Hey all. Question about the CSP and Oil Pan Gasket.

First, the car does not drip oil when sitting. For a little while now, has had a little drip form the CSP, nothing major, just a little drip down the front.

Yesterday, the shifter become stiff and noisy, so I looked and the underside of the engine, crossmember and side skirts had fluid - oil? - all over them. Dealer had the car to do the PS Pump, and I've put 30 miles on it since then.

Would the oil pan gasket leak while the car was sitting idle? Would either cause this much oil spray under the engine/car?

The stealer said they'd take a look at (and take my money of course) but I really don't trust them anymore. Need your input gang.

 

I've had my share of leaks, let's see if I can be of any help...

If the shifter is acting up, perhaps look to the front of the transmission (just behind the radiator) to see if you can find any fluid coming out from there that looks something like this:




As for the Oil Pan Gasket, it can continue to drip if there is already sufficient oil on the outside of the gasket, and it is warm enough. But eventually it will stop dripping because the "waterfall?" would not be fed. It would need engine pressure to feed out more. I would think that you'd be able to see the oil pan leak.

The PS system is closed, so take a look at the level of the fluid and monitor it (make sure to fill it with the proper kind). My guess is that if it was just in for some PS work, someone missed fastening one of the clamps properly.

As for the overall amount of spray underneath, the CPS and such can/do drip whilst driving and coat the underside without dripping while stationary. So it could all end up being that.

Fully clean the underside, then check on it every day to see if you can locate the leak(s?) and monitor your PS fluid level.

 

Thanks Jamez! That pic looks dry compared to the bottom my my engine.

Just got back from my indi shop, got it up on the lift to take a good look around.

Shifter - cables were dried up, boots cracked, lubed the cables and moving freely, and quietly now, but need to replace because of the boots.

Oil - usual suspects still dripping, oil pan & CPS. BUT, the timing cover gasket was leaking like a sieve. No idea on that, other than maybe a combination of age and it dried out while sitting for the friggin PS pump parts to come in? Since that cover has to come off, is there anything else around there that should be attended to?

Good news is the valve cover gasket was new this spring, so didn't have to worry about that one drying out.

 

Timing cover gasket as the cause of an oil leak? Unlikely, in my opinion.

 

Mine started seeping around 50k miles.