Dino distributer leak

I just went through a similar problem. I thought it might be a stud and oil wicking through. That didn't solve it. It turned out to be the distributor base wasn't total square with valve cover. I made a custom gasket, thicker at the top. Totally solved the problem.

 

Take a thin feeler gauge and see if you can slip it inbetween gasket and distributor anywhere.

 

more than likely a worn out camshaft oil seal Item 36 TAV 36
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Why is there no Dino in your Profile (please give year/model/version)? Does o-ring 32 have to seal the oil pressure inside the camshaft?

 

Yes, the time does fly by -- thanks for doing the update.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a cross-section drawing in the 246GT/246GTS WSM of the distributor drive, but based on the similar dog-drive design used on some of the 308, the o-ring #32 seems to be a static sealing situation so I'd definitely use some sealant on that (like a Loctite PST or and an oil-resistant RTV and even put some on the bolt threads holding piece #33 onto the cam). Many modern lip seals are directional and have features in the lip contact area that help "pump" oil back towards the wet side -- might want to make sure you didn't get a directional seal and have it in backwards, or perhaps you could intentionally get an equivalent directional lip seal and install it in the correct orientation to help better retain the oil. You do want to ensure that the surface that the lip seal rides on is more of a non-directional ground finish and not super-polished so using some 600~800 grit sand paper to restore that type of surface finish is no sin IMO. Otherwise, you are left with Jon's suggestion that you just have some sort of mechanical issue (excessive angular misalignment or excessive runout). Please do let us know how you eventually get the problem resolved.

 

A photo of the two seals… Kevin
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You didnt mention the cam seal in your original post!

If oil is getting into the distributor housing (as post 10 photos) then it can only be the o-ring seal or camshaft seal. Putting a thicker gasket will make matters worse imho as it will eventually flood that area with oil and cause you bigger problems.
If the leak is between that housing and the cylinder head then the gasket is broken (does normally break after a camshaft service if not careful) or the cam cover gasket is broken, incorrectly fitted etc.
If all OK then you need to look at the dog drive for wear as it will not seal against item 36 (post 10 RH photo)
Tony

 

If leak from rear of aluminium distributor casting…
Have the counter sunk screws become lose and fowling on the gasket?
If from the fiber plate to head/cam cover, then as suggested above, fiber plate distorted/damaged?

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May be a pointer on the photo to show where your leak is would help thoughts…
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