Engine oil additives and cam cover leak

[mowlas]

Who services the car and when was it last done? They should check for any leaks anywhere (oil, water, brake fluid, power steering fluid) when the car is up in the air and the technician is standing underneath.

My guess is the spotting on the driveway is more likely a leak lower down.

Autofficina serviced it last - very professional and collaborative. They have solved power steering leaks but diagnosed the cam covers as a possible source of remaining leak. I’ll do some more investigation and report back!

 

[Sam McGoo]

Autofficina serviced it last - very professional and collaborative. They have solved power steering leaks but diagnosed the cam covers as a possible source of remaining leak. I’ll do some more investigation and report back!

If you get the car on axle stands you can lay down and shine a torch up onto the rear corners of the cam covers. That seems to be where it normally tracks too.
Although as you said you've never smelt any burning oil (from it dripping onto manifolds) I'd be surprised if it was there.
The front engine casing is another common leak point. So have a look there too.

 

[mowlas]

Well the mirror inspection kit arrived and I’ll be doing some investigations and reporting back here soon. Thanks for the inspiration to invest in this @philw696! I suspect you’ve started my journey into being curious about and able to tackle some of the maintenance under the hood now! @midlifecrisis, I know I should have bought this at the local motor factors but just didn’t have the time this week!

 

[philw696]

Well the mirror inspection kit arrived and I’ll be doing some investigations and reporting back here soon. Thanks for the inspiration to invest in this @philw696! I suspect you’ve started my journey into being curious about and able to tackle some of the maintenance under the hood now! @midlifecrisis, I know I should have bought this at the local motor factors but just didn’t have the time this week!

View attachment 102224

Nice One useful bit of kit there especially the telescopic magnet.
All for supporting local but from my experiences today you probably couldn't find a kit like that and it would have to be ordered in.
My old home town used to have two engineering tools and consumables businesses when I last lived there and would like to think they are still there.

 

[mjheathcote]

Nice One useful bit of kit there especially the telescopic magnet.
All for supporting local but from my experiences today you probably couldn't find a kit like that and it would have to be ordered in.
My old home town used to have two engineering tools and consumables businesses when I last lived there and would like to think they are still there.

I aways give my local motor factor's the opportunity.
Many times they are actually cheaper and can get in stock later that day or the next day.
After all, they do supply all the independent general garages in the area so need to be.
On line is certainly not necessarily the cheapest or quickest.

 

[philw696]

I aways give my local motor factor's the opportunity.
Many times they are actually cheaper and can get in stock later that day or the next day.
After all, they do supply all the independent general garages in the area so need to be.
On line is certainly not necessarily the cheapest or quickest.

Good to hear Mike.
Certainly people in the Trade I keep in touch with tell me independent factors are disappearing and Euro Car Parts taking over and not everyone happy sadly.

 

[jebroni]

I’ll second checking the front engine/crank seal as mine was leaking here to & you may find oil collecting in the undertray.

 

[JMS]

By coincidence my GT has gone to Shiltech today for cam cover gaskets/solenoid gaskets/spark plug gaskets.
This was on the recommendation of the PPI at Nuvola, which showed the drip below. I’m not getting a smell from it dripping on exhaust, but there are spots on garage floor. Dipstick level has not changed.


I’m getting the subframe corrosion protected at the same time and a couple of other bits & bobs, but happy to share pricing when I get the invoice tomorrow.

First time using Shiltech, hopefully their reputation will make it worth travelling a bit further to them.

 

[mowlas]

By coincidence my GT has gone to Shiltech today for cam cover gaskets/solenoid gaskets/spark plug gaskets.
This was on the recommendation of the PPI at Nuvola, which showed the drip below. I’m not getting a smell from it dripping on exhaust, but there are spots on garage floor. Dipstick level has not changed.
View attachment 102301

I’m getting the subframe corrosion protected at the same time and a couple of other bits & bobs, but happy to share pricing when I get the invoice tomorrow.

First time using Shiltech, hopefully their reputation will make it worth travelling a bit further to them.

That's really helpful - good to know from others with very similar symptoms! Much appreciated! I'll report back on my findings.

Good luck with the repairs - I bet it will feel ace to know she's getting into good condition for the longer term!

 

[JMS]

That's really helpful - good to know from others with very similar symptoms! Much appreciated! I'll report back on my findings.

Good luck with the repairs - I bet it will feel ace to know she's getting into good condition for the longer term!

Shiltech very reasonable pricing & I plan on using them for servicing.
No other issues pointed out with the car (I’m undecided if that’s good or bad!)
Still got a TPMS dashboard light though - turns out I needed 2, not just 1.

 

[mowlas]

By coincidence my GT has gone to Shiltech today for cam cover gaskets/solenoid gaskets/spark plug gaskets.
This was on the recommendation of the PPI at Nuvola, which showed the drip below. I’m not getting a smell from it dripping on exhaust, but there are spots on garage floor. Dipstick level has not changed.
View attachment 102301

I’m getting the subframe corrosion protected at the same time and a couple of other bits & bobs, but happy to share pricing when I get the invoice tomorrow.

First time using Shiltech, hopefully their reputation will make it worth travelling a bit further to them.

Hi @JMS out of interest, has the leak remained stopped?

 

[JMS]

All good - no more drips - the price for cam cover gaskets and waxoyl on subframe was exactly the same as I managed to negotiate from the private seller so it all worked out.