marc93lx

As I was painting my calipers today I noticed I had an oil leak. Im just not sure where its coming from. Here are a couple of pics.

tonkabui

i don't know... maybe you need a new oil pan gasket.

marc93lx

Thats kinda what I was thinking, but wasn't sure.

tonkabui

that cutout where the crankshaft goes into the oil pan is usually heavily siliconed. when the silicone cracks, the oil will leak from there. since you are gonna be down there removing the oil pan anyway, mind as well get a new gasket for the whole thing. good luck with it and do tell if it is indeed what i think it is.

torpedan

Best thing start at the bottom and trace the wet spot up till it stops.. A small leak over time can easily cover an entire engine.

kcbhiw

If it isn't the oil pan gasket I'd say your front main seal is shot. Considering the location, I'd bet your front main seal. Quite a PITA to replace FWIW.

mazdaspeedwest

i had a near identical looking leak. I changed the cam seals (my main was still good), valve cover gasket and distributor o-ring when i changed the water pump and T-belt. If you see an oil buildup up top, between the cam cover and head (just above the power steering pump, chances are the cam seals are leaking too.

No leaks at all since

ne3ek

ya, rear main seal.. that's a pricy job

Felix Wankel

The rear main seal isn't going to leak oil on the front of the engine

ne3ek

-rear

mazdaspeedwest

the main seal in question here is the crank seal, behind the main belt pulley.

marc93lx

I don't work tomorrow so I will crawl under there and see if the oil goes up any further. I just replaced the valve cover gasket like last month so thats all good. I will hafta check on the cams seals and distributor o-ring as mazdaspeedwest suggested. If it is the crankshaft front oil seal, is it a job I can do myself? I have basic knowledge of mechanics. If I have someone do it for me what kinda cost am I looking at? Thanks for the replys!

mazdaspeedwest

it's not all that difficult, but you will need to pull the timing belt, drive belts, cam gears, main pulley, but you'll need an impact gun to get the big nut off.

marc93lx

Got air tools for Christmas, so Im covered there . Im about to go out and see if the leak goes any higher.

Davard

The easiest way to check if the cam seals are leaking is to pull the upper timing belt cover (4 bolts). If it's wet at the top, then it's the cam seals. If it's dry up there, then it is the main seal. Either way, you have to remove the timing belt for access.