Tired of being engulfed in a cloud of smoke and awful smell at stoplights due to oil leaking onto my exhaust. A few inspections shows that it is coming from a million places (ok, all the common places and then a few more). I don't have the time at the moment to trouble shoot all the potential leak areas, so as a short term solution I installed a metal belly pan that catches the drips and keeps them off the exhaust.

 

The pan is a piece of 22 ga plated steel, cut to fit, wedged between the transmission and the "Y" ahead of the cat, then bolted to the frame with 1/4" bolts.

 

Here's a pic. It's amazing I didn't chop off any fingers on the sharp edges shoving that thing in there.

 

Well i can tell you that you are going to have to adress the leaks sooner then later. You have cam seals, main crank seal, and probably the oil pump needs resealing. That can all be done at the next timing belt change.

 

The way those leaks work, I dont think thats going to help. Good luck.

 

 

 

nipper

Tired of being engulfed in a cloud of smoke and awful smell at stoplights due to oil leaking onto my exhaust. A few inspections shows that it is coming from a million places (ok, all the common places and then a few more). I don't have the time at the moment to trouble shoot all the potential leak areas, so as a short term solution I installed a metal belly pan that catches the drips and keeps them off the exhaust.

 

The pan is a piece of 22 ga plated steel, cut to fit, wedged between the transmission and the "Y" ahead of the cat, then bolted to the frame with 1/4" bolts.

 

Here's a pic. It's amazing I didn't chop off any fingers on the sharp edges shoving that thing in there.

 

 

Infi, do you really feel this is the proper forum for this kind of porn? Really?

 

(Sorry. I couldn't resist)

 

Juan

Should I post a warning? Been out of town so I haven't drive it yet to see how it works.

If drained to a reservoir, you could redirect it to a small pump and top off the oil level:banana:TaDa!

Nipper is such a purist...

Nipper is such a purist...

 

 

:-p

 

 

nipper

It looks like most of it is coming from the rear main seal and dripping down from the bell housing opening.

If drained to a reservoir, you could redirect it to a small pump and top off the oil level:banana:TaDa!

Nipper is such a purist...

 

hehe that would work! Kind of a dry sump around the wet sump system!!!

or sell your car's services "re-sealing" driveways in the neighborhood:lol:

or sell your car's services "re-sealing" driveways in the neighborhood:lol:

Based on the usual smell, that might work best with oil that has already hit the exhaust system.

Subies do NOT leak, they mark thier territory!

From the looks of it you've got oil pan leakage, and probably valve cover seapage playing into the problem too. I like the idea, but I also doubt its effectiveness.

It looks like most of it is coming from the rear main seal and dripping down from the bell housing opening.

 

You are correct. The leaks from the headgasket etc. are minor in comparison.

You are correct. The leaks from the headgasket etc. are minor in comparison.

I had the same problem with my RX. Not quite that bad though. I replaced all of the rear seals when I put a new clutch in at 220k miles. It's at 322k now and all is still well. It took about 2 hours to pull the engine. Good times!

Probably the rear oil seperator plate on the back of the motor? Leaks out through the bell housing. Check other threads on this, some have pics. Mine had this problem.

Still haven't driven it to check things, but....my wife drove it and didn't notice burning oil smell or smoke. Also, it no longer drips oil on the drive way. I think I've solved the problem (oil dripping on exhaust) until I can get the oil seals replaced.