OIL LEAKS - VERY CONFUSED & FRUSTRATED!!

[jdmak68]

I have a 2001 9-5 Aero with 115K miles. Awesome car and never a problem until three weeks ago. Started with a few drops of oil on the ground and then ended up with a 6" x 6" spill. I replaced the two washers on the timing belt tensioner and torqued to spec. I replace the PCV update kit along with the new oil trap. That did not do it. I then replaced the Oil Pressure sensor. That did not stop it. I then pulled the crank pulley and replaced the O ring on the oil pump and the red seal with brand new parts. I sprayed everything down with Brake Clean. I then drove the car around the block about a .5 mile, parked it in the garage and the next morning, no oil leaks. I was happy, until I drove it back and forth to work the next day which was about 80 miles round trip. Parked it in the garage, and the next morning the oil leak was back.

I am totally confused. I even pulled the crank pulley off again and put a new O ring on because I thought I could have pinched the first one. Still leaks!

Maybe somebody else has an idea:
1) I put the crank pulley bolt back on with a 1/2" impact wrench (battery) which is capable og 180 ft lbs of torque at five seconds
2) could the red seal not be perfectly square? Should I pull it iut and coat the inside with gasket seal first?
3) Could being under load cause oil to leak from somewhere else on the engine?

What am I missing????

[fathom39]

I know, I know. I have the same car w/ 129K miles. Indie looked at it and said leak only happens under boost and that culprit is timing cover gasket - big dollars. There is a guy, SWEDECAR, over on the other forum that has posted a similar diagnosis on this topic.

When I did PCV #6 a year and a half ago the oil leak disappeared. Now that it has returned and only leaks under boost, I am considering dismantiling PCV #6 and checking for a blockage. Also, I recently replaced the head bolts and found the two rightmost bolts were completely wet with oil when I removed them. I am getting tired of cleaning brake dust AND oil from my front wheel, not to mention having to park on the street and off of friends' driveways. But I will not spend big bucks on this one.

[toxicavenger]

so where exactly is it leaking at on the car?

[toxicavenger]

sorry about messing your post up for some reason or another it did multiples.;oops:

[bkrell]

What was that about???:o

[oxbullseye]

I just finished putting a head gasket in my 99 9-5 SE and the right-most bolts on my cylinder head were also not tight (they weren't hand loose but I didn't need the Gorilla breaker bar to move them, just a 3/8" drive).

A leak, especially from the backside of the engine, is an awful thing to try to locate. I hate to suggest you keep spending money on this, but as I recall a number of people have had leaks from the valve cover gasket where the little half-moon shaped inserts are. That would explain why you didn't see any after the 1/2 mile drive but did after the 80-mile one.....

Good luck, and please post up what the ultimate culprit is for future reference...

[jdmak68]

I just finished spraying down the engine with Brake Clean. I'll wait til the morning and come into my development another way which is a 1/4 mile hill that is very steep. I'll keep the car slow, but make sure the turbo is engaged. Hopefully I can get it home to see where the leak is.

I'll keep posting.

[Al's Red Wagon]

It's obvious that you have a leak somewhere...but...

http://www.genuinesaab.com/catalog/images/ckvent7.jpg

hose and check valve (labeled "c") - perhaps this has perished on your vehicle...This goes from the TB to he crankcase...

[toxicavenger]

I had posted a replay and it did mutiples of like 7 post. someone must have fixed it I guess. :confused: What was that about???:o

[bkrell]

I fixed it. I was just wondering what had happened!

[toxicavenger]

I don't know I posted it and then when it applied it I was like WTF.

[jdmak68]

Dear Al's Red Wagon,

I replaced all these hoses as part of the new PCV update kit. I also replaced the oil trap and it came with the new oil fill spout.

I have been doing a process of elimination.

Another idea I had. Could the Crank Pulley be bad or worn out and I am not getting a tight fit over the oil pump?

I am going to run the car this morning to check.

[Al's Red Wagon]

Dear Al's Red Wagon,

I replaced all these hoses as part of the new PCV update kit. I also replaced the oil trap and it came with the new oil fill spout.

I have been doing a process of elimination.

Another idea I had. Could the Crank Pulley be bad or worn out and I am not getting a tight fit over the oil pump?

I am going to run the car this morning to check.

Sorry I cant help with crank pullies...;oops: ButI would check that that valve allows flow from crank to TB and stops flow in the other direction...

[toxicavenger]

so do you ever see what area it was leaking from?

[Tailspin]

I would be interested to know as well...