Peco

Active Member
Freezie went into the garage today for an MOT and I requested they have a look at what appears to be an oil leak that has been getting gradually worse over the last few weeks.

The 1.8 Kalahari is 2003 model and the garage advised they couldn't see where the leak was coming from but expected it to be quite high up in the engine. They suggested it is likely coming from the cylinder head and would take a considerable amount of labour to strip everything down to check and repair. They therefore suggested adding some oil thickener or oil equivalent of Radweld in the hope it stops the leak.

Thankful that they are saving me money but worried that this will only be a temporary fix, or perhaps won't fix it at all, I thought I'd post for some advice or suggestions..

The leak is coming from the driver side of the engine. Has anyone get any suggestions where to look or should I get a second opinion from another mechanic?
 
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Freezie went into the garage today for an MOT and I requested they have a look at what appears to be an oil leak that has been getting gradually worse over the last few weeks.

The 1.8 Kalahari is 2003 model and the garage advised they couldn't see where the leak was coming from but expected it to be quite high up in the engine. They suggested it is likely coming from the cylinder head and would take a considerable amount of labour to strip everything down to check and repair. They therefore suggested adding some oil thickener or oil equivalent of Radweld in the hope it stops the leak.

Thankful that they are saving me money but worried that this will only be a temporary fix, or perhaps won't fix it at all, I thought I'd post for some advice or suggestions..

The leak is coming from the driver side of the engine. Has anyone get any suggestions where to look or should I get a second opinion from another mechanic?

There are a few places where oil can leak. The higher places are the cam shaft oil seals and the cam cover gasket. Neither is particularly difficult or very labour intensive.
You shouldn't use oil thicker than 10w40 and oil additives don't normally work. You could get a couple of other opinions too.
 
I'll give this ago. Searching for how to guides right now. Thanks guys.

They're simple to fit but a pig to get out again without damaging if they go in crooked (very easy done). Some are handed as in LHS or RHS and some are suitable for both sides, not sure if it matters much which type you get.
I oiled mine to help them slip in but others here say push them in dry or they will leak again, not sure which is correct so best research it.
Use a suitable sized socket to push them in.
 
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+1 on the gaskets or oil seals and you should never use thicker oil than specified it may not get through the lubricating holes in things like cam shaft ect. then you will have a bigger oil leak
 
+ 1 again. Cam cover = very easy and cheap too. Cam seals = a bit harder, have to take the cam celt covers and pulleys off too. Seals are cheap. Black seals go on the cam belt side. If you haven't got a big enough socket you can tap them in using a short piece of 32mm PVC waste pipe [like a hand basin waste pipe].
 

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