So I just had my radiator replaced cause it crapped out on me and that went smoothly. However I noticed oil leaking out from somewhere while the carwas sitting in my garage waiting for the new radiator. I checked the oil level after I swapped radiators and it was empty so I filled it up. Now there is still an oil leak somewhere and am 99% sure it was caused by the radiator initially failing. I cleaned everything off as much as I can so I can figure out where it’s coming from. Any ideas where to start looking?

 

Buy a telescoping inspection mirror and a good flashlight and look for the leak.

 

Agree with Cleric.

Hard to tell you where to start looking without more info. I'd suggest starting with where its pooled under the car and looking up from there, then follow the path until you find where its coming from.

 

Found it. Looks like the right valve cover gasket is leaking 😒

 

Can you take a pic and post what it looks like?

 

I’m taking everything apart now but it’s kinda hard to get a pic. Once I get the upper lower plenum and wiring outta the way I’ll post one

 

Just make sure it was actually coming from the VC gasket and not the cam sensor o-ring. Since you're already taking it apart you're probably past the point of no return but on the back of the engine at the top there's technically TWO different places it could leak. One takes 5 minutes to fix (cam sensor o-ring) one takes considerably longer (VC).

The VC is the more likely suspect though.

 

It got too dark by the time I got the wiring out of the way but I could see tons of oil buildup of the edges top valve cover. And I could see where it’s leaking down the engine bay and on to the ground lol I wish it was one of those easier fixes

 

Any idea on how to get the circled bolt out? It’s the last one but I can’t get the wiring harness out of the way enough 😭

 

Heres the back corner where I noticed it. Leaking front and back corners

 

You're going to have to have another person move both the fuel line and wiring harness to the side while you get in there. I've done this twice and it's definitely a pain in the *** to get that bolt but not impossible. Of course make sure the line and harness are pulled to the side only enough for you to get your hands in there, you do not want to crimp the tubing!

I used a small 1/4" drive u-joint with the 10mm socket on the end. You can then carefully get the socket on the end of the nut, and turn the driver at an angle. Apply enough pressure and you wont have to remove the driver due to the u-joint slipping off the socket.

 

Unbolt that fuel EVAP stuff above that bolt I then used a piece of twine and tied it up to those empty holes in the battery box sheet metal above it. Basically you just bend the EVAP/fuel stuff up out of the way to get that corner of the VC off.

The bolt itself is easy, put a swivel on the end of your socket.

 

Also before you go any further you need to disconnect your battery. Always disconnect the battery before you go unplugging electrical stuff.