After removing the P/S pump and hoses, along with a few other things, I found my oil leak. It's at the bottom of the timing chain cover where it meets the engine block and oil pan. You can see oil seeping out while the engine runs.

Fixing this means pulling off the timing chain cover and re-sealing it, and it's quite a job. It would probably take me 10 to 15 hours. I'm not sure what I'll do. It's hard to live with it, as it leaves a spot about the size of a baseball when left overnight. It's also hard to justify the time involved to fix it.

http://www.jason-parker.net/images/m..._oil_leak1.jpg
http://www.jason-parker.net/images/m..._oil_leak2.jpg

 

OK, it's leaking, now what is your question??

 

Maybe it's just me but that does not look like a leak at the timing chain cover to me... :gotme;

 

Upon further investigation, what looked like a slot or hole is, indeed, a hole, like some type of weep hole. I was able to insert a paper clip about 3" into it. When the engine is running, oil slowly seeps from this hole. In the second picture I have removed a plug next to it.

Does anyone know what this is for and what would cause oil to seep out of it?

Again, this is between the rear timing chain case and the engine block, near the bottom, anout 2" above the oil pan.

http://www.jason-parker.net/images/m...aoilleak1b.jpg
http://www.jason-parker.net/images/m...aoilleak2b.jpg

 

I'm having trouble picturing where this is.. can you take a picture (wider view) and circle the general area you are working in.

 

it looks like it needs to be resealed thats my guess

 

Here are two wider angle views. You can see the front axle, crank shaft pulley, etc. The wire in the second picture goes to the forward/right O2 sensor

http://www.jason-parker.net/images/m...wide_view1.jpg
http://www.jason-parker.net/images/m...wide_view2.jpg

 

I've been showing these pictures around to some experienced mechanics and they all say the same thing:

- It looks like some type of weep hole.
- They have no idea why it's there or what it does
- Clean it well and plug it with something like JB Weld and move on

Unless I hear a reasonable explanation of what this is and why it leaks oil, that is what I am planning to do.

Anyone have any ideas or thoughts on this? I wonder if this is the real reason for some of the "timing chain cover" oil leaks that people have posted about. Once they hear this diagnosis, few are inclined to get it fixed, with estimates of $800 to $1200 for the job.

 

Is it leaking a noticeable amount, do you refill before change? If so I would fix it, but not for 800-1200 for that money, get a used low mileage VQ 3.0 or 3.5

 

if the oil seal on the water pump went out would that cause oil to come out of the weep hole? That could be your problem but im not really quite sure. I know when my water pump ring went it was leaking in that area. But with coolant instead. Since their are two seals one for oil and one for coolant.