Crankcase to Cylinder block oil leak

[Bainesy]

My S3 Fulvia has developed a serious oil leak from the back left corner of the cylinder block to crankcase gasket, there appears to be a heavy seep of oil leaking from here. I believe that I will have to remove the motor to fix this leak, or is a retighten only job.  Oil is everywhere...

Also I found all the bolts loose!  The corner in question were easily turned by finger,  are these coming loose a known problem? 

Thanks Keven

[simonandjuliet]

I suspect that you already know the answer ! I have seen it before where several of the bolts have stripped the threads in the crankcase. They are difficult to get at with a torque wrench so they get over-tightened

I think that the only solution is to remove the engine and then a major strip down and fit helicoils or better still the "time-sert" (I think they're called) system

[fay66]

My S3 Fulvia has developed a serious oil leak from the back left corner of the cylinder block to crankcase gasket, there appears to be a heavy seep of oil leaking from here. I believe that I will have to remove the motor to fix this leak, or is a retighten only job.  Oil is everywhere...

Also I found all the bolts loose!  The corner in question were easily turned by finger,  are these coming loose a known problem? 

Thanks Keven

If you look at a sectioned diagram of the engine, forward of the left rear, opposite the oil filter base is where the oil gallery is and where the oil is pumped up to the top of the engine.
This may explain where all the oil is coming from
Brian
8227   

[chriswgawne]

I had a very similar problem on our GTE under the exhaust manifold side where over time the pressure in oilway had pushed out the heavy duty gasket.
The only solution is to take the engine out, disassemble it and  separate the block from the crankcase and fit a new gasket......AND put a rollpin in the oilway to support the gasket which was a Lancia modification back in the day I understand.
It sounds like a rotten job but actually its is not too bad at all unless you also have to deal with stripped threads.
Has your engine been apart recently do you know?
Chris

[Bainesy]

Thanks all, I probably knew the answer as you say!  No I don't believe the engine has been apart for the last ten years.  Oil pressure is 70 at high revs, compression is (or was) 175, 175, 180 and 170.  she was running sweet and strong up to that moment.

[davidwheeler]

Just hang on!   This happened to me a while after I had rebuilt the engine.  I simply tightened up the bolts in situ and cured it.  Worth a try before you take the engine out.

[Bainesy]

Righto David...THANK YOU!

[Neil]

Also check the oil filter housing, mine leaked on the oil pressure sender, worth checking too.

[stanley sweet]

I wonder if it was apart sometime in the past and the head never had the second re-torqueing it should have?

[Bainesy]

They were all completely loose.  I think previous owner did indeed forget the re-torque.  I had to grind and reshape a spanner to reach the middle back bolt... bit all done now.  Need a few pipes and rocker gasket before I can retest...watch this space chaps and thanks for the support.  Keven

[simonandjuliet]

Excellent news, just another thought because I was fitting my block today - are the bolts the correct length ? There are 4 different bolts holding down the block (5 on a 1600 engine)

The ones that could easily be confused are in the photo

The longer ones are underneath on the exhaust side

[Bainesy]

Thankyou team, great support.  I have re-torqued the bolts and tested the engine across the rev range and it does not leak!  happy days.  Thanks for all the advice.  Keven