Mystery Oil

[cfryve]

It's been a while since I've posted a question here so see if you can advise on this.

I was changing the old autobox oil the other day (it was showing signs of tiredness after 20k) I noticed that the engine castings just below what I would call the rocker box/camshaft cover were full of oil.

This has got nothing to do with the gearbox by the way. The car doesn't seem to use much engine oil between changes so I'm wondering whether it's the usual gunge that comes out of the oil cooler but just leaking out of some other breather in the vacinity of the top of the engine. The cars always done this but I'm just curious to know where it comes from?

Any suggestions?

[mechcanico lee]

Hello is it in these pockets next to where the injectors sit in

 

 

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt266/mechcanicolee/KGrHqRHJBE8e4F0YS4BPLFEEKy60_12.jpg

 

 

If yes....... it can be from the rocker box but more likely from the inlet manifold butterfly housing ,common on lots of the peugeot /citroen range .

The butterfly housing sits over the top of them pockets were the oil has gathered , it has a spindle through it and oil residue that comes through the intercooler system weeps out and fills them pockets with oil .

 

The intercooler system does have oil residue in there even on a fresh engine with low miles, the oil mist that is drawn out of the engine via the breather system and is drawn back into the engine into the turbo inlet so there is always oil residue in there .Breather systems used to breathe straight out to atmosphere years ago but emmission laws stopped all that

If it get excessive that can be signs of a worn engine or turbo shaft play or oil seeping past the turbo shaft seals.

 

Have seen oil leaks from the breather pipe that fits onto the rocker cover also ,but that normally leaks down the back of the engine block .

 

I had this on my girlfreinds car, i replaced the housing ,its a dealer part bout £40 from memory and easy to replace

[cfryve]

Yes that's just where it's collecting. There's more oil the closer you get to the inlet housing so must be worn like you suggest. I suppose that's not bad for 150000 miles.

Thanks for the great reply.