Oil leak vs "misting" | FerrariChat

Oil leak vs "misting"

Discussion in '348/355' started by kenneyd, Sep 25, 2017.

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  1. kenneyd

    kenneyd Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2014
    2,001
    NE FL
    Full Name:
    Ken
    Currently have the engine out, and I am putting together a parts order. Car needs a few thing in addition to the normal stuff, (motor mounts, water pump etc).
    I currently have the lower timing gears bearings (170787) as well as the front and rear main seals in my cart and i wanted to run this by the forum before i pulled the trigger.

    My car has never left a single drop of any fluid on the ground. The pan, has no evidence of even the slightest bit of seepage.
    There is however, what I would say nearly every car with mileage on it has on it, 'oil mist' or oil residue covered in a little dirt behind the lower timing gears, and what looks to me the seam between the motor and trans.
    The car has 43,000 miles on it and I really have no way of know if the engine has ever been washed on previous majors (doubt it)
    I am not trying to take shortcuts, I guess what I am saying is, based on reading many posts here i dont think ferrari is particularly known for their seals, would replacing a seal that is not dripping be not only a waste of time, but possible open a can of worms? I say that, because i would have to remove the pan, the front and rear cover and to install new seals that may 'mist' just like the old ones (or worse lol)


    Thanks for the input guys
     
  2. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
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    Orchard Park, NY
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    Dave Lelonek
    The timing "drive" pulleys are at the front of the motor so I'm confused by this as the trans mounts to the rear of the motor - can you clarify?

    I think even the best kept Ferrari will weep a tad of oil. You really need to find the source and evaluate before throwing parts at it. Of course, nothing wrong with preventative seal replacement especially if you have no idea how old they are and you are comfortable doing the work.
     
  3. kenneyd

    kenneyd Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2014
    2,001
    NE FL
    Full Name:
    Ken

    To Clarify, two separate areas of oil residue. One is around the front lower timing gears. The other is at the seam of the trans and motor. That's why I think it might need a rear main seal.
     
  4. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
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    I'd say the drive pulley seals probably need to be changed but you should try and determine for certain they are leaking. Doing the main seal is much more work for sure but easier to do now while it's all out.
     
  5. kenneyd

    kenneyd Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2014
    2,001
    NE FL
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    Ken
    I ended up just buying everything anyway. Little more work, but i'll get to take some cool pictures of the motor i guess lol
    Here is the bottom of the pan on the left, and the trans on the right
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  6. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,839
    North Wiltshire, UK
    leaking oil where?
     
  7. kenneyd

    kenneyd Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2014
    2,001
    NE FL
    Full Name:
    Ken
  8. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
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    That is the typical look of oil mist with road grime. The problem is, you don't know if the leak was fixed prior and someone did not bother to clean the parts after...
     
  9. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
    13,384
    San Carlos, CA
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    Mitchell Le
    Let me jump in and offer my opinion. If there is only a grimy film, I would just clean it up and move on. If there is an active oil leak, drops on the floor kind of leak, then OK fix it if you have a chance to get in there. The rear main seal on a 355 is not an easy fix, you need to know what you are doing. Finally, if you are an over the top Ferrari owner who has to have a clean engine even at the bottom of the car, then by all means have at it.

    A few persons on here agree with me that there is no point in polishing a cannonball.
     
  10. kenneyd

    kenneyd Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2014
    2,001
    NE FL
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    Ken
    Thanks for the comments guys.
    I guess I don't need an oil pan so-clean-you-could-eat-off-it, however i dont want a engine that drips, nor one that is all caked up with grime like an 80s truck.
    Again, my car has over 40k miles, never a single drip in my 3 years of owning the it and in my experience the grime is maybe only a tad more than is should for almost 20 years of driving.

    The car had 2 majors done by ferrari of altanta, and one done by a ferrari shop in south florida, no mention of these seals being done on the history.



    The only thing I am convinced off right now is, I want to absolutely "do it right". Maybe its the pride, or the aircraft mechanic in me.
    The parts are already on their way so I have them if i need them. It would be very easy to give it a good cleaning and wait till the next major the address them, I guess it might help avoid unnecessary repairs.
    I took some more detailed pictures that hopefully illustrate why i thought it might be prudent to do this time around. The flash really over-emphasizes the grime, and the front is only wet for the coolant hoses leaking from the engine out. Let me know what you think Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  11. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Nov 23, 2012
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    Kenny - based on the last set of photos, the source may be hard to find as it does look like years of build up road grime. I'd guess most motors look like this.

    At a minimum, I would clean every thing up real wheel ("polish the cannonball") and they you can keep an eye on it going forward. I think with the motor out, non running, it may be hard to find any / all leaks..
     
  12. kenneyd

    kenneyd Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2014
    2,001
    NE FL
    Full Name:
    Ken
    Thanks,
    I suppose if i do decide to skip on the rear main and worst case it starts leaking like crazy, my labor rate is $0 lol. The engine out was actually much easier than expected.
     
  13. krazykarguy

    krazykarguy Formula Junior

    Apr 17, 2014
    731
    Fort Mill, SC
    Full Name:
    Matt
    FWIW, every time I ever did a timing belt on numerous other cars, there is always a 'mist' of oil somewhere behind the timing covers. This is likely within the leakage tolerances of the seals. The older the seal, the larger the tolerances become.

    Typically I would only worry about a 'wet' leak, but if there is any suspicion that these are original to the car, replace them. Seals are cheap insurance.
     

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