area. I've just had a look at mine whilst doing the broken ex. studs, as mine had oil in that area & luckily it was dry so I'm hoping it was just from the leaking power steering pump & hose that blew it backwards.View attachment 236697
Click to expand...

Sounds like I need the arms of a gibbon and the dexterity of a seamstress!!! Hate eventually taking something off and realising it's even harder to put it back on! Guess I have to remove it in order to check rear camshaft seal, half-moon on gasket, or rocker cover!
 
Intestinalworm said:
Okay, the front camshaft seal was replaced around a year ago, and no oil tracking down the front of the engine anymore. Alternator brushes were all oiled-up and the alternator body, vacuum pump, and the general area around and below the alternator/vacuum pump was coated with oil; this all looks good now with a new (used) alternator/vacuum pump and two new crush washers at banjo bolt on the vacuum pump.

On the passenger side, under and behind the turbo there is an oily area as shown (circled in yellow); there is also an oily area on the opposite side of this leak - driver's side. What could the source of this oil be? [I did change the camshaft cover gasket (with the "half-moon") a couple of years ago when I changed the injector loom.]

Also, can someone tell me what the thing I've circled in blue is???



View attachment 236632
Click to expand...
The leak on the drivers side might not be oil but fuel. If the FPR is leaking it can look like an oil leak when it picks up dirt etc.
 
meego said:
The leak on the driver's side might not be oil but fuel. If the FPR is leaking it can look like an oil leak when it picks up dirt etc.
Click to expand...

Changed the FPR around 2 years ago - all dry around there when I checked and no diesel smell. Also changed the HP diesel fuel line around a year ago (used a fair bit of anti-chafe tape when I did it - it had been done by a dealer twice before over a four-year period) - that makes a mess, and you can certainly smell the leaking diesel! Definitely leaking oil.

Good thing, checked the front underside of the engine and it's spotless now - was definitely that vacuum pump causing the problems as far as I can tell (banjo bolt).
 
Intestinalworm said:
Changed the FPR around 2 years ago - all dry around there when I checked and no diesel smell. Also changed the HP diesel fuel line around a year ago (used a fair bit of anti-chafe tape when I did it - it had been done by a dealer twice before over a four-year period) - that makes a mess, and you can certainly smell the leaking diesel! Definitely leaking oil.

Good thing, checked the front underside of the engine and it's spotless now - was definitely that vacuum pump causing the problems as far as I can tell (banjo bolt).
Click to expand...
Good stuff mate. It was just a thought and glad you are getting there. I’m not too bad for leaks on my Disco. Usual bit at the back of the rocker cover and think I might be getting slight leak at rear cam seal. The Defender is another story though :eek:
 
meego said:
Good stuff mate. It was just a thought and glad you are getting there. I’m not too bad for leaks on my Disco. Usual bit at the back of the rocker cover and think I might be getting slight leak at rear cam seal. The Defender is another story though :eek:
Click to expand...
To finally resolve the rocker cover issue, I have found that it you grind 1-1.5mm off the bottom of the metal grommet inserts when you next do the gasket, and then tighten it down properly, incorrect order and torque, it should resolve your leaks. After 8 years mine is now leak free from the rocker gasket. Others have tried the same and found it works too. To check for leaks on rear cam seal, get a mirror on a stick, preferably with built in led's and remove and leave off the rear soundproofing so you can see. The soundproofing is useless anyway in reality....
 
meego said:
Good stuff mate. It was just a thought and glad you are getting there. I’m not too bad for leaks on my Disco. Usual bit at the back of the rocker cover and think I might be getting slight leak at rear cam seal. The Defender is another story though :eek:
Click to expand...


Appreciate the feedback. I'm thinking it might be rear of rocker cover (again) and/or rear cam seal - just like what you're experiencing. Not sure how to tackle the rear cam seal (have heard you need to have the arms of a gibbon to access it)!!!
 
Never had to do it in situ, only when I did the head gasket recently, but I have heard that it can be done without too much trouble. I believe you have to puncture and lever the old one out, then using a small block of wood and a lever of some sort, you press the new one in. They are not hard to get into place, only finger tight, as it were.
 
Hellastony said:
To finally resolve the rocker cover issue, I have found that it you grind 1-1.5mm off the bottom of the metal grommet inserts when you next do the gasket, and then tighten it down properly, incorrect order and torque, it should resolve your leaks. After 8 years mine is now leak free from the rocker gasket. Others have tried the same and found it works too. To check for leaks on rear cam seal, get a mirror on a stick, preferably with built in led's and remove and leave off the rear soundproofing so you can see. The soundproofing is useless anyway in reality....
Click to expand...
I always wondered about those Top Hat things limiting compression of the gasket. That makes sense.
Intestinalworm said:
Appreciate the feedback. I'm thinking it might be rear of rocker cover (again) and/or rear cam seal - just like what you're experiencing. Not sure how to tackle the rear cam seal (have heard you need to have the arms of a gibbon to access it)!!!
Click to expand...
I should also have the rear crankshaft seal is probably a culprit, but that’s a bigger job.
 
Hellastony said:
Never had to do it in situ, only when I did the head gasket recently, but I have heard that it can be done without too much trouble. I believe you have to puncture and lever the old one out, then using a small block of wood and a lever of some sort, you press the new one in. They are not hard to get into place, only finger tight, as it were.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for that - you've given me inspiration!!! I'm assuming the rear cam seal is identical to the front one then? I replaced the front one (new Viton (FKM) o-ring) around 18 months ago - it was definitely leaking!
 
I just did a bit of reading on a few forums and on one someone said it's highly unlikely that there will be a leak from the rear camshaft seal (ERR5369)? Said they're never a problem, unlike the front camshaft seal?! I replaced the o-ring seal (Viton) in the front camshaft seal and also the rocker cover gasket two years ago, but I guess there could be oil leaking from the half-moon? If the rear crankshaft seal is leaking, I'm not sure how to tell, and very much doubt I have the experience to change it?

Any thoughts on the rear camshaft seal?

Good thing is, I've reduced the leaking oil considerably just by doing the front camshaft seal o-ring and the vacuum pump oil feed banjo bolt (two new copper crush washers).
 
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They are correct, it is unusual, not sure about unlikely, that the rear camshaft seal is leaking. Suggest as before get a mirror on a stick, preferably with led's and get rid of the silly sound insulating pad that covers it. Then with the mirror you will be able to see clearly where the leak is coming from, either half-moon or camshaft seal.
 
Hellastony said:
They are correct, it is unusual, not sure about unlikely, that the rear camshaft seal is leaking. Suggest as before get a mirror on a stick, preferably with led's and get rid of the silly sound insulating pad that covers it. Then with the mirror you will be able to see clearly where the leak is coming from, either half-moon or camshaft seal.
Click to expand...

This is the way - the telescopic mirror (with LEDs) - will have to start looking around for one! Thanks for your advice!

By the way, from what I've seen so far, looks like the rear seal is like a bath plug, and the front seal is a cap with an o-ring (FKM/Viton)? Wonder why they are different?
 
Might just get an illuminated borescope/endoscope that attaches to my phone! Have been thinking about it for a little while now.
 
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Okay, bought the borescope to attach to my iPhone - ended up buying one through aliexpress (Kerui) for AUD 27 delivered to Australia. It has a stiff, 2m long cable. Have a few uses already lined up around the house, and of course I will check for the oil leak at the back of the engine!

I was going to buy a telescopic LED mirror, but the price was around the same as the borescope and it can take pics/videos. Might also be good for looking under closed doors - always fancied myself as a spy!:p

Will be several weeks before I get this borescope in the mail, so I'll report back after I use it.
 
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