95 ZR1 Oil Leak Question

[KJL]

I just purchased a 95 ZR1. I noticed some oil pooling in the narrow pockets in between the intake and valve cover. I am fairly sure the oil is not coming from the valve covers but looks to be coming from the area where the lower intake runners mate with the intake manifold. I cleaned all the oil out and only running the car to warm it up seems to be enough where more oil is finding its way there. To replace this gasket looks like a major PITA. Is this a common problem?

Does anyone know of a person in the Atlanta GA area that is familiar with these cars that does good work?

Thanks.

[Ronstar]

There is a rubber grommet on the side of injector housing just below intake runners near rear of motor on both sides. These are prone to let a little oil seep past if installed incorrectly or just age. Standard grommet available at most auto parts stores or I'm sure Jerry has them

[KJL]

Thanks, this leak is on the side of the engine. I wish I could post a picture of it.

[Ronstar]

That's what I'm saying. Side of engine just above "valve covers" just below "intake runners". Oil will run down and pool up in crevice at base of injector housing

[KJL]

OK, I will check those but this in at the mid-point of the engine. I am curious why oil would be coming out of the intake runner gasket area regardless, if that is where it is coming from. Maybe it is coming from the valve cover and traveling along the edge.

[Ronstar]

If you look closely you will see that top portion of the intake runners (plenum) goes downward and connects to the "lower runners" this is the injector housing. The black grommet comes out the side of the injector housing on each side of engine. These are prone to leak and I would bet that is your problem.
Hard to explain without pics but the lower portion of injector housing is open to crankcase to help with crankcase ventilation and oil IS present there.
Maybe someone smarter than me can post pics of what I am trying to describe.

Or call me. 810-625-0948. I can send pics from my phone

[KJL]

Are these the grommets you are referring too? I checked them but maybe not close enough. It would seem to me that the gasketed areas should be "sucking" not "blowing" regardless. Hmmmm.

To upload a pic you need to press the "Post Reply" button at the top of the original message. Then goto "Manage Attachments", browse and upload. I converted my pic to a 600dpi pdf.

Thanks for your help.

[Ronstar]

Those are the ones. The lower "chamber" in the injector housing is seperated from the intake runners. It is open to crankcase below. Definitely sees oil and pressure. Had this problem on mine,although it didn't look like the grommets were bad. Oil would pool up in the little crevice below there and above the cam covers. Put in new grommets and no more oil. If that is where your oil is collecting it almost has to be those grommets. Unless the cam cover is leaking which would be unlikely

[KJL]

I closely checked the grommets and can find no signs of oil leaking there. It is bone dry around the grommets. I discovered the cam cover bolts were not very tight and snugged all of them up but still , oil is collecting in those spaces. That would leave the the only other source being the injector housing to head connection. This area is wet and I was hoping the oil was coming from else where. It still strikes me as odd with this being the intake, this area should be in vacuum.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by KJL

That would leave the the only other source being the injector housing to head connection. This area is wet and I was hoping the oil was coming from else where. It still strikes me as odd with this being the intake, this area should be in vacuum.

Crankcase Ventilation Cover is another source of oil leaks under the Plenum.

In answere to your other question on CF regarding Cam Cover Removal engine in car......
Cam cover bolt removal tools
Cam Cover Installation Tricks
Cam Cover Vent Material
Removing cam cover bolts
Cam cover bolt washers
Cam cover dowty washers
Cam cover vent material
Cam cover SS vent material
Cam cover sealant A136
Cam Cover Filters

In regard to removing Cam Covers Engine In Car, you have to make sure you keep solid pressure on the Torx or Allen if you have replaced Torx with Allen. And yes...there IS room to lift up and over.....the hard part is cleaning up the mating surfaces of oil especially the end camshaft rubber grommets and reapplying Loctite 518 Use of thread Lubricants, Loctite and Sealants