Back of Engine Covered in Oil - Solved

[edwardr]

This forum has helped me a great deal so I think it's time for me to contribute back. I have a '94 Celica GT 2.2L 5SFE. It's had a persistent oil leak since I got it 8 months ago and it got worse recently after I replaced the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, oil seals, etc.) I found that the back of the engine, as far up as I could see, was completely covered in fresh oil. I suspected failure of the new valve cover gasket (my son had installed that so, of course, I assumed it was his fault). Removed the valve cover, competely cleaned all areas where the gasket seats and inspected the gasket for damage. Put it back together, cleaned up as much of the oil as I could, and test drove the car. Found some new oil drops on the right CV joint but thought they might be residual oil from earlier leaking.

After a few days, saw that oil was leaking as bad as before. Knowing that it had begun on the CV joint, I tracked up from there and concluded that the source was inside the timing cover. Tore it all back down, expecting to find a bad install on one of the oil seals but they were all dry. Cleaned and dried everything behind the timing belt thoroughly and ran the car for a few minutes. Found the oil leaking from behind the oil pump. This is the smaller part of the pump right behind the oil pump pulley, not the larger portion that wraps around the crankshaft. Removed the pump (6 bolts, very easy) and found the o-ring cracked. $6.50 for a new o-ring at dealership and it's good as new (after about 16 hours of labor).

My advice to the forum...ALWAYS CHANGE YOUR OIL PUMP O-RING when changing the timing belt. This should be automatic, just like changing the water pump and oil seals. It's cheap and only takes an extra 20-30 minutes. You don't want to have to open the timing covers again like I did.

BTW, the back of the engine was covered with oil because the oil ran along the length of the center axle and the axle slung it upward when driving.

[RobMilkshakes]

Very good advice. It sucks having to get back into it again.

But the oil dripping on the CV axle is what threw me off with my oil leak as well until I ruled out everything except a cam seal or crank seal. One month later I got my answer when my timing belt snapped

but anyway, glad to hear you've got it figured out