Oil leak (not valve gasket)

Good afternoon,

The way it is being thrown around, I doubt it.

It look like the front seal behind the harmonic balancer.

To be sure, I would go to a self serve car wash and clean off the motor and then watch it over time to be sure it is coming from there.

With all that mess, how do you know it is not the valve cover?

Roy


Tools Required
J 8614-01 Pinion Flange Holder

Removal Procedure

Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in Service Precautions.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the accessory drive belt.
3. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
4. Remove the right splash shield.


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5. Remove the crankshaft pulley retaining bolt using J 8614-01 to prevent crankshaft rotation when loosening the bolt.

I know it's not the valve gasket because I previously had a leak from there as well, and it was very noticeable around the entire engine. Once I replace the gasket and cleaned up the ring of sludge it left and since then not a drop has seeped from there.
This model of car has a common problem with the tensioner leaking so i figured i would ask before i replaced it.
It's like the world's slowest leak tho. A month/ month and a half will go by and i won't have even lost 3/4 of a quart.

I understand.

From the picture and the way it is thrown around, it looks like the front seal. I would get under the car and look behind the balancer and see if it has oil there.

Roy

Will do. Appreciate the advice!

You are welcome.

Keep us updated.

Always glad to help.

Roy

Update.
Leak has gotten worse. It has now progressed to the point of leaving tiny, tiny pools of oil wherever I park for hours on end.
There are a couple of spots where the oil collects to drip from when stationary.
Still have yet to replace the tensioner or anything else besides the oil and filter between now and when I initially posted this.
Hopefully the video is decent quality enough to see. If not, I can definitely re-shoot it and/or get different positions and angles.

Thanks for the video.

I still think the issue is at the front of the motor from something like he seal or something that turns.

Roy

Turns out. dun dun dun.. it's the power steering pump. No wonder I could never find an oil leak, because there was no oil leaking. Haha

At least you found it and it is fixed.

Good job.

Roy