16 replies to this topic

[B4AUS]

Hi all,

 

First time poster and hopefully not last. I recently purchased a Suby B4 (literally a week ago) and was absolutely loving every bit off it. Unfortunately yesterday I started noticing smoke appearing from within the engine bay, looking further into I realised something has appeared to be leaking onto the down pipes. Now before speculation begins I have checked the valve cover seal and that is not the problem. Rather this leak is coming from directly above the power steering rack in the dead centre or there about. I am unable to see clearly where it is coming from and was wondering if anyone has a clue to what it may be. For a side note the rear main seal was done 2000kms ago and I was wondering if this has any part to do with this oil loss, or if not was the rear cover oil plate not tightened correctly. In addition when I say oil loss I mean major amounts are coming out by the minute. Some help would be loved.

 

Thankyou all

 

PICTURE FOR REFERENCE

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[Matt]

Yep sounds like the rear main or the oil seperator plate bybthe sounds of it

Only other bit arund there is the sump but unless thats been fiddled with then it should be ok

[Barbbachello]

Yep sounds like the rear main or the oil seperator plate bybthe sounds of it

Only other bit arund there is the sump but unless thats been fiddled with then it should be ok

+1 rear main or separator plate. Unless its a turbo line thats puking and running down the back of the engine maybe?

[Matt]

Ah yep never thought about the turbo oil lines!

[CRUISN]

Degrease the lot, drive it briefly and recheck. Should give you a better indication of exactly where the oil is coming from. Hard to check when oil is everywhere.

[B4AUS]

I decreased the crap out of it and had turned the car back on. After around 30 seconds of idle a hefty stream of oil came pooling from above the centre of the steering rack. From the amount coming out I think it unlikely that an oil line would have been the cause. Only conclusion left is that the previous owner (who was a "mechanic") has made a mess of rear main seal or rear oil cover plate. As such am I looking at an engine out job or is this something I can do from underneath the car?

[Barbbachello]

I decreased the crap out of it and had turned the car back on. After around 30 seconds of idle a hefty stream of oil came pooling from above the centre of the steering rack. From the amount coming out I think it unlikely that an oil line would have been the cause. Only conclusion left is that the previous owner (who was a "mechanic") has made a mess of rear main seal or rear oil cover plate. As such am I looking at an engine out job or is this something I can do from underneath the car?

Engine out or gearbox out. Be careful starting it if its puking oil. Dont run it low and ruin more

[CRUISN]

Definitely rear main or cover plate.

 

If your handy with a spanner, have correct tools to assist and have an undercoer area its not too difiifcult.

 

I did mine in my garage by myself in less than 8 hours taking my time. Labour costs are killer for a $35 seal and some RTV.

[Matt]

$35 seal and some 1215 3-bond sealant

Fixed

[duncanm]

rear main is easy to screw up - push it in too far and its leaks ahoy!

[Barbbachello]

rear main is easy to screw up - push it in too far and its leaks ahoy!

This. Did it myself. Luckily i thought it looked funny and looked it up haha. Then had the task of getting it back out

[B4AUS]

Thanks all for the advice. I am however going to be taking it to my mechanic as he is well versed in the Suby rear main and I basically don't have the time/equipment/experience to undertake the job at the moment. thanks again, cant wait to get it back on the road.

[duncanm]

This. Did it myself. Luckily i thought it looked funny and looked it up haha. Then had the task of getting it back out

me too -- punched a hole in it and pulled it out with some coat-hanger.. I think I'll always buy them in packs of 2 in future.

[RX25SE]

I decreased the crap out of it and had turned the car back on. After around 30 seconds of idle a hefty stream of oil came pooling from above the centre of the steering rack. 

 

Suby rear mains can leak that much that fast??

 

Never seen a rear main leak like that TBH. I would have said a leak from an oil gallery, like the turbo feed line.

[LukeFranky]

I have a similar leak but much less oil is being lost. I don't even top up between services so I haven't spent much time on diagnosis. But I have a clutch shudder. A leak from the rear main would be to blame for this, right?

[duncanm]

I have a similar leak but much less oil is being lost. I don't even top up between services so I haven't spent much time on diagnosis. But I have a clutch shudder. A leak from the rear main would be to blame for this, right?

 

not necessarily....a slow rear main leak usually just dribbles down the back of the block and gets flung around inside the housing, but doesn't tend get on the clutch plate.