# Oil leak behind exhaust manifold? **URL:** \ **Category:** SON240sx Automotive\ **Created:** [April 29, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999 "2009-04-29T18:04:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dan_tha_man_103)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/1 "2009-04-29T18:04:33Z")
Seems I have an oil leak somewhere near the top of the engine. Got Canadian tire to put some dye in and take a black light to it, they say they cant see it because its behind the alternator. Are there any problem areas I should look out for? Maybe some suggestions on where to look? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Specialedition](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/specialedition/32/5714_2.png) [@Specialedition](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Specialedition)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/2 "2009-04-29T20:15:52Z")
well could be a simple valve cover leaking from behind the engine, I dont knwo if you have an sr or not but if you do your turbo might be leaking which can cause oil to be found in the intake manifold. ---
**Author:** ![DoneDreamin](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/donedreamin/32/5678_2.png) [@DoneDreamin](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DoneDreamin)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/3 "2009-04-29T20:37:04Z")
Turbo is on the opposite side of the intake mani ^ What motor? assuming ka? ---
**Author:** ![dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dan_tha_man_103)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 3:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/4 "2009-04-30T03:11:35Z")
sorry yea, ka s14 and im not burning any oil. Cant see any visible oil from the valve cover either ---
**Author:** ![S13GG](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/s13gg/32/5506_2.png) [@S13GG](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/S13GG)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/5 "2009-04-30T04:11:13Z")
front main seal. is the car above 200k? say 250 ish? is your main crank pully and whole lower half of teh motor front oil drenched? KA always need a new main seal between 200-300k my guess due to your alt. being covered ---
**Author:** ![drifft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f475e1/32.png) [@drifft](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drifft)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 5:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/6 "2009-04-30T05:26:50Z")
oil leaking on to your exhaust can lead to engine fire. be carefull ---
**Author:** ![dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dan_tha_man_103)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 10:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/7 "2009-04-30T10:44:31Z")
UPDATE. missunderstood him on the phone because of poor reception. The leak IS behind the Alternator. Now I got something to go on finally. Anymore ideas? Im about to take a good look at a diagram or something to see whats up down there. ---
**Author:** ![S13GG](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/s13gg/32/5506_2.png) [@S13GG](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/S13GG)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 7:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/8 "2009-05-01T07:15:42Z")
only things over there are the oil filter mount and or timing chain cover or oil pan, which untampered with should not leak. front main seal is my vote > [@NYSpeed trading cards...](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/nyspeed-trading-cards/21775/17): > > UPDATE. > > missunderstood him on the phone because of poor reception. The leak IS behind the Alternator. Now I got something to go on finally. Anymore ideas? Im about to take a good look at a diagram or something to see whats up down there. ---
**Author:** ![Specialedition](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/specialedition/32/5714_2.png) [@Specialedition](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Specialedition)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 7:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/9 "2009-05-01T07:33:52Z")
> [@FS: 2001 ski-doo 800 adrenaline](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-2001-ski-doo-800-adrenaline/21402/12): > > Turbo is on the opposite side of the intake mani ^ > > What motor? assuming ka? wow my bad, i ment to say ic piping not intake mani ---
**Author:** ![dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dan_tha_man_103)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 2:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/10 "2009-05-01T14:12:38Z")
how the heck do I take off this stupid main connector on the alternator? only the red part comes out right?? as you can see, i went a bit crazy on it. ![http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c220/Chewwie_103/IMG_0387.jpg](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c220/Chewwie_103/IMG_0387.jpg) and how hard is it to replace the main seal? done in a day?? :/: And heres some more pics, thats where the main seal is located right? (hopefully cause ill feel like an IDIOT) ![http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c220/Chewwie_103/IMG00687.jpg](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c220/Chewwie_103/IMG00687.jpg) ![http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c220/Chewwie_103/IMG00688.jpg](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c220/Chewwie_103/IMG00688.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![sidewayz240](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@sidewayz240](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sidewayz240)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/11 "2009-05-01T15:16:43Z")
So where is this oil were supposed to be looking at? Looks clean to me under there. And no, remove the whole plug, including grey part. ---
**Author:** ![spynn56](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spynn56/32/5638_2.png) [@spynn56](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/spynn56)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/12 "2009-05-01T15:24:34Z")
It does look super clean. How much work is a main seal anyway? ---
**Author:** ![dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dan_tha_man_103)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/13 "2009-05-01T15:32:24Z")
> [@NEED HEDGEHOG ASAP](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-hedgehog-asap/21809/9): > > So where is this oil were supposed to be looking at? Looks clean to me under there. > > And no, remove the whole plug, including grey part. INORIGHT?! there IS fresh oil all over the bar bushing there (sway bar?). and thanks haha, that stupid thing was pissing me off. is canadian tire retarded you think? what else could be causeing my alt to die all the time? there was quite a bit of oil under there before they cleaned it though ![http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c220/Chewwie_103/Picture004.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/f/3/f304fa7e210fd5ed7b6ec3073d9d52960a453073.jpeg) In this pic, near the base of the strut tower, i scooped up 1/4" of oil accumulation. But the alt seems spotless. ---
**Author:** ![spynn56](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spynn56/32/5638_2.png) [@spynn56](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/spynn56)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 3:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/14 "2009-05-01T15:34:54Z")
KA alternators die ALL the time, replace it, move on with life. I have not known anybody with an s13 who didnt replace the alternator. edit: Red band ones more prone to breakage, or is that just silly? (went through 2 red band, green band was fine) ---
**Author:** ![dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dan_tha_man_103)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/15 "2009-05-01T15:41:50Z")
> [@who the fack?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-the-fack/21803/31): > > KA alternators die ALL the time, replace it, move on with life. I have not known anybody with an s13 who didnt replace the alternator. > > edit: Red band ones more prone to breakage, or is that just silly? (went through 2 red band, green band was fine) yea im gonna do that once more, then if it happens again im gonna be super pissed. Its just the 1L oil gone in 2 weeks im worried about now. ---
**Author:** ![spynn56](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spynn56/32/5638_2.png) [@spynn56](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/spynn56)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/16 "2009-05-01T15:46:20Z")
Burning? Is it leaking somewhere else? Main seal again? List a few more things about your car: 1. Ka42de or ka42e 2. kms? 3. mods? ---
**Author:** ![dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dan_tha_man_103)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/17 "2009-05-01T15:48:04Z")
> [@WTB: Cingular phone](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wtb-cingular-phone/20789/12): > > Burning? Is it leaking somewhere else? Main seal again? > > List a few more things about your car: > > 1. Ka42de or ka42e > 2. kms? > 3. mods? Not burning, just leaking. de, 150,xxxkm, coilovers (I bottom out a few times, but the pan isnt in rough shape.) ---
**Author:** ![spynn56](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spynn56/32/5638_2.png) [@spynn56](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/spynn56)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/18 "2009-05-01T15:51:14Z")
Still could have been enough to break the seal of the pan on the bottom end. Closer inspection on where the leaks are is gonna be necessary here, and how bad they are. Sounds like something has a hairline crack, wont really be able to see it, but will leak REALLY bad. Had a transmission done by mr transmission one time, looked fine, bolted it back in the car. week later, was EMPTY. they didnt tighten down ANY of the bolts, 2 had fallen out. Looks can be deceiving on your oilpan. ---
**Author:** ![dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@dan\_tha\_man\_103](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dan_tha_man_103)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/19 "2009-05-01T15:55:51Z")
> [@who the fack?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-the-fack/21803/32): > > Still could have been enough to break the seal of the pan on the bottom end. Closer inspection on where the leaks are is gonna be necessary here, and how bad they are. Sounds like something has a hairline crack, wont really be able to see it, but will leak REALLY bad. Had a transmission done by mr transmission one time, looked fine, bolted it back in the car. week later, was EMPTY. they didnt tighten down ANY of the bolts, 2 had fallen out. Looks can be deceiving on your oilpan. alright, thanks man. Also, if it were the oil pan, it shouldnt really leak onto the strut tower and alt right? Anywho, i think I got enough of an idea to start some troubleshooting ---
**Author:** ![sidewayz240](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@sidewayz240](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sidewayz240)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999/20 "2009-05-01T16:03:32Z")
if that is actually oil buildup on your strut tower and not just rustproofing or undercoating then I’d say almost for sure its the front main. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-leak-behind-exhaust-manifold/123999.md?page=2)