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Need Help With Oil Leak

Discussion in '360/430' started by george111, Nov 22, 2011.

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  1. george111

    george111 Karting

    Aug 21, 2011
    120
    florida
    #1 george111, Nov 22, 2011
    I have a oil leak problem that I can't figure out on my CS. Oil is leaking out of the Catalytic Converter on the right side of the engine, once the car warms up. It is a steady drip right at the converter seam. No real exhaust smoke, engine runnig well. Definately notdripping on to the converter dripping out of the converter. Oil pressure when cold about 70lbs once warm 35lbs. Water temp good no leaks. No error codes or check engine light.
    Since the car is in for body work have not driven this is at idle after about ten minuts. About one to two ounces in five minutes. Any idea or help would be deeply appriciated. I am almost sure it is motor oil. F1 1 light on as well but goes off when I step on the brake. I do not think it is x mission fluid leaking.
    Thank All of you
     
  2. Michael B

    Michael B F1 Rookie
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    Apr 28, 2004
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    #2 Michael B, Nov 22, 2011
    Oil? Really? Are you certain its not just condensation? If you have oil leaking out of an exhaust path that would be highly unusual. I am hoping that its actually just exhaust reside laden condensation.
     
  3. george111

    george111 Karting

    Aug 21, 2011
    120
    florida
    #3 george111, Nov 22, 2011
    It makes no sense to me either. I have worked on many cars over the years and have never seen a problem like this. No black smoke, not missing, it takes about 5 to 10 minutes after starting to begin dripping.. No engine faults either.
     
  4. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

    Jun 14, 2009
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    Greg
    #4 FerrariDublin, Nov 22, 2011
    If it's oil there surely has to be smoke?
     
  5. george111

    george111 Karting

    Aug 21, 2011
    120
    florida
    #5 george111, Nov 22, 2011
    The oil is dripping out of the bottom of the cat at he lowest point ...It is maddening.
    I see no way for it to get in the exhaust system. It is definately not burning in the cylinders.
     
  6. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    #6 vrsurgeon, Nov 22, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    By right side of the engine I presume that you mean passenger side. I am HIGHLY suspect it's oil coming out of the cat convertor. They go to 400 to 500 degrees when operating. Thus the oil will just smoke off or get burned off if from inside of the cat.

    On the right side of the car you have an oil cooler line (see pic below) #14 or 15. These pass above the right cat and exhaust. I'd be suspect that a connection is not tight enough and causing the drip. (can drip on the cat and then downward) Need to move things around or take the bottom pan off to see where it is coming from. This where I'd start..

    Of course I have seen stranger and have been wrong before..
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  7. george111

    george111 Karting

    Aug 21, 2011
    120
    florida
    #7 george111, Nov 22, 2011
    I apprciate everyones help on this forum and respect all thoughts on this problem. I have checked both oil lines both too and from the oil radiator and nothing is leaking there. I though I might have missed them dripping on the cat so I wrapped both line with a rag and plastic and stiil the problem is evident. It is about to drive me madd. And it only starts after the engine warms up..Maybe it take that long for the oil to trael..For the life of me I can't believe what I see this oil should by all expectations be coming from some place else but where is the question?
    I will tomorrow once again track every inch of the oil lines to the radiator because I believe as you do it is the only logcal answer.
     
  8. ttdang123

    ttdang123 Formula Junior

    Nov 28, 2009
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    #8 ttdang123, Nov 22, 2011
    After your car is warmed up, could you run your finger lightly below #51 connection (see above diagram) to see if there is a small drip there (be careful - it is hot). It could be the oil was over filled or the clamps were loosen somehow?
     
  9. cubbyman60

    cubbyman60 Formula Junior

    Apr 24, 2004
    361
    LA
    #9 cubbyman60, Nov 22, 2011
    Just wondering- is the fuel pressure of 35 low when it is at normal operating temperature?
     
  10. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

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    #10 FerrariDublin, Nov 23, 2011
    Oil pressure, and no, not when up to temp and at idle.

    I'm still finding it very hard to believe that it's really oil unless I misunderstand something as regards where the leak is evident. The temp of warmed up cats (even on the outside) is 300c/570f + . There's going to be smoke from oil at that temperature.

    Ever work on a car and leave a few oily / greasy fingerprints on exhaust components? They tend to smoke and burn off within a minute or two of the engine starting.
     
  11. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    #11 vrsurgeon, Nov 23, 2011
    george111,

    Like the yeti, could you take a picture of it? It sounds very interesting and defies logic...
    Naturally, I'm fascinated..
     
  12. george111

    george111 Karting

    Aug 21, 2011
    120
    florida
    #12 george111, Nov 23, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have taken a few pictures with the car running. As you can see there is no smoke, the gagues seem normal, and if you can make it out the drop of oil are falling from the lower corner of the cat.
    After taking these I decided to remove the cat and be sure the problem was not coming from the engine, the cat inside is bone dry as is the rest of the exhaust system. I have covered or moved every and anything that could be dripping on it.
    My only deduction is the cat itself has some liquid in it or ir is breaking down and emitting oil in some manner..

    I have no other explanition.
    Tomorrow I amy swap sides on the cats and check the results..
    Please if anyone has anthing else to offer I am all ears and would love a better explanation.
    Thanks all
    g
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  13. swilliams

    swilliams Formula 3

    Jun 14, 2006
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    #13 swilliams, Nov 24, 2011
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2011
    Maybe some kind of resin from the cat converter shields? If it was oil it would smoke very bad there.

    Found a patent for a heat shield material. Maybe the car has something like this?? http://www.patents.com/us-5974784.html I have my old cats sitting in the garage I will look.
     
  14. george111

    george111 Karting

    Aug 21, 2011
    120
    florida
    #14 george111, Nov 24, 2011
    Your explaination is the first one that make any sense. Tomorrow I think I reverse the two cats and see if it leaks and which side that will be the only definitive answer I can come up with.

    I will post my results.

    Anyone else with a suggstion is welcomed.
     

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