Oil leak - looking for hints

[John_W]

Ian,
From your photos it is clear that this should cost about a tenner to fix. It is NOT the head gasket. Also I wouldn't go back to that garage.

Just go to your USA Isuzu dealers or call SJ and ask for "'O' RING CAM ANGLE SENSOR to HEAD A100E6562S (£4.14 each)". Or order on the SJ website http://www.sjsportscars.co.uk/home.asp . You'll need two.

See :
http://www.lotuselancentral.com/forum/v ... =ring#8126

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/lec/camseal.htm

John

[Doug]

go John! Helpful as ever

[Monty]

Yep thats the cam cover seal, try tightning the bolts up sometimes they work lose. If not it`s an easy job to replace.

Change both cam O rings, ie the CAS and the one further back were the plastic plug is. All jobs u can do for u`r self

[PaulN]

What a great site, Its so good knowing there are well informed people at hand nearly 24/7.

Garage = $10k
Lotus Elan Cetral = £10

Smashing

Cheers

PaulN

[Guest]

Cheers guys,

Doug - thanks, I'd not figured that wasn't the head gasket, my numpty skills to the fore.... I'll check the service manual later and find out where it is for future reference.

All - I will definitely check that CAS seal, and check out my Isuzu dealership. I know we've at least one locally, next Lotus dealership is two States away!

Thanks for the advice, and reassuring words.
Ian

[Sy V]

Do not overtighten the bolts (torque figures in Manual). Neither the bolts nor the valve cover are up to any overtightening.

[John_W]

Ian,
These pictures show an O-ring which has done about 50,000 miles. You may just be able to make out that the outer circumference has become slightly flattened. This has happened with age and allows oil to leak past it.

The new ones you get should be nice and round in cross-section.

John

[TheBard]

Sy, John,

Thanks for the advice, I have managed to order the seals from my local Advance Auto parts store, total cost $10.60, and they'll have them Saturday. The part is a different part number as it is not the Isuzu item but an alternate manufacturer, I'll compare with John's picture for size and scale, and if they match will post the details in the parts cross-ref.

And the plot thickens as I've discovered my vehicle registration (DVLA documents for those back home) and insurance documents which have to be in the vehicle over here, were stolen whilst it was at the garage. I won't be returning there for more work right away!!! The complaints have been delivered though.

Thanks again,
Ian

[Dico]

Mine leaked in exactly the same place as in your first pic i.e. under the cas. It turned out it was the rear cam blanking plug at fault.
Try this first prior to messing around with your cas as its easier.

P.s.

The 'O' ring i was sent seemed a poor fit so i added some gasket sealant also, and it hasnt leaked since.

[TheBard]

Okay, in my father-in-law's words "It took an English half hour to fix."

In that we discovered on removal that we had the wrong o-ring, and had to trawl around for a parts store open on Sunday afternoons to find a better fitting, and more akin to the original, replacement.

That said, once we had the parts and the tools, the job itself is quick and easy, and the car ran afterwards, so a result I'll be checking for any fluid loss as the week progresses.

Ian's Project Tip: Surgical forceps like these http://www.krystalkut.com/50845000.jpg are the ideal tool for carefully grasping the bolt and washers and preventing their drop into the bowels of the engine. They are also handy tools for guiding everything back togther again.

Before anyone asks why I have forceps in my tool kit, my father-in-law used to drive an MGB in his youth, and has three sets of these forceps for engine tinkering purposes! That is his excuse, and he is sticking to it