FireCode

iTrader: (1)

Not too long ago, I noticed white smoke coming up from under the passenger side of the car. After a quick look, I could tell the passenger catalytic converter had oil on it, thus the cause of the white smoke. I had originally only changed the drivers side valve cover gasket last year (didn't have time for the passenger side) but knew the passenger valve cover was leaking at the last bolt near the firewall. Directly under that is the cat.

So, this weekend, I changed out the passenger valve cover gasket ( no more leaking from there)....and....oil is somehow still getting on the passenger side catalytic converter...seems to be less now though.

So my question is...What in the world is on the back side of the engine that would leak a slow amount of oil when driving down to the passenger side cat?

Forgot to mention...when changing the tranny pan gasket last weekend, I tried to look up from underneath to see if I could identify the specific locaiton but I couldn't really see anything. Too much stuff in the way.

xspsi6

iTrader: (31)

Cam seals and the little rubber "puck" that goes in the v/c.

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

It isn't leaking down, it's blowing back.

FireCode

iTrader: (1)

Hmm. I'm pretty sure I had the front ones changed when I had the timinng belt, etc. changed (I'll need to pull up my parts list to verify)

So what are we talking with replacing the rear cam seals? Money wise? Is this a DIY job?

Just did a little reading. If it is the rear cam seals, I sure hope that doesn't involve removing the cams themselves....If that were the case... WOW- big money.

xspsi6

iTrader: (31)

This could be as well.

FireCode

iTrader: (1)

If it is blowing back from somewhere, I don't know where it is coming from. I'll go check tomorrow and see if I can feel the back side of the valve cover down the fire wall a little to see if it is wet with oil. It really seems like it is coming from somewhere lower on the engine...I'll pull off that underbody cover and have a good long look tomorrow. Only other thing I could think of is oil pans (upper or lower). Probably wouldn't hurt to change the lower gasket anyway. Upper = different story. It's not the rear main I don't believe...wrong location.

xspsi6

iTrader: (31)

The best thing to do would be to degrease and power wash the engine bay and underbody then look for the trail.

sc101

Damn im having the exact same problem and the same dripping of oil on the passenger cat

FireCode

iTrader: (1)

Looks like the problem is fixed. Got under the car and determined is was def. not blow back (although good suggestion by OLT). There just wasn't any oil leaking from anywhere. What I determined is the oil that was getting on the cat. converter after the valve cover change was residual oil from the leak. I felt the back of the engine as best as I could to see if the cam seals were leaking and it was dry.

So I just sprayed a ton of engine degreaser and tried to squeeze my arm down and up under the vavle covers, and then cleaned the cat. converter as best I could...Happy to say after a long drive, no oil was on the coverter!

sc101...if your passenger side valve cover is leaking at the very rear bolt near your heater control valve, that is probably your problem. It's an eays DIY fix though.