328 Oil burning / smoke from under front bank | FerrariChat
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328 Oil burning / smoke from under front bank

Discussion in '308/328' started by ducowti, Sep 24, 2024.

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  1. ducowti

    ducowti Formula 3

    Jan 27, 2008
    1,557
    NY/SC
    Full Name:
    David
    #1 ducowti, Sep 24, 2024
    What are the likely sources of oil leaking that's burning off/smoking from under the front bank between the firewall and front bank. Not enough to oil anything that can be seen in the engine bay, and while there's def a bit of oil underside of the oil pans, no more drips to the ground than prior to the burning, and similar to my first 328.

    Will get her to the shop but have slight concerns about driving 20min leaking enough to catch fire.
     
  2. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,192
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    #2 Lawrence Coppari, Sep 25, 2024
    Might be coming from the front right corner of cam cover (looking from rear of vehicle). Reach your fingers to the flat area where the end of the cam cover seals (near firewall). Flat area is about 1 square inch and is part of the block. If it is wet, the cam cover is leaking.
     
  3. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,575
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    #3 yelcab, Sep 25, 2024
    Three to four sources: 1) cam cover gasket, 2) distributor housing gasket, 3) cam oil seals at front of engine, 4) head gasket (rare).
     
  4. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,439
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    #4 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, Sep 25, 2024
    This happened to me last fall and it scared the living **** out of me.
     
  5. Jbrauer

    Jbrauer Karting

    Oct 12, 2016
    224
    Pasadena
    #5 Jbrauer, Sep 26, 2024
    Prob Cam seal.
     
  6. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2005
    4,190
    Canada
    #6 moysiuan, Sep 26, 2024
    Yes, there is a big O ring that seals that part of the cam cover, it leaks where the seal meets the paper gasket, sometimes the paper gasket os squeezed out a bit, and cuts into the O ring. The bottom of the picture is the typical spot of the leak.

    Fyi, it can be successfully replaced by threading a new cut O ring into the head groove, you glue the O ring cut, you can see the new O ring cut in my picture. Otherwise the cam needs to be removed to replace that O ring. There is also the cam seal itself which is in that aluminum seal carrier that is typically replaced with the cam out when doing the O ring, and that could be the other source of your leak.

    [​IMG]
     
    Jbrauer likes this.
  7. s219

    s219 Formula Junior

    Aug 26, 2021
    486
    #7 s219, Sep 26, 2024
    The gasket design in that corner is very optimistic and it seems to be a common location of leaks. I looked at quite a few 328s (including the one I bought) and saw the gasket poking out of the corner slightly, and some cars had an oil dribble right there. There may be an install trick to prevent that problem but for sure it's not a great design to begin with.
     
    moysiuan likes this.
  8. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2005
    4,190
    Canada
    #8 moysiuan, Sep 27, 2024
    The trick is to use a very small dab of high temp silicone seal at that gasket to o ring junction, and importantly torque to spec, many probably over tighten the cam cover nuts (possibly because of a warped or less then perfect selaing surfaces).. This with too much silicone sealant causes the gasket to slip and be squeezed out and or cut into the o ring. The gasket should otherwise be installed dry.

    It could be designed better, eg. a small dowel pin drilled into the head surface and cam cover to retain the gasket and prevent the squeeze out?
     

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