So in the past month I have done the front and rear valve cover gaskets, and the upper and lower oil pan gaskets. It's still leaking oil. By it I mean my 97 SE. Passenger side right about were the oil filter is. It's not the oil filter. Before I crawl back under this damn car, I was hoping maybe the collective knowledge of the forum. Some one may have a idea of what the hell is leaking. XD thanks forthe help

 

Any idea where it could be leaking (or where it is showing up) on the picture of the upper oil pan and filter area below?

 

Unfortunately, no. I was going to lift the car up and take the tire off to tell you. But my jack decided it no longer wanted to lift :-/ . For today I have reached that peak level of frustration you get with cars.

 

I'm with ya.. It happens to me a couple times a month..

 

that sounds like something else....

 

You probably don't want to hear this but I'll bet it is the rear timing cover O-rings. Search around and you will see it is pretty common for these cars. especially since you've already done the valve covers and both oil pans.

 

I think your right. When I saw this I started looking around the timing cover and that seams to be where it's coming from. I guess it's time to do some research.

 

Sooo after some reading. Although I haven't found a good "how to" write up. It seams to be a utter pain is the a$$. It may just leak for awhile...

 

Timing Chain Cover seal is a NIGHTMARE!

Dealers want to almost pull the engine. NOT

Find someone that specializes in 4th Gens and they have some tricks. While in there, might as well do the Chain, Gears and Tensioner and Water Pump too and water pump hoses.

Cost me around $1100 IIRC about a year ago. OUCH!

The first 100K was so much cheaper than the second 100K. I'm at 185K now.

I hope this helps and GOOD Luck!

 

Do I seriously jave to take off the upper oil pan to get the timing cover off? If this is the case the it's just going to leak for awhile.

 

Unfortunately yes you do. It's basically an upper oil pan job plus you have to remove power steering pump, alternator, ac compressor (don't have to remove the refrigerant lines tho), crank pulley, outer timing cover, all the chains, tensioners and sprockets, and then finally the inner timing cover. Once the inner cover is removed you can get to the 2 o-rings. Same thing happened to me, resealed the upper oil pan and still leaking exactly the same. Once I replaced those 2 o-rings no more leaking.

 

......................Well then, i'm going to 10-30 rather then 5-30 and it's just going to leak for awhile. I literally just finished the upper oil pan last weekend