Oil Leak

[LoTex]

Well I'm sure everyone is rolling their eyes with this subject line.

This is a new one for me. After taking my S2 out for our weekly exercise, the last few times I have noticed a smear of oil on top of the dynamo- a number of large drops which from the location appear to be coming from above. I don't see any evidence for a leak on the cam cover or manifold so I am mystified as to where it is coming from.

Anyone else experience this or have any ideas as to cause?


Steve

[john.p.clegg]

Steve

Dipstick.....that's not a comment but a suggestion...

John

[nebogipfel]

Steve, I had this on my car and the reason may or may not help you ......... someone had fitted a bolt which was slightly too long into the front cover (the one which goes up into the cover above the dynamo). As a result it was bottoming out before it was tight and oil was leaking down the thread giving just the leak you describe. A shorter bolt cured the problem but not my embarrassment

[rgh0]

I have a similar small leak that comes from a crack in the front cover next to the bolt that runs up into the head. I sealed it up with a smear of silicone and will get it welded next time the engine is out.

cheers
Rohan

[LoTex]

All good suggestions, thanks. I don't think it is the bolt issue as all look standard and I have made sure the dipstick is well inserted (were these ever any good?), will check it after next weekend's run.

Rohan, did the oil from the crack show up as large drops on your dynamo? I don't see any cracks and don't know how I would detect one if that was the culprit-


Steve

[rgh0]

Yes it was drops on the alternator casing and on the alternator to engine block bracket.

The crack itself was very hard to see and i only found it by cleaning down the area and carefully examining the area with a mirror to see up around where the bolt goes into the head.

cheers
Rohan