I *think* it's oil (possibly also coolant) and it's leaking out of the front pulley (main pulley I believe) on my race car with an '85 12A engine in it.

What is the most probable source of the problem? Right now, it seems like it's leaking out and spraying ALL over the inside of the engine bay and hood when the engine is running (because the pulley is turning). It seems to be getting worse, so I haven't been running it recently.

 

Surely you can tell whether it's oil or coolant?

If it's coolant than it's probably leaking out of the weep hole on the water pump and down onto the main pulley.

Haven't ever heard of oil leaking from the main pulley though...

 

yeah my water pump went not long ago, bearings were stuffed so had to replace it, ud know though cause it will be leaking COOLANT straight out of the small hole underneath, but i never got spray anywhere, certainly not oil, so not sure what ur prob is if its doing that

 

The main oil seal is probably old or the tension spring in it is getting weak. This is common with high mile engines from what I seen.

 

when my waterpump went It froze at 80mph/ 4000 rpm
= sudden white smoke from engine, scared the **** out of me.

 

it's oil, coming from the main pulley I believe.. any help?

 

Theres a seal there in the front cover thats bad, remove the pulley and replace the seal...

 

that's it? cool.. I'll order the sucker and replace it then I guess.. good deal

 

Be cautious young Skywalker.

http://mazdatrix.com/faq/pulley.htm

-bp-

 

Yeah pay attn to the mazdatrix FAQ, and you'll be ok. But right before you start, pull in and out on the front pulley, you will feel some movement (barely little but theres some .0015-.0019 in) When you put it back together, if you have some movement then your ok. If it doesnt move at all then you screwed up...

 

wow.. thanks for that bit o' knowledge.. that could have been a real mess..

I guess holding the clutch in makes sure that that thing doesn't do that?

 

pushing the clutch in releases the tension against the drive train so it doesnt push everything forward
and thus making the bearing pop out

 

Oh.

by the way what's the name of the seal? And while I'm "in" there, is there anything else I should replace as long as I'm there?

 

Front crankcase seal, front mail seal, front cover pulley seal etc . I forget what they call it. But the only things you will see will be the alt/water pump belt, the water pump and thats about it...

Might wanna examine the OMP closely while your there, but thats about all you will see.

Pry the old seal out with a flathead, small block of wood and tap lightly the new one in..

 

front cover oil seal sound right? On the mazdacomp website

 

yea ive been there done that and this was after i reinstalled the motor so a MAJOR pita.. the counter weight will hit the front cover when u push in the clutch OUCH