Found my oil leak

[badger.]

I think... both oil cooler O-rings were pretty flat, and each had a small crack:

P.S. Removing the oil cooler is a PITA job. I'd rather replace my steering rack again...

[badger.]

[Weatherman]

I'm pretty positive my valley pan gasket is leaking. I did the crankshaft seal, and the VC gaskets.

I didn't think to check there also. Mine only leaks really bad when oil is full. Hoping vpg is the last seal I need to replace.

[badger.]

Yeah up to this point I've done:

oil filter o-rings
valley pan gasket
valve cover gaskets

Now I've got the oil cooler. If it still leaks I'm not sure what is left lol, other than the pan itself.

[cryingbrb]

Is the alternator held on by those 2 long bolts or is there something more?

[badger.]

Just those 2 bolts. And the coolant hoses if you want to count those :)

[cryingbrb]

Thanks. Also, see the big tube going across underneath the engine? Before taking apart the front end, i'd notice oil gather along it, either from the cooler or from the pan itself. Which I'm going to replace. What is the pipe for and is known to leak as well?

[Terry.Reese]

either mine has this leak or it is my oil pan gaskey, there is a lot of oil right there. and I just had my oil changed, so I will have to tackle this in a few thousand miles.

[924Carrera]

Thanks. Also, see the big tube going across underneath the engine? Before taking apart the front end, i'd notice oil gather along it, either from the cooler or from the pan itself. Which I'm going to replace. What is the pipe for and is known to leak as well?

The pipe is a coolant pipe. It has some seals in it, which I recommend replacing if you have to remove it, but I don't think it is a common leak area.

[cryingbrb]

Yeah, deff gonna need to remove it to get to the oil pan. Oil gathers at almost every bolt along the pan

[badger.]

Yeah, deff gonna need to remove it to get to the oil pan. Oil gathers at almost every bolt along the pan

I had oil on every bolt on my pan too but it was all from the oil cooler. I did not remove that coolant pipe or do anything to my oil pan.

[roboto_1337]

Wow! Great Pics... I don't think that my S4 is leaking, but there does appear to be some residue in the same area as your work... nothing hitting the ground, but great post and great pics.

[cryingbrb]

Wow, how do I undo all the connections BEHIND the alternator? I just got to it and like you said, it's becoming a real PITA. I undid the coolant line but the electrical is directly behind it and perfectly not long enough to pull out. Underneath and a few screwdrivers?

[badger.]

You should be able to unclip the electrical plug from the alt with it still in place, just find that release tab and you can get it, might need a little screwdriver or something. Did you get that little coolant line yet? The first one is easy, but that short guy on the bottom behind it (the short one in my last pic there) was the pain for me. That last pic shows the new hose clamp, which was much easier to get on. You can see it in the 1st pic on my 2nd post peeking out behind the alt; that was the orientation of the one time use clamp and I could not get any pliers or anything back there. Ended up unbolting the trans cooler line mount and AC line and getting enough room to shove it around from beneath..

[cryingbrb]

Alright so instead of going for each line individually, i was able to adjust the position of the alternator just enough (while coolant lines were attached) to fit my hand and small ratchet enough to remove a bracket that holds in place both METAL coolant lines. Once removing, I was able to yank out that coolant line you're talking about.

[kevinye77137]

Doing this right now. I didnt even bother unplugging the alternator out cause it seems like a PITA. i just moved it aside and was able to remove 4 of the bolts from the bracket. The 5th one with the 6hex I needed an allen key for that but didnt have it at home. Going to parts store to get it hopefully it has enough space. Any tips from you guys that would make things smoothly?

[KiwiTrev]

Hi, awesome thread!
I'm out in New Zealand and if I have trouble getting those exact o rings...does anyone know if a "normal o" on the "tabs" on the inside diameter would be ok?...anð is there anyone who knows how to get oil pressure to test for leaks WITHOUT fully assembling this huge task?