Timing Cover Leak?
 

Discovered a small pool of oil had leaked onto the garage floor.

Took it in to the dealership this AM. They're saying the front cover is where the leak is.

Anyone have an useful links or info re: this issue? I've searched and can't find much.

My 2006 car has 14K miles. Yes, that's only 14K. Has seen about 3 years of track duty though and I'm running Mobil 1.

Guess I'll be missing Buttonwillow this weekend! Sh*t!!

Is the timing seal a weak link on our cars?

Thanks for any input you might have.

Tony

what? Timing cover?

UuuMMM a Rotary has no Timing Cover.... :rollingla

:suspect:

He means the front cover...the place where an ordinary engine would have a timing cover. If you guys want to go into bash mode, I think he also posted this in another place yesterday.

Anyway, isn't this the place where Expo1's engine leaked, leading to his rebuild? As I recall, that happend after 100K and also correlated with track running.

Ken

No this is not a common failure and in fact other than the front main seal there is not really any place for oil to leak from on the front cover. The gasket is made of metal and will not just suddenly fail or start leaking. Even if it did it would be a VERY slow seep and not an actual leak.

I guess its possible you could have an oil pan leak at the front edge also.

I am forced to wonder...if you are one of these owners who is not mechanically inclined enough to find your own leak and service your own engine, what business do you have running the car at a track?

It would be good to know where the leak is exactly.
Is it the front main Eccentric shaft seal? Is it leaking at the OMP? If it is, is it the OMP or the gasket between the OMP and the front cover or the OMP lines? Is it the gasket between the front cover and front cast iron?
Or is it the seal between the oil pan and front cover?

Makes a big difference as to where the leak is as to the repair procedure.

Thanks Ken and yes should be front cover not timing.

Sorry guys. Didn't post this anywhere else though.

Thanks for the info. I thought it was an oil pan leak myself but the dealership claims otherwise. It is still under warranty.

I'm definitely a better driver than mechanic...didn't think one was required to do the other...

Thanks Easy-this was a helpful post.

Okay- They've ordered the OMP O-ring, and 4 other gaskets along with the front cover big gasket. Apparently found to be leaking at the OMP. Parts guy says a rare location for failure as was the rear diff he ordered for a Miata earlier today.