Engine oil leak after compressor repair

[adsmk0]

I have a 98 Camry with a V6. This weekend I replaced the compressor and reassembled everything to start up and fill system with freon. Engine starts and runs fine, but it is leaking A LOT of oil when the engine is running. The oil leak appears to be coming from around the bottom of the compressor and front oil pan lip. It is definitely engine oil.

During the compressor change out I had to remove the alternator and associated brackets in order to remove and replace compressor. I thought the oil leak may be coming from the oil pan just in case I knocked it a little and may have broken the gasket. So I went ahead and dropped the oil pan and replaced that gasket. Well after cranking and running it is still leaking A LOT of oil out of the same area.

I am embarrassed to say I had one bolt left over upon my full reassembly. Is there a bolt near the alternator bracket or near the compressor area that would leak oil when the engine is running. I am talking about a 1/2 a quart a minute.

Thanks for any help you can provide. I wish there was a good engine diagram to reference, but my Autozone book that I bought doesn't go into that kind of detail. I feel deflated after what was going to be a good repair that would have saved me a lot of money on A/C repair. Now I am looking at a major oil leak that wasn't there when the project started.

[71Corolla]

Maybe it's the oil pressure switch? It is near the crank pulley, towards the front of the car. You might have cracked it, or bumped it and the O-ring crumbled. Just a guess though. What about the oil filter?

[adsmk0]

I will check the oil pressure switch. Thanks for the advice. Anyone have a picture of what it looks like or the location?

I did replace the oil filter after I dropped the pan, so that has been eliminated as a potential problem.

Sean

[Mister_Perkins]

got any pictures of the oil leak?

[adsmk0]

I found the leak and it is leaking like a freaking firehose!

I can't believe it one of the compressor mounting bolts went into the bracket but apparently was so long it also went into the freaking engine block! Why would the bolts be so long that this could even happen? A simple part swap turns into a major hassle and repair.

I guess my only option is to have a machine shop do a weld on it.

Attached are some pics so others can see what happened.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1864205...in/photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/18642053@N04/5886695766/in/photostream

[adsmk0]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1864205...in/photostream

Link that shows the hole too..

[JohnGD]

Do you think something like JB Weld would work?

http://www.jbweld.net/products/jbstik.php

[adsmk0]

I am not sure. The tough thing is if it doesn't work I have to disassemble again and recharge A/C system. It could work, but it may be worth the extra money to have a spot weld done on it.

[71Corolla]

Man that sucks, the wrong bolt must have been used at some point.

As good as JB Weld is, I don't think I could trust the stuff long term. If it fails, you could destroy your engine. I know other people have had good success with it, but I see it as a gamble. Best solution is to get it welded, it would be trivial for a good welder to seal that up. But keep in mind aluminum is very soft, so done wrong you'll end up with a bigger hole!

Another option would be to use a tap and make some threads, then put in a plug with a copper washer. It is in an awkward spot to do this though.

[adsmk0]

Wish me luck guys. I have an appt to get it spot welded tomorrow. I have had people say they wouldn't touch the engine if it was still inside the car, to a $600 quote, to a $100 to $150 quote with it in the car. I hope this works and I have no surprises later on down the road. I will update this weekend after the weld is done and I reinstall alternator, compressor, charge system, and go for a long road trip. This is my 80 year old Mother's car so it has to be reliable!

[96ToyoCam164K]

Don't you just hate DIY sometimes LOL???

That sucks though. I'm having a similar compressor issue although not nearly as severe. The inline filter I made from a funnel filter at walmart didn't work and kept leaking out freon.

And my torque wrench keeps breaking bolts

[mpliscott]

Originally Posted by adsmk0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1864205...in/photostream

Link that shows the hole too..

Hey man I have the same problem what compressor did you use when this happened?

[71Corolla]

Originally Posted by adsmk0

I will update this weekend after the weld is done and I reinstall alternator, compressor, charge system, and go for a long road trip. This is my 80 year old Mother's car so it has to be reliable!

I'll be very interested to see how the welder repairs that, post pics if you can. My main concern would be long term, I've seen welds that were fine at first but cracked eventually, although that was on cheap metal not a high quality aluminum like an engine block.

[mpliscott]

Hey 71corolla Im not to familiar with the avalon would you know what metal the block is made of?

[71Corolla]

Avalon uses the 1MZ-FE, model first started in 1994, so it's aluminum.