Oil Leak, Berlingo 1.9 Diesel

[r6.pete]

Hi, i have a 2004 berlingo 1.9 diesel with a oil leak which seems to be coming from behind the cambelt cover.

 

I put it into the garage to have a new cambelt kit fitted at the same time as they inspected for the leak. I was told it was the camchaft seal which they replaced.

 

This has not solved the problem but i do not want to spend more money having it stripped down again for the problem not to be solved.

 

Any advise as to what this leak might be would be greatley appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Pete.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi Pete. Sorry to hear you're having problems. Unfortunately I may be going to add to them. If the oil isn't coming from the camshaft oil seal (have you seen the engine running with the cover off?) then the only other place it could be from is the head joint itself, where pressure oil passes up through it to lubricate the camshaft and valve gear. The only cure for this is a new gasket which means the head has to come off. I really can't think where else it could be from. If it's not too bad I would be inclined to just live with it.

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings and if anybody can tell me I'm wrong then I'd be very glad to hear it!

 

Cheers mate! Hope I'm wrong! :D

[r6.pete]

Hi Pete. Sorry to hear you're having problems. Unfortunately I may be going to add to them. If the oil isn't coming from the camshaft oil seal (have you seen the engine running with the cover off?) then the only other place it could be from is the head joint itself, where pressure oil passes up through it to lubricate the camshaft and valve gear. The only cure for this is a new gasket which means the head has to come off. I really can't think where else it could be from. If it's not too bad I would be inclined to just live with it.

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings and if anybody can tell me I'm wrong then I'd be very glad to hear it!

 

Cheers mate! Hope I'm wrong! :D

 

Hi Colin,

 

thanks for your reply, but if its leaking oil from the head wouldnt there be oil and water mixed ? as i can see no signs of oil in the water expansion tank???.

 

Im hoping it may be something simpler

 

Thanks again. Pete.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Not neccessarily. The pressurised oil from the pump passes up to the head through a passage near the corner of the block. It has its own part of the gasket which is outwith the water jacket. This part of the joint can fail and leak oil without the water or combustion parts being affected. If you think about it, what else can it be? You say it's not the camshaft seal so that leaves oil supply and return. The return oil is not under any pressure so that's unlikely.

 

It's actually quite a common failure, I've had two fail like that in my 33 years of motoring, one a 2.0 Montego and the other was my sons 1.4i ZX. As I say, if it's not too serious and you can live with it it will probably last for ages.

 

Cheers. Hope this helps :D

[iannez]

these engines have a cast alloy cam box and then a plastic rocker cover ontop of the head. you will need to take the timing covers and the egr pipe of to get it off so its not a straight forward job. very common fault on the dw8 engines. had to remove and re-seal the cambox on my own berlingo when i bought it. dont think the factory sealer is up to the job.