Oil leaking from supercharger

[Banshee]

http://upload4.postimage.org/441305/oil2.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/441305/photo_hosting.html)


Is this normal?

I'm talking about the oil on the IM

[raceskier]

Banshee,

When I did my initial install I used Hylomar to seal that manifold joint. I got similar oil "weepage". When I did the teardown looking for a big leak, (turned out to be the WI port plug that fell out) I found a fair amount of oil in the manifold. Everyone seemed to think that that oil blowby was normal. I used the Permatex Ultra Copper when I put it back together and have not gotten any leaks since. Didn't seem to have any effect on how it ran though.

[Banshee]

Should I take it apart and reapply ultra black?

[Kyp J]

Should I take it apart and reapply ultra black?

I used ultra black there and due to my engine problems I had a lot of oil in the IM but none showed up outside. I also couldn't get the plate off when I was trying to remove the entire kit to pull the engine. It is stuck real good. I pulled the pump instead.

It would be interesting maybe to see how much oil is inside. I would think it wouldn't be too good for the cat pushing oil through constantly. Someone put some kind of trap in the vent hose on the driver side valve cover. I'm still thinking about it.

[Banshee]

Do you guys see any problem with just leaving it the way it is? I really don't want to pull the supercharger. Do you see it getting worse over time?

[raceskier]

After my experience, I would not bother pulling it. Just clean it up. I don't believe the magnitude of the leak to be great enough to effect boost. The oil trap in the vent line sounds intriuging though. I think J_Man used a Sears lawnmower part for that!

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

That looks like one of those things where 3 drops of oil can spread to look like Lake Erie. I am surprised that you are seeing much oil. I don't think you are actually 'consuming' any oil. It comes from the mist that comes from the PCV valve. Fresh metered air comes in the drivers side of the valve cover and out the PCV. That is the same as the stock Miata. I just changed the oil in my 99 and I had every drop I started with 4000 miles earlier. It's not really 'blow-by'. Just oil mist that forms under the valve cover and swept away by the PCV. If it was blow-by, my 4000 mile old oil wouldn't still look nice and honey colored. When I had the built engine, it had blow by when cold and all I had to do was drive a mile or two and the honey color turned black.

Besides, a little oil mist on the rotor tips helps lubricate them and form a seal. Let me know how much oil you consume in 3000 miles.

[Banshee]

Tom,

Should I uninstall the supercharger and reapply ultra black or copper? I'm not too worried about the oil leak, but more about the air. I remember reading about Ari having a small air leak that eventually ate away the IM.

[Kyp J]

The hose from my drivers side valve cover vent was full of oil and oil was running down the large air hose from the filter it was putting out so much oil. I think I had a lot of blow by. If you pull that vent hose at the valve cover and it isn't oily, I definitely wouldn't worry about it.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Maybe I should include another one of those little restrictors? Moss used to ship one to put in that hose at the drivers side. The PCV valve already acts like a restriction on that side. It would do no harm to put one over there and might stop the splash. The oil over there is from the splash under the valve cover, If you can turn that hose up hill a little bit, it will run back into the valve cover. Still, when you add it all up it is a tablespoon of oil over 3000 miles unless you have a serious engine problem.

Have any of you actually had to add oil to your engine over a 3000 mile oil change?

[Banshee]

I don't have to add any oil so far. I'm just concern with the possible air leak eating away at the IM. Is this a realistic concern?

http://upload4.postimage.org/377896/photo_hosting.html

looks like a lot more oil on the front.

[99mx5]

You might want to check and see if its coming from the nose of the blower.
When I swapped my blower, I noticed oil pooling inside the IM. It is normal to have oil coming from the PCV. The original IM also had oil inside it when it was removed. I read somewhere that Magnuson even says a little oil going through the blower helps lube and cool the rotors.

[99mx5]

I don't have to add any oil so far. I'm just concern with the possible air leak eating away at the IM. Is this a realistic concern?

http://upload4.postimage.org/377896/photo_hosting.html

looks like a lot more oil on the front.


Ive had that happen. The air actually eats away and pits the aluminum. I wouldnt have believed it until I saw it. I had my top plate replaced.

[pat conlon]

I just had lunch with Tom and Cathy here in Palm Desert. They are on their way home as I type this so, hang loose for a couple of hours and they will be home shortly to answer these questions.

I think that a oil catch can installed in line would be a good idea. Many turbo folks use these to keep the oil mist out of their TB's and intake tracks.

FWIW (off topic) I got my first drive in Tom's coldside about 1/2 hour ago.
Quick...Very nice, smooth power buildup. Nice tip in manners in slow parking lot speeds. Very oem like idle, no dip.
108* today in the desert today and nary a ping from Tom's coldside.

Impressive.

Thanks Tom and Cathy.

Pat Conlon, Palm Desert, Ca.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Well, there was a little ping up top but it has the 115mm pulley. I can also add that, when it was on the interstate and 100 MPH and the A/C on, it did have ping accelerating in 6th. I did observe that 100 MPH is only 4500 RPM in 6th. Thank you again for lunch.

Banshee, I don't know what to tell you. I really don't think it is of concern. It could also be, as Ari pointed out, a bit of oil from the shaft seal on the SC. That is extremely fine oil and a couple drops will spread like a gallon of water. It is also just behind the tensioner brace. Take a little ether (starting fluid) and clean the front of the IM and see if it comes back. Also check around the shaft seal and wipe it clean with a little ether on the manifold and see if it comes back.

[Banshee]

Rechecked it tonight and it's coming from the IM. I'm also getting a little leak on the side of the IM. I'm leaning toward pulling the supercharger as I don't want oil getting on the wiring harness.

Tom, how much is the modified plate that holds the 5th injector? If I'm going to pull the supercharger, I may as well change out that plate.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

$72 plus shipping. It will take a couple days to get one made so let me know as soon as possible. I have the spacers but I will have to have the hole machined.

[Banshee]

Thx for the quick response Tom.

Unforntunately this will be the last weekend I'll have to work on the car, ever. Expecting our first little one any time now, and once he's here, there won't be any more time for the miata. Gotta make it right once and for all.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

I have 10 grndchildren and the good part is that I can send them back home. ;) Sadly, there is no way I could get one to you by this weekend.


Edit: By "one" I meant the spacer, not one of my grandchildren. They are all keepers.

[Banshee]

Whew...I finish the uninstall and reinstall. Took a total of 7 hours. I used ultra copper this time, and used a lot more than "Almost none." Hopefully this will work.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

I think the real key is not t e quantity but the time. you need to apply it and immediately stick the two parts together. If it starts to 'skin' over, get a razor blade and scrape it back off. The stuff needs to bond to both parts. I would say that you have 1-2 minutes tops from when you start to apply to when the parts need to be assembled. If you get too much, it will squeeze out and, once it cures, you can simply rub it off with your finger.