[onetime]

Hi all i have what i think is a big oil leak above the alternator, it seam to be covered in it, thier is also some signs of dampness along the chassis below the steering line. I am thinking oil pressure switch, can any body confirm this as the only place it could be leaking from that area. It also idles roughly on start up for about 10-20secs then its fine.
any ideas would be great.
PS don't think it is the rocker cover gasket as can not see any leakage from there. it not the oil filter but around that area, i am using alot of oil at moment.
cheers
Onetime

 

[RRToadHall]

There are all sorts of things in that area that can leak in that area. I would clean it really well and keep track.

 

[onetime]

Thanks for the advice, a job for the weekend the wife going to be happy!! think i will buy a patent pressure switch anyway only £2.

 

[onetime]

Sorry guys just realised it is above the starter motor not the alternator.
cheers
Onetime

 

[keithdixon]

I've been scratching my head all day thinking what the hell was above the alternator

My only thought was your bonnet was leaking oil!!

 

[RRToadHall]

My only thought was your bonnet was leaking oil!!

Being British it would be entirely possible! :lol:

Above the starter I would vote for a leaky valve cover gasket. Especially the inside rear bolt. If it isn't the valve cover gasket the valley gasket clamp at the rear like to come loose. Have fun taking the coils and intake off to tighten that one. :mrgreen:

 

[onetime]

Hi i assume by valve cover gasket you mean rocker cover!! check rave and i cannot find any mention valve covers.
cheers
Onetime

 

[RRToadHall]

Valve cover, rocker cover... same thing. :shhh:

 

[onetime]

Hi thanks for the advice, i have just had the head gasket done about month ago, do you thing they fooked it by not tightening something up, should i take it back any thoughts would be helpfull.
cheers
onetime

 

[RRToadHall]

? Just tighten the buggers up yourself.

 

[paul.adshead]

? Just tighten the buggers up yourself.

Just not too much. The torque value on the rocker cover bolts is like 4lbft or something equally tiny. I re-tightened mine a week or so ago, due to a small leak flowing down the heads/block.

 

[Dan_UK_1984]

Agreed with all of the above. If it was your oil pressure switch you would have oil dripping down off the oil filter as I found.

Dan

 

[PaulP38A]

Yep, having spent a fair amount of time recently in that area I reckon it's your rocker cover bolts or RH rocker cover gasket. Difference was that my leak was coolant :shock: all over the starter motor.

After replacing the head gaskets..., I can recall that the torque setting for the rocker cover bolts is 6lbft - not 26lbft as I found when I broke one of them after mis-reading the manual!

It could also be that the gasket for the RH rocker cover is warped or broken. Easy enough to replace... use a bit of high temp gasket maker to help seal it properly.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[onetime]

thankyou all for the advice been out to it today it is definatly all over the starter motor, i wiped/cleaned it last night and it back again,it also hitting the exhaust so i get burning smell. Now here the thing, i have checked the rocker cover for leaks finger test and it appears dry the bolts on the outside are tight inside cannot check as i need to get a socket that will fit, but there is no oil on the inside of the joint.
It appears to be lower than the rocket cover gasket and it is only on one side, has any body got any ideas before i have to take off the coils and check the valley gasket bolt, i would hate to do all that work and be in the same situation.
I cannot think about what else will leak in that area.
cheers
onetime

 

[paul.adshead]

The only thing making the oil move is gravity and windage. Follow the oil upward and forwards to where it stops.

Wipe it off every couple of days and make a note of where it keeps re-appearing from.

 

[onetime]

an update, took off the chamber with the 4.6 on today (cannot remember the name) moved the coil pack, loosened the fuel rail to get at the valley gasket bolt needed a quarter turn to tighten, then decided to check all the others on the valley all needed a quarter turn to tighten them. Took about 1 hour, hope this solves the issues. :mrgreen:
Now here’s the thing, the indie I took it to either torqued them to the manual but over time they needed a little more (gasket worn etc) :? or they are shxte athur jobs mechanics’ hoping to cash in on my return visit :twisted: , or maybe i am being paranoid range rovers and paranoia seam to go together,(that slight knocking must be a slipped liner) if you understand you know what i mean, if you don't you will do after a few years of ownership. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Anyway thanks to all who pointed me the right direction.
cheers
Onetime