Another what is this thread?
 

I have a pretty bad oil leak coming from the front cover. I cleaned everything off and ran it on the hoist the other night. Found that it would only leak while under boost. I could see it run down from this sensor.

http://photos.l3.facebook.com/photos...39607_4679.jpg

http://photos.l3.facebook.com/photos...39608_4992.jpg

Seems to be located just to the right of the crank. Could it be a crank angle sensor and is it possible to get oil coming from there?

I have searched in the Mazda Manual and can't seem to even find a part number for it.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Yes, those are your crank angle sensors. It's impossible for them to leak, I'd look at the oil feed banjo bolt at the top corner of the front iron, located above those sensors. That's your likely culprit.

front cover gasket leak at the corners is common

Is there a way to see this oil feed without taking things off? Is it behind the alternator area?

It's located in front of the area where the oil filler neck bolts up. On my single turbo setup (with no a/c, p/s, c/c etc) I can see it pretty easily. On a closer to stock setup, it's probably harder to get to.

monsterbox makes a point, it could be your front cover, which is another common leak.....not a fun fix with the motor in the engine bay either.

Front main seal?

I had my engine facing down on the stand for a night and the next morning there was a huge puddle of oil that had dripped from the front main seal. I was stupid not to change it the FIRST time the engine was out, along with the rear stationary gear oring.


=Ben

Alright thanks guys. Guess i'll have to start taking things apart to find exacly where its coming from.

Is the front cover really that bad of a job to do inside the car?

GoodfellasFD can probably answer this better than myself, but basically you have the endplay/thrust washer situation to figure out and then trying to reseal the oilpan.


Personally i would just pull the engine and do it on the stand, IF you are familiar with the process it doesnt take more than 1.5 hours to pull the engine(some guys will probably laugh at my personal best haha). I think you may have to drain oil/coolant anyways.




=Ben

As ben mentioned, it's not a job I'd want to do with the motor in the car.