Ok, so I've got a massive oil leak, as if there's a stuck pig in the front of my car with oil in its veins! My (american) mechanic suggested it's leaking from the timing cover, and the gasket needed to be replaced. I just ordered one off eBay, only to have someone call me I had left a message with. This man specializes in hard to find/near extinction foreign car parts. He suggests to replace the seals in the breather screen first, because they often become clogged. Anyone else had a similar issue? I'll take any and ALL opinions here, since I know replacing the timing cover gasket is gonna be a SOB...

Thanks a TON!!

 

Not a bad idea. Follows, do the easies first protocol. Often works.


Yes, excess crankcase pressures can cause seals to leak that often would not.
But, I would've guessed front crank seal before the timing cover.


No idea as to how to do t on the engne in your car, but, your description is apt.


I don't know if your engine has a version of PCV or is merely vented to the atmosphere.


When your car is well warmed up, remove the oil filler cap. A liitle vapor/smoke is OK.
A lot is "blow by". meaning the rings are no longer sealing and some of the combustion pressure is entering the crank case.


Liveable, but needs constant attention to the venting.


Carl

 

Carl pretty much pegged it.

As to specifics your car has no PCV valve. Just the breather at the front of the cylinder head. This needs to be cleaned every couple years.....along with the associated piping.

Many bad oils leaks have been reduced to a tolerable level by simply cleaning the breather system

It's just a matter of removing the cover, removing and cleaning the screen and pipe, reassemble. Order a couple new gaskets first

cheers
DD

 

everybody born in the American hemisphere, is an American, from Canada to Argentina and every place in between.

for those who think that "Americans" are only in the USA, please go back to school for a refresher.

 

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Okayyyyy.....

What prompted this, Jose?


Cheers
DD

 

Doug,
today is Free Geography Tips Day !

 

Oh, Ok, of course. I totally forgot. !

Carry on !

Cheers
DD

 

Jose, I meant he only works on american cars.

Doug, to my demise...it wasn't the clogged breather screen. Soooo, I guess it's time to do the real nitty gritty work.

Thanks for the help,

 

the Series 3 XJ has many "American" and aftermarket parts, mostly GM parts, like the Saginaw power steering pump, the Delco air pump, the rack & pinion, the check valves, the canister purge valve, the GM power window motors, (I think the sunroof motor might be from GM also), the power brake booster, the transmission, the seat tracks, and who knows what else, like Sensors, brake rotors, etc.

the seat tracks and front-rear seat adjusting mechanisms used in the S3 XJ are still being used today by GM in their cars.

Made in America, whether in Brazil, Canada, or Mexico. (not neccesarily in the USA).

Now most everything is Made in China.