NA8 Oil Leaks

[danman]

I've been chasing a few oils leaks around the engine bay and have got close to isolating them. I managed to locate one at the top rear of the motor with the cam shaft 'half moons'.

The other leak is coming from the front of the engine around the crank pulley. Is there anything down there that is prone to leaking?

Thanks in advance

[1red5]

probably CAS o-ring, but change the cam cover gasket while you are at it. Easy to do both.
Leak at the front might not be oil, it may be coolant from your water pump.

Check the heater hoses at the back of the engine as oil leaks onto it causing it to deteriorate. I would change them as well, or at least the one that goes from engine into the heater core in the cabin.

[danman]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm pretty sure teh front one is oil. I assume you can get these pasr from a Mazda dealer.

The point you make regarding the heater line is interesting though as for the past few times we've driven the car when we park it up it seems to loose a lot of water (not coolant) from a pipe near the gerabox!

[1red5]

Not sure where the front oil leak can be from. Crank seal is the only one I can think of off the top of my head, perhaps sump gasket?

Yeah check the heater hoses post-haste! Check my post in the technical guides section about the heater hose bursting. Not nice.

You can certainly buy the gasket and o-ring from Mazda, but once again, fairly exy. From memory, the o-ring is $8. Whilst that doesnt sound expensive, you gotta think that its only a little circular piece of rubber.

There is a company called Eristic that makes very good quality gasket/seal sets for most car makes. Do a search on eBay US and you'll find what you want at a VERY good price.

[Adam_NAclubman]

I went to an o-ring specialist and bought half a dozen for $8 in some special type of rubber/silicon or something thats good for a few hundred degrees (wasn't sure exactly what temps if gets to back there, thought I should play it safe). I'll try and find the dimensions again

[Bauer]

The other leak is coming from the front of the engine around the crank pulley. Is there anything down there that is prone to leaking?

Thanks in advance

sounds like it could be the crank seal

if the timing belt was recently done and the seal replaced, maybe it wasnt fitted properly.
or if the timing belt is due, make sure you replace the seal "while you are down there"
or maybe when the belt has been done in the past there was no sign of a leak so it was left alone.

Mine is looking like is has a small leak from there so I will not hesitate to replace the seal while I am in that area.

[danman]

How hard is the crank seal to replace?

I1red5 can you give me a link to the post you discuss above? I was not able to track it down. I think I need to do something as there is a hissing noise from under the passenger side of the dash now!

[93_Clubman]

I think I need to do something as there is a hissing noise from under the passenger side of the dash now!

Sounds like it might have a Mania type CAI.

[danman]

The intake seems pretty standard, eg the black plastic bodied thing

[Mr Morlock]

Have a look at a Haynes manual and it will describe replacement or simply pay someone to do it for you- most people take the latter route. I would not waste time buying standard components from overseas sources when you can get them readily in your neighbourhood. BSC are a trusted and local supplier of o rings seals etc ( they are ISO 9001)