Help w/oil leak on 4kq

[Huw Powell]

> I've got this nagging oil leak primarily near the front of the engine along
> the driver's side(USA) just where the oil pan meets the block.  The whole
> driver's side of the oil pan is coated with oil, and also the first few
> inches of the block(to just past the height of the oil pressure
> switch(sensor?)) above the block/pan interface.
> 
> This may sound like an obvious oil pan gasket failure, but here are the
> specifics:
> --no dripping onto the ground when the car sits overnight.

it wouldn't drip since that is the "uphill" side - no oil there unless
the engine is running.

> --pulled the upper cam belt cover and looked down into the the front crank
> seal area.
>   The whole inside area is oil free, and no oil appears on the bottom outside
> of the
>   lower cam belt cover.  This should mean crank oil seal is OK, yes?

sounds good.

> --regarding the oil on the side of the block: will the air moving through the
> engine
>   compartment cause this?

maybe...

> --replaced the TB/water pump 20k miles ago.  Did I not properly tighten a
> bolt
>   somewhere?

again, maybe.  You undo a few oil pump bolts removing the lower cover so
it is possible.

> --finally, can the oil pressure switch fail and leak oil?

If it wants to, yes.

Best way to try to diagnose is to cleanup the mess (brake cleaner, hose,
simple green, etc.) and look for where it starts to show up again.

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/