Any ideas on this leak? *Update*

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 1:52 pm

**I didn't embed the images in the first post just to help with loading images... so it doesn't bog anyone's computer/phone down**

Was trying to do some searching on here, looked for axle seals, head gasket, etc.... not really sure what is causing this leak, for sure, because it is kind of all over the place.... and just wondering if, by the pics, anyone has any definitive answer...

Thanks!

Here's the two axles... passenger and then driver's side.
http://i48.tinypic.com/12210dc.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/ao9xy8.jpg

This is the head gasket area, right?..
http://i46.tinypic.com/3498k21.jpg

Oil pan area.
http://i49.tinypic.com/x3u0ci.jpg

And I read somewhere that if you can pull the axle in and out that it isn't seated properly.... well I can only pull it maybe half an inch out, then push it back in (easily), but not sure if that's enough to cause the trans fluid to leak (which I use 10w-40 HM Mobil 1 for my "gear fluid").
First picture is with it pushed in, and the second is with it pulled out a little bit..
http://i49.tinypic.com/xddpud.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/1o3vyd.jpg

Anyway, any ideas would be great... I work at an oil change shop, so I really don't mind adding oil whenever I need to, nor do I mind doing the work it takes to stop the leak.

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Thu Jan 10, 2013 2:05 pm

I'd clean everything down as best you can and drive it a bit then look again, its really hard to chase down a leak when everything is covered in fluid.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 12:49 am

Have you had the axles out recently? The seals can get damaged removing the axle sometimes.

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:15 am

r/tguy02 wrote:I'd clean everything down as best you can and drive it a bit then look again, its really hard to chase down a leak when everything is covered in fluid.

Best place to start.

Get some brake cleaner or something similar since it will blast all of that away without much effort.

Hudson_Neon · Post by **Hudson_Neon** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 12:24 pm

not really trying to make a plug for my work, but advance has bogo on brake cleaner. buy 6 cans, walk out with a whole case

your driver's axle has some seepage, but obviously can't cause the issue with the passenger side. i also have had this issue and it's honestly not that expensive to replace almost everything. i redid all my threaded parts on the back of the block, replaced the pan gasket, replaced the valve cover gasket, and all that left was rear main and head gasket. you could start with the other things as well for not too much of a dent in the wallet

also, just a word of advice... look into these things

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 4:35 pm

These being the "tough guards", are they any better than the red FRAM's? We started ordering Mobil 1's, so I'll run that. And we have an outstanding commercial account thru Advance.

Anyway, I'll spray everything down when I get a moment... It's raining today, so it may be next week when I do this. Just wondering if anyone had similar issues. I hope my trans/gear fluid isn't low...

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 5:04 pm

hmm, thats funny because that happened to me recently and I found it to be my fram filter. My buddy had an extra older unused fram but the same size so i tossed that on. I haven't had an issue since. I had a noticable oil leak. it was dripping in the parking lot but underneath it looked exactly like yours.

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Fri Jan 11, 2013 5:12 pm

Ya, I have used two different types. The Mobil1 will be the third, and I haven't tried the Pure One yet (which I've read is the best one).

We'll see if I get around to getting it fixed... I really want to get the Dart, so we'll see

Oh, and I have ALLDATA... which is awesome. Wish I had it before I started my timing belt job. Oh well

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 5:24 am

I couldn't tell at first but now I see that's dirty oil, the trans oil would be cleaner. One time we had the rubber gasket from an old oil filter get stuck and shoot oil everywhere, but it was gushing oil.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Jan 12, 2013 2:14 pm

VC gasket, Cam position sensor. The VC gasket leak can seep behind the exhaust manifold, and give the appearance it is dry back there. Mine was leaking for some time before I finally just changed it, because I couldn't find any other source.

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 6:39 pm

Alright, did a very very thorough cleanup of the underside. Cleaned the edges of the oil pan, the steering rack was coated in gunk (you can actually see the silver now), power steering cooler had a bunch of stuff between the fins, etc. Started it up for about 15 minutes, went downstairs and this is what I found... looks to be the head gasket?

Fresh oil on the oil pan to transmission brace.

Fresh oil above the oil pan (can see some on that one bolt).

This is near that green plug... oil pressure? Above the passenger axle.

And if this is the head gasket... what kind of (pain in the arse) job am I lookin at?

BTW, occasional mentioned the cam sensor. The cam sensor was wiped and cleaned and a new gasket was installed. The crank sensor is brand new... like a couple months old.

**EDIT**

Here's another picture... this one is below the cam position sensor. I already sprayed it down with brake cleaner, but what is this for? It was coated... and the trans below this sensor has a good bit of grit from this.

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Mon Jan 14, 2013 6:51 pm

Could be valve cover gasket or the oil pressure switch. They crack and leak sometimes. Could also be the rear main seal, or input shaft seal on the trans?

Sensor on the side of the head is the coolant temp sensor.

RayWolf · Post by **RayWolf** » Tue Jan 15, 2013 8:11 pm

the oil pressure switch went, all to common. you may also need to replace the connector because they get saturated with oil.
and that coolant switch looks fine if nothing is around it wet like the switch it might be leaking itself

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:34 am

i say cam sensor or oil pressure sensor is leaking

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 11:03 am

I'm not sure about the cam sensor because its only a couple months old, plus I took it off and put copper sealant around the edge about a month ago.

Where is the oil pressure switch/sensor?

Hudson_Neon · Post by **Hudson_Neon** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 11:05 am

here

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 11:13 am

The green sensor?

Hudson_Neon · Post by **Hudson_Neon** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 11:49 am

yup. if i were you, i'd just go grab one of them and a valve cover gasket from the parts store. neither one is that spendy

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 11:53 am

Does it matter if the plug was never soaked? Cause when I sprayed the bottom side the other day... That green was lookin brand new almost lol. And ya, those 2 things I can knock out in the shop easily.

Hudson_Neon · Post by **Hudson_Neon** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:48 pm

nah, just clean the plug up with some brake clean

g_force58 · Post by **g_force58** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 1:30 pm

My thoughts are vcg, cam sensor or oil pressure switch. I installed 2 cam sensors in the last 3 months. The first one was a BWD from Advance and it cracked internally which let it leak oil thru the elect. connection. The leak pattern was nothing like you have tho. with the quanity of oil you have my next thought would be the oil pressure sender.

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 2:36 pm

to clarify, can you get a shot of the back side of the head?

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:18 pm

Ya, I'll get one tomorrow. I'll also get another look at the Cam sensor, since it got a good cleaning on Monday. But yesterday I did notice a good bit of oil on top of the transmission (below the cam sensor).

Which brand should I get? Also, I'm using a Mobil 1 OF now, so we'll see how that holds up.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 9:17 pm

I replaced the cam sensor o-ring twice, and ended up cleaning with brake clean, putting a bit of RTV in the groove, pressing the o-ring into that, and installing. Finally cured my CPS leak. I used Mopar o-rings. Still have the original sensor.

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:06 am

i agree, mopar cam sensors and seals are the best

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:17 am

Well in my case, it still wouldn't seal even with the Mopar o-ring. Possibly the sensor being original, it was/is warped just enough it won't seal without help. But does what it is supposed to do, so I can't see spending $$$ just to fix a pesky leak when a $4 tube of RTV does just fine.

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:09 am

So I can't really get a decent picture of the oil pressure switch... hope this is enough. I know it's raining today, but it seems there's a lot of buildup on the exhaust shield portion behind the switch.

If I go about replacing this... does anyone have any suggestions on how the heck to get it out? lol... All Data doesn't really give me much.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:55 am

You can get an oil sender socket from AutoZone. IIRC, it is 1/2 drive, so if you don't have a 1/2 drive ratchet, you will need to pick up an adapter if you have a 3/8 drive.

I am thinking a 1" deepwell socket fits too, but it may be 15/16, or 7/8. It is something in that range.

I reach down from the top, but you may need to remove the battery to get better access.

Slide the red lock up, and then you cn unlatch the connector.

Edit:

DJ CptnCrnch wrote:I got off my ass to look at the part. The part that i have says Performance Tool, #w80590 size is 1-1 1/16 hope that helps

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 10:39 am

i always took mine out from the bottom. used an open end wrench or adjustable. but then again i have a LTH and access from the top isnt really an option anymore

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:18 am

Changed my valve cover gasket, as well as the oil pressure switch/sensor, yesterday. Gonna post some pics of the top end.. Glad to say that there is absolutely no sludge or damage... For a motor that has well over 100k miles... It looks friggin immaculate.

Gonna clean up any oil leak leftover tomorrow, and see if there is another leak elsewhere.

*EDIT*

Here's the pictures. First is of the underside of the valve cover. Second one is of the motor. And the last one I tried to get a shot of the sensor... But I gave up lol.

2GN.ORG

Any ideas on this leak? Update

Any ideas on this leak? Update

oil leak