Oil Leak Trans & Other locations
 

Hey everyone,

I'm really looking forward to building my FD up and getting her road and track worthy, but I have some ways to go.

My FD was giving good oil pressure until I blew my clutch. After that, I had a shop replace the clutch, which lead to a constant oil leak and lower pressure for a while. I finally have a garage and tools and was able to get around to looking under it. I have a few pictures, but I'm having trouble locating the actual source of the leaks. It's not just a single one where the bellhousing connects to the engine, there's a few. I've done some forum searches, and I've checked the manual, but even then I'm having trouble finding some of these areas and what the possible sources are.

I'm still not entirely savvy when it comes to cars and mechanic stuff so I'd appreciate any suggestions/info you guys have. I'm learning slowly, I don't usually have a lot of time to get under my car.
Thanks in advance.

This picture is above the front trailing spark plug. From what I've seen, this might be the knock sensor? However, my knock sensor seems to be working fine, so I'm not sure as to why it would be leaking. Any input?
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...57fdd124f2.jpg

This I believe is covered in oil either due to the oil pressure sensor or a bad oil filter, but if anyone knows if this piece in particular likes to leak please let me know.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2b53506782.jpg

Does this have a gasket or something that's usually on? These parts only started leaking after the shop took my trans off for a bit.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fbb82f31ba.jpg

Also, these last two pics are just pools of oil. I'm not sure if it's because the transmission wasn't torqued on properly or what, but it mostly appears to be on the right side. If I need to take the trans off to replace the gasket I'd like to know.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...5e32cea7c0.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ed94cf760e.jpg

*1st. picture, yes, that looks like your KS. They will leak. How do you know it's working?
* 2nd picture, that's a coupler for a coolant hose. It doesn't appear to be leaking. First suspect is that it's a result of being under the oil filter pedestal and just some oil that gets dripped during changes. It could be the oil pressure sender. You'll just have to follow it up or thoroughly clean the area and watch it.
*3rd. picture, that's your starter. The oil/stain appears to be incidental but since the starter doesn't contain oil, it's not leaking. Probably blow-back from whatever is leaking down from pedestal or sender.
*4th and 5th picture, probably an oil pan leak. Or it could be leaking down from your turbos...but it doesn't appear to be your transmission. Again, you'll have to follow it forward and up. I doubt removing or replacing the transmission had anything to do with that leak. It's more likely that it's just more noticeable now that the transmission casing is all nice and clean.

Thank you! This is great info.
I know the KS works because my PowerFC gets a good response from it, as long as that's where it's getting it from. I suppose I can get a new one to see if that can stop it.
As for the others, I'll be sure to see about changing the oil pan gasket and checking the oil filter/pressure sender to see if I can stop the constant leak going on.

Really appreciate the info, thanks again!

Whomever sealed the transmission inspection plate (4th pic) didn't know what they were doing. The bell housing does not contain fluid that would need sealing. If it has fluid, that means the oil seal at the transmission or the oil seal at the engine are bad. Both should have been replaced when you replaced your clutch. Remove the inspection plate (clean off the sealant) and see if you have any fluid inside the bell housing. The oil on the motor mount arms is probably from the oil pan. The motor mount arm bolts go through the oil pan and sometimes you will get seepage through them. As for the coolant hose, that's probably oil coming from the oil pedestal. Oil leaks from the pedestal and pan are more annoyances. Oil leaks from the oil seals in the bell housing are more problematic because it can get on your clutch and you'll loose clamping force.

This is also great info. My car needed to have absolutely no leaks for shipment, so they just ran a bead of sealant around all areas covered in it. I took the inspection plate off, and a bit of oil drooled off while doing so. However, looking inside and swiping my finger around just makes it seem dirty, not oily. I've left it open for a while now and no extra oil has leaked out after cleaning around it.

It really looks like it's coming from the oil pan, which after doing some research is a pain to fix. I don't have a hoist but I have a jack, so maybe I can try to lift the trans enough to get the pan out. Busy taking all the emissions out so I haven't gotten around to checking the pedestal, but I will eventually.

Thanks again!

If ANY oil cane out of the inspection hole I’d keep checking it. That might mean a rear engine seal. Not expensive or difficult...just a lot of work.
You will need to drop the subframe for clearance to remove the pan. And even then it’s really hard to get a lasting seal doing it in the car. Honestly if it doesn’t get any worse than it appears in the pictures you may want to just live with it. But avoiding oil for shipping explains why they went wild with the sealant...even the bellhousing/rear iron which isn’t needed...normally.

I'm keeping a close eye on it. I think I'll once I get everything back together I'll run it with the inspection plate off for a second and see if any oil comes out.
I'll likely have to drop the subframe, but I'm thinking of getting Banzai's pan brace to last a bit longer without leaks. But yeah, I'm just surprised it shipped even with all the sealant not actually stopping the leak, cause it's still leaking whenever it starts.

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...-tech-1039223/

https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-l...SABEgL6nvD_BwE

Recommend a new oil pan while you're at it. The brace is the band aid for the injury, which is the pan. Might as well fix too.

The engine/trans oil seals themselves are very easy. It's getting to them that's the problem.

Good luck

^Good links Tom. Forgot about the engine support. And if he insists on trying it with the engine in the car he'll need that. Biggest concern and what's made difficult in that situation is getting an oil-free CLEAN surface. Oil continues to creep/drip/slide down out of the engine. But I disagree on the worth of the pan brace. YRMV

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...0c0796388a.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e7b17964f6.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...46da70709b.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...1a280382e3.jpg
I hope it's ok to discuss my oil leak in this topic as well. I've been having some oil leak issues as well, and we thought we had it figured out but the fd is still leaking. The subframe was removed and a new gasket was placed. After starting the engine and letting it run for a while it wasn't leaking. However, after driving home for about 200km, and storing the car for two days I yet again found oil underneath the car at the front.

I've included pictures of how it was leaking before, after it got fixed and now that it's leaking again. I hope someone can help me figure this out.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...737f1e968f.jpg
This is what you have in that area.
Front iron oil banjo.
Oil filler neck.
Or oil O ring from dowel pin from front iron and front rotor housing. Hopefully thats not it.

Heion83, did you use one of those pan gaskets or a gasket maker? If it IS leaking from the pan and a gasket was used that’s likely a big part of your problem. Those gaskets are junk and nobody I know that’s familiar with the car will use them. Refer to those links Tom posted above.

If it happens to be that, will it be hard to fix? What do you suggest?

Good question, since I had it fixed by someone. I will have to check it out. I'll get back to you as soon as I know more.

The picture you posted shows the oil pan in the bottom and the oil leak is comming down from the top of the engine.
Usually if its leaking from the front plate dowel, it could be cracked,. Cracked iron = rebuild/replace the iron or someone might had been able to fix. Thats the worse case.
I would inspect the oil filler neck for cracks, maybe some dripage from filling up with oil.
Check the banjo area and between the iron and rotor housing.

If it's cracked wouldn't you lose compression? After testing compression it was a steady 6.8 bar and the engine performs like it should. Someone also told me to check the filler and perhaps the o ring. Hm I guess we'll find out this Saturday cause I won't be able to get the car to the shop till then. I'll make sure to check the locations thoroughly, thanks for the advice. I'll get back to you as soon as I know more.

I'd look at the rear main seal. If it wasn't replace correctly or an aftermarket one was used they are sure to leak.

Thanks man, I've written down a lot of points you guys mentioned. Going to check it out during the weekend and I'll let you guys know.