Rocker cover and Cas gaskets replaced still leaking

[rs4al]

Well had the MX5 for a week'ish now, on buying it noticed an oil leak so got that sorted at the mx5restorer, he replaced the rocker cover gasket and cas o ring and off I drove.

Just been out for a drive and noticed a bit of oil on the driveway, will investigate tomorrow as car is not parked at home but was wondering if an oil leak has been leaking for a while (the rocker cover gasket was pinched so maybe has leaked since installation, approx a year ago) would the residual oil still be dripping off the engine when warm ?

will report further findings tomorrow once I can get a trolley jack that will fit under the car as mine won't !

[MG CHRIS]

Could be existing oil that has dripped down, did the mechanic fitted pattern parts instead of genuine oem parts, not applied silcone around the areas that are needed or the bolts haven't been tightened correctly. Or it could be another leak from another area.

[rs4al]

Right cleaned as much crap off engine, took it for a run and there was a nice leak to greet me when it got on the ramp, seems to be coming from the back of the engine by the ignition coil.

Could it be the head gasket leaking oil ? the leak is too big to ignore unfortunately so what sort of cost am I looking at to get the head off ?

[gdaybruce]

You need to be as certain as possible of where it's coming from but it's a very tight space at the back of the enging to get a good look - a small mirror and a light might help. However, if it's coming from the back of the engine one possibility is the rear crank seal, which would typically result in oil dripping from the join between the bellhousing and the engine. If you're sure it's coming from higher up, however, then the cam cover or the Cam Angle Sensor remain strong suspects, notwithstanding that they've been changed already. I think the head gasket is less likely to be the culprit, especially if the engine is running fine. Can you see if the oil is coming from the head to block join?

For starters, I'd check the cam cover gasket and the tightness of the cam cover bolts. The bolts only require a light torque but they do need to be slightly more than finger tight! I once fitted a gasket only for it to leak and on investigation it had moved out of its seat slightly as I fitted the cover so I know that that is a possiblity! Also, as said above, you need a small blob of silicone sealent in the corners where the gasket goes over the bearing housings for the cams.

Start with the cheap solutions and work up to the expensive ones like the head gasket or the rear crank seal. Good luck!

[rs4al]

Was the cam cover gasket ! It was pinched in exactly the same place as the one that came out, new one fitted, fingers crossed.